Accessibility: Canvas

General Accessibility Design Guidelines

(Source: Canvas Doc Team)

Key Points

• Utilize headings to delineate sections of pages.

• Add Alt text for all images as well as for inline previews of videos.

• Use descriptive words to describe URL link destinations.

• Make sure all videos are captioned.

• Use the Canvas accessibility checker  in the lower right-hand corner of the Rich Text Editor toolbar. A red circle above the check icon indicates the existence of accessibility errors. To see a list of the accessibility rules the Canvas Accessibility Checker verifies, see How do I use the Accessibility Checker in the Rich Content Editor as an instructor?

Headings 

• Should include a clear description of the section.
• Enable students utilizing screen readers and other assistive technology to browse available topics.
• Page titles are automatically generated at H1. Canvas  allows for use of H2 to H4 within the page. Section titles should be assigned H2 and further subsections H3 and H4.

Images

• Include alternative text for all images that convey meaning. 
• If the image is decorative, the decorative image box should be checked.
• In Canvas the default Alt Text is the image file name and this must be updated to provide a clear description of the image.
• To add Alt Text: (1) While in Edit mode of a page, click on the image. (2) Four small squares will appear, one at each corner of the image.  (3) Click the Image Options text box that appears. (4)Type a description for the image in the Alt Text box. (5) Click the Done button.

Links

• When adding a link to a page, attach the link to words that describe the link destination. 
• To add a hyperlink to text: (1) Type the text.  (2) Highlight the text (3) Select the Link tool from the Rich Content Editor toolbar (4) The Link box appears and you can paste the URL into the box. 

Color Contrast

• If you choose to use color, utilize the Canvas accessibility checker to ensure adequate contrast between foreground text and background color.  

Tables 

• Tables should be used for data display, not for formatting purposes.
• Designate row headers and if necessary column headers. The accessibility checker will walk you through this process.
• Tables should include a caption.

Videos

• All videos should have closed captions. Please view the Video tab of this guide to learn more about closed captions.

Steps to Link Videos to a Canvas Page

1. Copy the link for your video
2. Highlight the text that will serve as the descriptive link for your video.
3. Select the link icon from the Rich Content Editor.
4. Past your link into the URL box.
5. Select whether you want an in-line preview. 
6. If you do not want an in-line preview, place a check in the provided box.
7. If you choose an in-line preview, you need to add Alt Text

Accessibility within Canvas

• Information on screen readers and features and tools in Canvas that address accessibility issues.

Accessibility Statement 

• Summarizes Canvas efforts to make an accessible user experience. Gold Level Web Certification was achieved in 2010 from the National Federation of the Blind. More information is available by visiting the Canvas VPAT.