Creating Content with Accessibility in Mind
Accessibility for all is a key consideration in Canvas design. It is important that content created by teachers—such as text and images—is also accessible to everyone, including users who rely on screen readers or other assistive technologies. To support this, keep the following in mind.
For students who use screen readers, it is essential that headings and subheadings are structured logically and created using the editor’s heading options.
Link text should clearly describe what the link opens, such as the title of an article. Avoid using vague link text such as “Read more,” “Click here,” or pasting raw URLs. Screen readers read link text aloud, so it is important that it is clear and meaningful. To edit link text, open the editor, click the link once, and open the link options. In the panel that appears on the right, you can change the link text.
Use only accessible fonts, such as the default Canvas font, Arial, Verdana, or Tahoma. Text should never be smaller than 12 pt, and underlining should only be used for links. Use the editor’s built-in options to create bulleted and numbered lists. Sentences should always end with a full stop. Text formatting (such as shape, color, or style) should never be used on its own to convey meaning, for example, by making certain words bold, italic, or a different color without also explaining why.
Alternative text (alt text) should be added to all images unless they are marked as decorative. This is the text read aloud when a page is accessed with a screen reader, for example, by blind or visually impaired users. Alt text is also displayed in place of an image before it loads, such as when the file is large, the internet connection is poor, or images are turned off.
Alt text should describe the image’s content, be brief and precise, and avoid sacrificing clarity. It usually consists of just a few words, though one or two sentences may be appropriate in exceptional cases. The same image may need different alt text depending on its context.
Alt text should not repeat information already given in the surrounding text, nor should it include phrases such as “image of” or “the image shows,” since screen readers already announce that it is an image.
If an image is purely decorative, mark it as decorative and do not add alt text.
For more information and examples of image alt text, see: Alternative Text (WebAIM).
The button in the lower-right corner of the Canvas Rich Content Editor checks your content’s accessibility and identifies many issues that may need to be fixed. By reviewing these comments and making the suggested changes, you help ensure that all users can access and benefit from the content.