Audio & Video
Videos must have accurate captioning
Video transcripts are not required, but are helpful and support Universal Design for Learning
Videos without narration that play music and display text must have a text file that can be read by a screen reader.
Podcasts or audio-only files must have transcripts
Images
Avoid using images of text that are essential to understanding content
Canva can be used for decorative images. For meaningful images and content, see the Canva & Digital Accessibility Guidelines
All meaningful images should have alt text. If the image is complex, include a long description of the image
Colors
Strong contrast between colors is easiest to perceive - use the Color Contrast Analyzer to check for contrast
Avoid using red to call attention to important information. Bold text instead
Do not use color alone to indicate meaning
Links
When linking to something outside of Canvas, include “(Opens in new window)” or “(Google Doc)” so the user knows that the link takes them away from Canvas
Links should be descriptive, and descriptions should be unique to each link
Links should always be underlined
Documents
Avoid PDFs when possible - it’s difficult to make them accessible and it’s hard to check for accessibility unless you have Acrobat Pro. Send PDFs that are essential to the course to Amy for review
Follow the Google Docs and Word guidelines
Navigation
Courses should be navigable by keyboard alone (without a mouse or touchpad)
Use Tab, arrow keys, space bar, Enter, and Esc
Checklist
Need to make sure your digital content, such as a Canvas course checks all the boxes? Use our Digital Accessibility Guidelines for Canvas Courses (Google Doc)!