Checking the accessibility of teaching materials ensures that we are supporting the success of all students.
How do I make content accessible?
Heading styles
Heading styles are pre-formatted headings that structure content in logical order. They enable readers to engage more strategically with your content, making it easy to view and navigate. In particular, for those who use screen readers, visually-impaired and/or dyslexic students), heading styles are essential because the software communicates levels of hierarchy.
DO
Structure content heirarchy
<h1>Bovidae<h1>
<h2>Sheep</h2>
<h3>Ewes</h3>
DON’T
Rely on text size alone
36pt font, bold
24pt font, bold
18pt font
Headings in Word
Headings in Canvas
For example:
Heading one as the page title
[Some content]
Heading two as a section title
[Some content]
Heading 3 as a sub-section title
[Some content]
Plain language
Plain language is easily understood, concrete and descriptive. If used thoughtfully, plain language has the power to convey complex ideas without being overly simplistic.
DO
Use plain language
“It’s raining heavily”
DON’T
Use idioms
“It’s raining cats and dogs”
Meaningful links
A meaningful name tells people where they are going. Long linked text that goes across lines does not always open properly and can be confusing. Write links that make sense out of context and either say exactly what the link is about, or what the user is meant to do with it.
The following cards can be pasted into another module, e.g. a Toggle. However, you need to copy the code, i.e. switch to Text mode and copy the DIVs below this sentence. Also, copy the custom CSS from the Divi Builder’s settings cogwheel from this page.
DO
Write descriptive links
Course schedule
DON’T
Write vague links
Click here
Some tips
- Keep linked phrases short, 3-5 words.
- Links should be in contrasting colour to be mindful of learners with low vision or colour blindness. Make sure that colours are not your only method of conveying links – e.g. use underlined text to make the link stand out.
- Links that are underlined provide guaranteed link visibility when scanning a web page; Underlined links is an online stylistic element that is widely understood.
- Avoid linking headings and never use a URL for link text—screen readers will read out the URL verbatim.
Resizing images
Never use handles (or drag the boundaries) to resize a big image in Canvas. This may seem to work, but it doesn’t necessarily make any difference to the file size and can affect the quality badly. You might also pull the image out of proportion, causing distortion and degradation. This causes frustration for everyone, not just low-vision users.
Additionally, low-vision users need to zoom-in or enlarge an image so it is best if the image has not been degraded prior to this.
Resizing images in Windows
Open your image in the Photos application pre-installed in Windows and select Resize from the menu.
Then select the medium option (this will be greyed out if your image is smaller than the medium image profile).
Resizing images in MacOS
Use the Preview App on a Mac computer to resize your image.
Alternative text
Screen readers cannot display images but can read aloud text labels that describe them.
Alternative (alt) text is needed to describe the content and function of the image, and any text that is part of an image.
Adding alternative text in Canvas can be easily done from the Rich Content Editor.
DO
Describe images
alt=”an apple”
DON’T
Use meaningless descriptions
alt=”appl2_small.gif”
If the image is purely decorative, leave the alternative text blank: alt=“”
Colour contrast
Colour contrast is the difference between text and background colours. Most people prefer white text on a black background (high contrast) over orange text on a red background (low contrast). This is especially the case for people with low contrast sensitivity or colour blindness, who may struggle to discern meaning when insufficient contrast is provided.
Conversely, some people with high contrast sensitivity (e.g., Irlen Syndrome or visual stress) may struggle with extreme contrast. This can lead to discomforts, such as eye strain and headaches. Therefore, providing balanced colour contrast is important.
DO
Use contrasting colours
DON’T
Use pastel shades
Use WebAIM’s Contrast Checker to test the contrast of foreground and background colours or Wave tool to test the contrast of an entire page.
Colour and screen readers
Colour is a helpful visual signpost of hierarchy and/or meaning; however, screen readers are unable to recognize it. It is therefore best used in combination with text or symbols. Using colour alone to denote hierarchy and/or meaning will limit accessibility for those with visual impairments (e.g., colour blindness or low vision).
DO
Mix colour with shapes
DON’T
Rely on colour alone
Documents and files
Page layouts need to be clear, consistent and easily navigated. Font family size and colour should be easily legible. For example, a single column with chunked content is more easily navigated than double columns.
Your content will be scanned by screen readers as well as accessed by low vision users. If you create your page layout for these readers, everyone will benefit.
DO
Follow a linear layout
DON’T
Build complex page designs
Video captions and transcriptions
Video can be demanding for many types of learner. Textual descriptions, or captions, can at least help to describe what is happening on screen.
Multiple factors can affect the accessibility of online video, from technical limitations such as low bandwidth or poor connectivity, to individual preferences and limitations. Many learners prefer textual representations but, for visually impaired learners, these are essential.
DO
Provide captions and transcripts
DON’T
Rely on audio or video alone
Read about providing video captions and transcriptions in the FAQs section.
How do I check accessibility?
In-built Canvas accessibility checker
Canvas has an in-built accessibility checker which will highlight accessibility issues needing attention.
The accessibility checker is visible at the bottom right hand side when you open the Rich Content Editor.
Checking accessibility of materials created outside of Canvas?
Microsoft offers built-in accessibility checkers for Word and PowerPoint – see the Office Accessibility Checker
Similarly Adobe Acrobat provides a built-in checker – see Create and verify PDF accessibility using Acrobat Pro
Inclusive Design for Online Accessibility (PDF)
Learning difficulties and teaching inclusively (PDF)
Inclusive Design for Canvas course
Canvas design templates