Canvas assignments
Building assignments and documents to share with students directly in Canvas will put you on the quickest path toward accessibility. Unlike Word or PDF documents, Canvas uses HTML, which makes text more adaptable for different screen sizes and works well with screen readers. The information below focuses on how to make the information in a Canvas assignment more accessible. New to Canvas? – Learn how to create an assignment in Canvas.
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Image Descriptions
Adding Alt Text to Images in Canvas
How to add Alt text to images in the Canvas Rich Content Editor?
Specific instructions focusing on the process of inserting and editing alternative text for images using the standard Rich Content Editor (RCE) found in Canvas pages, assignments, and discussions.
Learn moreHow to manage ALT text to images in Canvas with Cidilabs UDOIT and Design Plus?
Information on leveraging advanced third-party tools, UDOIT (Universal Design Online Inspection Tool) and Design Plus, to efficiently scan for, review, and manage alt text across multiple images and course elements in Canvas.
CidiLabs Design Plus tool features to streamline the process of managing and ensuring images have appropriate alt text. (Used more for individual editing).
Learn how with Design PlusCidiLabs UDOIT tool to identify and fix missing or poor-quality alternative text on images throughout a Canvas course. (More for bulk editing)
Learn how with UDOITColor contrast
A link to the WebAIM online tool where users can input foreground and background hex codes to instantly check if the color combination meets the required AA and AAA contrast ratios for accessibility.
WebAim Contrast CheckerDocument Tiles
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Course Materials
PDF Remediation
The process of fixing inaccessible PDF documents by adding or correcting essential accessibility components like tags, reading order, alt text, and document language.
Remediating Image-Based PDF Files with UDOIT or Adobe Acrobat
Learn how with Adobe Acrobat Pro
Remediating PDFs with Missing Titles
Remediating PDF Files with Tags required for Navigating a Document
Learn how with Adobe Acrobat Pro
Word Document Remediation
Remediating Images in a Document with Alternative Text with UDOIT
Remediating Image-Based Word Document with UDOIT
Remediating Word Document Missing Headings
Word: File Does Not Include Headings For Structure
Remediating Word Document with Missing Table Headers
Word: Table Headers Are Missing
Remediating Word Document Missing a Title Element
Word: File Is Missing a Title Element
Remediating Word Document with Older File Format
Word: Older File Format Detected
Troubleshooting Error Checking a Word Document with UDOIT (or Troubleshooting Word Document Accessibility Check Error)
Word: An Error Occurred While Checking This File
Creating Accessible PowerPoints (use native checker)
Learn more on how to make your PowerPoint slides more accessible within the software, guides will vary based on your operating system.
Guidance on using the Selection Pane in PowerPoint to review and manually adjust the sequence in which content objects (text boxes, images, etc.) are announced by a screen reader.
Arranging content in Logical Reading Order
A built-in tool in PowerPoint that automatically scans the presentation for common accessibility barriers, providing clear feedback on errors (e.g., missing alt text) and warnings (e.g., skipped titles).
Microsoft Accessibility Checker
A focused set of instructions or a manual detailing how authors should use PowerPoint's features (templates, layouts, themes) correctly from the start to ensure the resulting file is accessible.
A summary of the final steps in the creation process, including running the Accessibility Checker, manually verifying visual elements, and remediating any remaining structural errors.
Inspect and fix Powerpoint presentations
Microsoft Accessibility Checker
Accessible Audio and Video
YuJa video platform integrated in Canvas can automatically generate captions for uploaded videos and has a built-in editor to correct captions in real time.
YuJa - (auto-caption and editing)
A best practice is to avoid linking directly to Zoom's native cloud recordings for long-term course content. Instead, the recordings should be moved or uploaded to YuJa to ensure storage, management, and accessibility features (like permanent captions). Learn how to add edit Zoom captions before adding to YuJa.
Zoom Recordings (- move to YuJa)
Additional Resources
Scanned PDFs (avoid)
Adobe Acrobat Accessibility Checker
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Accessible Excel Spreadsheets
Accessible Excel Spreadsheets
Learn more on how to make your excel spreadsheets more accessible.
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Accessibility Inspection Tool
Accessibility Inspection Tool
UDOIT automatically scans your course content—including assignments, pages, discussions, and files—identifying accessibility issues that may impede student learning. Beyond simply flagging errors, the tool provides an intuitive "UFIXIT" interface that guides you through the remediation process, allowing you to easily resolve issues like missing alt text, heading structure errors, and color contrast problems directly from one dashboard.