Canvas Content and Canvas Course Pages
Page Structure
Use clear structure so screen readers and assistive technologies can navigate content. Check the following:
☐ Headings use built‑in heading styles (Heading 2, Heading 3, etc.)
☐ Content follows a logical order
☐ Long text is broken into short paragraphs
☐ Bullet or numbered lists are used for grouped information
☐ Headings are used to organize sections of content
Links
Links should clearly describe the destination.
☐ Link text describes where the link goes
☐ Avoid “click here,” “more,” or raw URLs
☐ Links make sense even when read out of context. Example:
Good: “Read the Week 4 Assignment Instructions”
Avoid: “Click here for assignment”
Color and Text
Color should not be the only way information is communicated.
☐ Text has strong contrast with the background
☐ Important information is not conveyed by color alone
☐ Text is easy to read and not overly small
Canvas Page Accessibility Checker
Canvas includes a built‑in accessibility tool.
☐ Run the Canvas Accessibility Checker before saving pages
☐ Fix any issues identified by the checker
Images Media and Tables
Images and Graphics
Images must include alternative text so screen readers can describe them.
☐ Informational images include descriptive alt text
☐ Decorative images are marked decorative
☐ Images do not contain essential text that cannot be read by screen readers
Example alt text:
Good: “Map showing major rivers in North America”
Poor: “Image” or “Graphic”
Charts and Graphs
Charts should be understandable without relying only on visuals.
☐ Charts include a brief description in nearby text
☐ Key trends or conclusions are explained in text
Video and Multimedia
Students must be able to access audio and visual content.
☐ Videos include accurate captions
☐ Audio recordings include transcripts
☐ Media does not autoplay when a page loads
☐ Videos are introduced with context or instructions
Tables
Tables must be structured so screen readers can interpret them.
☐ Tables are used for data, not layout
☐ Header rows are identified
☐ Tables are simple and easy to read
☐ Avoid merged or split cells when possible
Files Uploaded to Canvas
PDFs
PDFs must be properly structured.
☐ Text is selectable (not a scanned image)
☐ Document includes tags for accessibility
☐ Images include alt text
☐ Reading order is correct
☐ Document passes a PDF accessibility check
☐ Document title and author added in Menu > Document Properties > Description tab
☐ Document title set to display in Menu > Document Properties >Initial View tab
PowerPoint Presentations
Before uploading slides:
☐ Slide layouts are used instead of manual text boxes
☐ Images include alt text
☐ Reading order is correct
☐ Text contrast is sufficient
☐ Presentation passes the PowerPoint Accessibility Checker
Word Documents
Before uploading Word files:
☐ Built‑in heading styles are used
☐ Images include alt text
☐ Tables include header rows
☐ Document passes the Microsoft Accessibility Checker
☐ Document title added in document properties
Final Canvas Course Accessibility Review
Before publishing course materials:
☐ Canvas accessibility checker shows no issues
☐ Videos are captioned
☐ Images include alt text
☐ Uploaded files have been checked for accessibility
☐ Page content uses headings and organized structure
