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  1. Respondus Support
  2. LockDown Browser + Respondus Monitor
  3. Accessibility

Accessibility with LockDown Browser

LockDown Browser meets all web content accessibility guidelines, as documented in our Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT). LockDown Browser also works with many assistive technologies, with details listed below.

Screen Readers

  • Windows: The Windows version of LockDown Browser is tested and works with most available screen readers. We recommend using the screen reader NVDA on Windows.

  • Mac: The Mac and iPad versions of LockDown Browser are tested and work with VoiceOver. Voiceover is built into the Mac OS.  More about VoiceOver

  • Chrome OS (Chromebooks): The LockDown Browser for Chromebook Extension is tested and works with ChromeVox. ChromeVox is built into the Chrome OS and can be triggered by using the following key combination: Ctrl+Alt+Z

LockDown Browser's functions and security remain the same when these screen readers are used. LockDown Browser does not block screen readers, and conforms to WCAG 2.1.


Keyboard Navigation

  • There are some keyboard shortcuts that are unique to Respondus LockDown Browser for Windows and macOS. List of keyboard shortcuts


Text-to-Speech (also known as “read aloud” or “literacy” software)

  • Kurzweil ReadTheWeb (Windows and Mac): LockDown Browser offers a built-in Kurzweil ReadTheWeb extension. (Note: There is a known issue with Kurzweil ReadTheWeb reading answer responses.) More about Kurzweil

  • Texthelp Read&Write (Windows): LockDown Browser has a custom integration with Read&Write. When a student is using LockDown Browser, a “lockdown mode” setting will be applied to the Read&Write toolbar, preventing certain features from being used during an exam (e.g., web searches). The reader and Screen Masking functions remain available to students during the exam. More about Read&Write

  • ReadSpeaker webReader for the LMS (Windows and Mac): When WebReader is embedded within a learning system, it will work seamlessly with LockDown Browser with some security limitations (e.g., copy/paste and MP3 downloads are disabled). The reading, masking, and text enlarging functions remain available to students during an exam.  If your institution has a site license of webReader, the Ctrl+r functionality will detect the domain and bring up the webReader widget on top of the web page inside LockDown Browser. 

  • ReadSpeaker TextAid (Windows and Mac): The “bookmarklet” version of TextAid works with LockDown Browser.Pressing Ctrl+r from inside LockDown Browser will bring up the TextAid bookmarklet. 

  • Sensory Readable: The "select and speak" mode of Readable works with LockDown Browser.

  • Speech (MacOS 11.0 or older): Speech works with LockDown Browser, however it does not read multiple choice or true/false answer choices correctly in all LMS integrations. This issue and a potential fix is being investigated.

  • Spoken Content (MacOS 11.0 or newer): Speak Selection will work with LockDown Browser and all LMS integrations, although it works differently than Speech. It requires the use of the hot key (Option + ESC) to read the text audibly. (Note: There is an issue with Canvas Classic Quizzes and Speak Selection during LockDown Browser exams, so we recommend using VoiceOver as an alternative for Classic Quizzes.)

  • Others: Because many text to speech (TTS) applications include advanced functionality that would be considered exploits within LockDown Browser, portions of these programs cannot run on top of a LockDown Browser window. These programs are not blocked, however some functionality may be limited while using LockDown Browser (e.g., Natural Reader).

  • ChromeOS Select-to-Speak: Works with the LockDown Browser, however the navigation controls must be disabled. More about Select-to-Speak


Voice-to-Text

  • Windows Speech Recognition: Works with LockDown Browser, with some limitations. More about Windows Speech Recognition
  • Windows Voice Access:  Students should open Voice Access prior to opening LockDown Browser to use it during an exam. Students can activate Voice Access by saying “Voice Wake Up” and de-activate it by saying “Voice Sleep.”
  • Mac Voice Control: Works with LockDown Browser, with some limitations. More about Mac Voice Control
  • ChromeOS Dictation: Works with LockDown Browser, with some limitations. More about ChromeOS Dictation
  • Nuance Dragon: Dragon is not blocked by LockDown Browser during an exam, but some functionality may be limited. Users have reported that adjusting the settings to turn off the dictation box will allow Dragon to work with LockDown Browser.

Math Accessibility

  • Equatio by Texthelp (Windows): Equatio Desktop can be used with Respondus LockDown Browser to read exam math content while maintaining the security of the testing environment. More about Equatio Desktop

  • Equatio by Lingit (Scandinavian language) More about Equatio by Lingit


Magnification

  • Zoom Text: Zoom Text works during a LockDown Browser exam. 

 

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