Panorama is an accessibility tool in Canvas that allows instructors and instructional support staff to create, scan, and fix accessible digital content directly within Canvas.
Here, we’ll cover the basics of getting started with Panorama. You can learn more in our Canvas Accessibility with Panorama course.
Find and Fix Accessibility Barriers in Your Course
The Panorama tool scans Canvas content and attached documents to find accessibility issues. You can then use the tool to fix many of these issues and provide more accessible content to students.
Accessibility Score Icons
Accessibility Score Icons will appear next to items in your course such as pages and files. Select the Accessibility Score icon to access more information and take action to fix issues.
Warning icon:
a low accessibility score below 60%, significant issues may prevent learners from accessing and using content
Caution icon:
a medium accessibility score between 60-90%, some issues may make it difficult for learners to access and use content
Proceed icon:
a high accessibility score above 90%, few or no issues may impact learners
Learn more about the accessibility score icons.
Alternative Formats
All students and instructors have the ability to generate alternative formats for Canvas pages and documents uploaded to the course. These files are individualized and only available to the user who created them. Learn more about the various alternative format options.
Alternative formats are created with automatic file conversions, and may make changes to visual presentation and available information.
Accessibility Report
Select an Accessibility Score Icon to view the Accessibility Report for a specific item, such as a page or file. This includes detailed findings, such as the overall score and the number of minor, major, and severe issues identified.
From the Accessibility Report, review and fix issues in context. You can fix the majority of identified issues by following the instructions provided when you click Fix Issue. You can also click Learn More to get information about the issue, why it’s important to correct, and a video walkthrough of how to fix it.
If you’re working with documents, you can upload new versions through the Accessibility Report to have Panorama immediately scan them. You can also restore older versions of documents if you need to.
Course Report
Review the overall accessibility score for a course by selecting Panorama from the navigation menu and viewing your Course Report. This report contains information on how you’ve improved the accessibility of your course, as well as a list of remaining issues to be addressed.
You can filter issue lists by content type or issue severity, and even search for specific items. The Course Report page also includes a to-do list, where you can add items to work on later.
Create Accessible Canvas Pages
When you are editing a Canvas page, Panorama provides guidance on making content accessible.
Go to the HTML Accessibility Report icon 
beneath the rich text editor. The icon displays the number of barriers identified on your page. Follow Panorama’s recommendations to remediate accessibility barriers.
Improve Document Accessibility
Panorama can help you improve document accessibility in your course.
- Scan and fix existing documents: Panorama scans existing documents in your course and provides guidance for remediation. Learn more about Using the Panorama Remediation Engine
- Generate alternative formats: Panorama can convert documents into alternative formats. Students can independently generate alternative formats of course materials to meet their personal accessibility needs, making learning more adaptable and inclusive.
Additional Resources
- Review all U-M ITS articles about Panorama
- Take the Canvas Accessibility with Panorama course
- Vendor resources
Video: Panorama Overview: Alternative Formats & Accessibility Reports
Get Help
For general questions about Panorama, please contact the ITS Service Center.
For additional support, please contact ITS Canvas Accessibility.