Making your course materials accessible is ongoing work. Don't start with everything. Just start with one thing.
Below are five common course components, and five fixes you can make now. Each fix has an important impact on course accessibility, and can be done using tools you already have.
Focus on the next action and help us continue progress towards a more inclusive learning environment.
Convert Syllabus to Canvas Page
Why it Matters
Syllabus documents in PDF format may have accessibility barriers for learners using assistive technologies or mobile devices. Convert your syllabus to a Canvas Page to improve readability and accessibility for all students.
Quick Fix
Replace your syllabus PDF with a Canvas Page (HTML).
How to
- Copy your syllabus text into a Canvas Page.
- Open the text editor and select the Panorama icon. Check and improve accessibility before publishing.
Next Time
Create your next syllabus by starting with a Template for Accessible Documents. In Google, use Grackle to check and improve accessibility. In Word, use the built-in Microsoft Accessibility checker. When sharing, you can set access restrictions for Word or Google docs to prevent users from editing the document.
Add Library Link to Course Reading
Why it Matters
Scanned documents and downloaded files may have accessibility barriers for learners using assistive technologies or mobile devices.
Quick Fix
Include a direct library link to the required reading or resource.
How to
- In Canvas, insert a link to a library resource.
Next Time
Consider guidance in Canvas Courses Best Practices on how to approach accessible course readings and other required materials.
Check Captions for Lecture Recording
Why it Matters
Captions make video content more accessible for students who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing, watching in a noisy environment, or less familiar with the language or subject.
Quick Fix
Review captions for one lecture to ensure quality and accuracy.
How to
- Select your next lecture recording or use Panorama’s Video Accessibility Report to identify missing or inaccurate captions
- If captions are missing, order machine-generated captions for your video in MiVideo
- Review your captions in MiVideo for accuracy and, if necessary, Edit Captions in Canvas or Mediaspace to improve quality
Next Time
Review how to Make Video & Audio Accessible for detailed information on accessible lecture recordings and other video.
Add Alt Text to All Images
Why it Matters
Alt text makes images (photos, diagrams, logos) accessible by providing a meaningful text alternative for people who can’t see, access, or process the original image.
Quick Fix
Use the AI Alt Text Helper to generate alternative descriptions for all images in your Canvas course.
How to
- Locate the AI Alt Text Helper within Instructor Tools from your course menu
- Follow the AI Alt Text Helper instructions to generate and review the suggested alternative text for each image
Next Time
Next time you add an image to your Canvas course, follow the best practices for writing alternative text.
Improve Links in Canvas Pages
Why it Matters
Link text like “Click Here” or “Read More” doesn't tell students where the link goes, and presents barriers for people using screen readers or skimming content. Meaningful link text makes digital content more accessible and usable for everyone.
Quick Fix
Update one Canvas Page so that all hyperlinks have descriptive link text.
How to
- In Canvas, open the Accessibility Report from the Panorama icon next to your course page, or from the text editor
- Locate issues with hyperlink text in the Accessibility Report by selecting the “Hyperlink text is not descriptive” item
- Select Fix Issue and replace vague phrases (For more information, click here) with meaningful text (For more information go to the Biology Department homepage) then select Add Fix
Next Time
Incorporate meaningful link text into your writing as you create digital documents.
Improve Color Contrast in Slides
Why it Matters
Low color contrast makes slides harder to read for students and colleagues, and especially impacts anyone with visual impairments. Good contrast makes text and information more readable and usable.
Quick Fix
Fix one color contrast issue in your next PowerPoint presentation, using Panorama.
How to
- Find your next PPT file and select the Panorama icon to open the Accessibility Report
- Locate color contrast issues and click Fix Issue
- Use the color picker to select colors that have a contrast ratio of at least 4.5 to 1
- If relevant, apply this change to all examples of the same color combination by selecting “Add change to all instances of this issue.”
- Select Add Fix to replace your file with the updated version.
Next Time
Create accessible slide decks by following Slide Decks Best Practices or using Templates for Accessible Documents.