Visual & Interface Accommodations
Customize the viva interface for accessibility needs. Some options are instructor-configured, while others can be set by students directly.
Who Can Configure What
Instructors Can Set
These apply permanently to a specific student across all future vivas. Configured via the Accommodations modal when viewing a student profile.
- • High contrast
- • Large buttons
- • Keyboard shortcuts
Students Can Set Themselves
These affect only the student's own interface and require no instructor approval. Configured from the Settings & Preferences page.
- • High contrast
- • Large buttons
- • Keyboard shortcuts
- • Focus indicators (default on)
- • Question text-to-speech (default on)
- • Hide timers
- • Prep time bar visibility
- • Noise suppression (default on)
Note: If an instructor enables an interface accommodation, it applies automatically. If both instructor and student configure the same option, the accommodation is enabled (either setting it on will turn it on).
Instructor View: Accommodations Modal
Instructors access the Accommodations modal by clicking the "Manage" button on a student's profile. The modal has three columns: Timing, Response options, and Interface aids. The visual accommodations are in the Interface aids column.
Accessibility & Accommodations
Applies to new viva sessions for this student.
Timing
Prep and record durations are increased by the selected percentage.
Response options
Student may type instead of recording audio.
Enable re-recording to reduce anxiety or correct mistakes.
Permit pausing during recording to accommodate breaks.
Interface aids
Increase contrast to improve readability.
Increase hit targets for motor accessibility.
Enable keyboard controls during viva (e.g., Space to stop, R to re-record).
Notes: Changes apply to new sessions created after saving. Existing sessions are not modified.
Interface Aids (Instructor-Set)
These three options appear in the Accommodations modal's "Interface aids" column:
High Contrast
Increases contrast throughout the viva interface to improve readability. Useful for students with visual impairments or those who find standard contrast difficult to read.
Large Buttons
Increases button size and spacing for easier clicking or tapping. Helps students with motor accessibility needs or those using assistive devices.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Enables keyboard controls during the viva recording phase. Available shortcuts:
- Space: Stop recording
- R: Re-record
- S: Submit
Student View: Settings & Preferences
Students access their settings from the main navigation. These preferences affect only their own interface and do not require instructor approval.
Settings & Preferences
These affect your own interface only and do not require instructor approval.
Need academic accommodations? Your instructor can set official accommodations on your behalf. Request accommodations.
Increase contrast to improve readability.
Increase button size and spacing for easier clicking or tapping.
Enable keyboard controls in viva sessions (Space to stop, R to re-record, S to submit).
Show visible outlines when navigating with the keyboard.
Hear each question read aloud during prep.
Reduce anxiety by hiding countdown timers during the viva.
Off by default. When off, the prep timer appears only in the final 10 seconds.
Reduce background noise from your microphone during recordings.
Student-Only Preferences
These options are only available for students to configure themselves. Instructors cannot set them on behalf of students.
Focus Indicators
(default: on)Shows visible outlines around elements when navigating with the keyboard. Essential for users who rely on keyboard navigation instead of a mouse.
Question Text-to-Speech (default: on)
Questions are read aloud during the preparation phase. Students can choose from multiple TTS voices: Default, Alloy, Nova, Shimmer, or Onyx.
Hide Timers
Hides countdown timers during the viva to reduce anxiety. This is a quality-of-life feature that does NOT extend actual time limits.
Prep Time Bar Visibility
By default, the prep timer appears only in the final 10 seconds. Students can change this to show the timer for the full preparation duration.
Noise Suppression (default: on)
Reduces background noise from the microphone during recordings. Helpful for students in shared spaces or noisy environments. Turn off if you need to capture ambient audio or if suppression is affecting audio quality.
Accessibility Information
Both instructors and students can access VivaEdu's accessibility policies. The "Accessibility Info" button opens a modal with links to the full Accessibility Statement and Reasonable Adjustments Policy.
You can adjust interface preferences from your profile. For institutional accommodations, please contact your instructor.
What These Policies Cover
Future: Automated Accommodation Matching
ARIMA
Coming SoonAutomated Reasonable Adjustment Matching and Implementation Assistant
ARIMA will automatically analyze student needs and suggest appropriate accommodations. The system will streamline the accommodation setup process by matching documented requirements to available VivaEdu options.
Status: In development as of January 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: If I turn on high contrast myself, will my instructor see it?
No. Student-set preferences affect only your own view of the interface. Your instructor sees only the accommodations they configured in your profile.
Q: Does "Hide Timers" give me extra time?
No. This setting only hides the visible countdown. The actual time limits remain unchanged. If you need extra time, ask your instructor for an Extended Time accommodation.
Q: Can I request that my instructor enable accommodations for me?
Yes. From your Settings & Preferences page, click the "Request accommodations" link to send a message to your instructor explaining what you need.
Q: When do instructor-set accommodations take effect?
Accommodations apply to new viva sessions created after saving. Existing sessions are not modified. If you need accommodations for an in-progress viva, contact your instructor about a redo.
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