ALEKS - Accessibility Accommodations For Visually Impaired Students
Learn about ALEKS accessibility accommodations available for visually impaired students.
This article walks teachers through making adjustments to the Accommodations for students with loss of vision section within ALEKS.
For a full page view of the demo, click here.
For a Spanish version of the demo, click here.
The course setting Accommodations for visually impaired students appears for select ALEKS course products, which include content that has been rewritten and coded to conform to screen-reader technology and level AA Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
Related Article: ALEKS - Student Display Options
Article Contents
Setting Individual Student Accessibility
FAQ
When should an instructor select the Accessibility at the Individual Student Level option?
This scenario is ideal for classes or academic centers that have a mix of students who are visually-impaired and students who are not. Instructors should use this setting if they expect some students in the class to use a screen reader.
What happens when the Individual Student Level option is selected?
Students identified as visually impaired will be able to work on content that has been rewritten and coded to conform to screen-reader technology and level AA WCAG. These students will be prompted to ask for sighted assistance when they encounter topics that are not compatible with screen readers. The Modules/Content Editor shows which topics are accessible, indicated by an Accessible Topic icon. The following features in the student module will also be disabled: eBook and its assets, ALEKS Dictionary, worksheets, calendar, class forum, message center, bilingual toggle, and the ALEKS Calculator.
When should an instructor select the Accessibility at the Class Level option?
This scenario is ideal for classes or academic centers that cater specifically to blind and visually-impaired students. Instructors should use this setting if they expect all students in the class to use screen-reader technology.
What happens when the Class Level option is selected?
The ALEKS course content will be restricted to only include topics that have been rewritten and coded to conform to screen-reader technology and level AA WCAG. Any topics that are not compatible with screen readers will not be included in the ALEKS Pie, nor will they appear to instructors during the class setup. The following features will also be disabled: eBook and its assets, ALEKS Dictionary, worksheets, calendar, class forum, message center, bilingual toggle, and the ALEKS Calculator.
How does an instructor identify individual students as visually impaired?
Make sure all visually impaired students have enrolled in the ALEKS class. Once enrolled, go to the Student Account Summary page for each student.
What are the system requirements for using screen readers with ALEKS?
See Accessibility System Requirements section on the ALEKS System Requirements page for latest system requirements.
Class Accessibility Settings
There are two ways to turn on accessibility for students:
Accessibility at the Individual Student Level (Default Setting): If you expect to have some visually impaired students who require a screen reader in your class, select this option.
Accessibility at the Class Level: If all students in the class are visually impaired and require a screen reader, select this option.
You can also disable automatic progress knowledge checks for the visually impaired students.
New ALEKS View
1. SSO or log in at my.mheducation.com.
2. Launch ALEKS.
3. Select the Class.
4. Click on Class Management.
5. Click Settings from the menu.
6. Click or scroll to the Class Options.
7. In the Class Options section, click the Edit (pencil) button.
8. In the Accessibility section, checkmark the Accommodations for students with loss of vision box.
9. Select the radio button to expect some students with loss of vision requiring a screen reader or all students will have loss of vision.
10. Click the Save button.
Classic ALEKS View
This option is located within the Class Summary section of ALEKS. To learn more about the Class Summary and making adjustments to this section, refer to the Classic ALEKS - Class Summary article.
1. SSO or log in at my.mheducation.com.
2. Launch ALEKS.
3. Select the Class.
4. Hover over Class Administration.
5. Click Class Summary from the menu.
6. In the Class Options section, click Edit.
7. In the Course Specific Settings section, click the Show Accessibility Options link.
8. Select the radio button to expect some students with loss of vision requiring a screen reader or all students will have loss of vision.
9. Click the checkbox to Disable Automatic Progress Knowledge Checks, if preferred.
10. Click the Save button.
Individual Student Accessibility Settings
New ALEKS View
Note: These steps will need to be completed for each visually impaired student.
1. SSO or log in at my.mheducation.com.
2. Launch ALEKS.
3. Select the Class.
4. Select the Student.
5. Click on Student Management.
6. Click on Settings from the menu.
7. Click or scroll to Accessibility.
8. In the Accessibility section, click the Edit (pencil) button.
9. Checkmark the This is a student with loss of vision and requires a screen reader box.
Note: Non-accessible content, including content in ALESK assignments, will be labeled with a "Sighted Assistance Needed" message.
10. Click the Save button.
Classic Aleks View
Note: These steps will need to be completed for each visually impaired student.
1. SSO or log in at my.mheducation.com.
2. Launch ALEKS.
3. Select the Class.
4. Select the Student.
5. Hover over Student Administration.
6. Click Account Summary from the menu.
7. In the Account Settings, click Edit.
8. Checkmark the This is a student with loss of vision and requires a screen reader box.
Note: Non-accessible content, including content in ALESK assignments, will be labeled with a "Sighted Assistance Needed" message.
9. Click the Save button.
