Creating an accessible learning environment is not just about compliance with legal standards; it’s about ensuring every student has an equal opportunity to thrive in their educational pursuits. Use these guides to ensure the content you create in Canvas is accessible to all, helping each student to realize their full potential.

Articles (9)

Pinned Article Start Here First - Accessibility is for Everyone and is Everyone’s Responsibility

This comprehensive guide outlines practical and effective strategies for creating accessible content in Canvas, offering step-by-step instructions, resources, and support to guide you on this journey of inclusive education.

Add Alt Text to Images in Canvas

Alternate text (alt text) provides descriptive information about images, enabling students who use screen readers to access and understand visual content. Adding alt text to images in Canvas supports equitable learning and ensures content accessibility for all students.

Add Headers to Tables

Tables without header cells confuse assistive technologies and slow down every student’s reading. Canvas lets you designate header rows or columns—instantly turning data grids into accessible, screen-reader–friendly tables.

Apply Proper Headings in Canvas Content

Proper heading structure is essential for accessible content, enabling seamless navigation for students using screen readers and other assistive technologies. Utilizing a clear heading hierarchy ensures content is well-organized and supports universal accessibility.

Fix Accessibility Issues in Canvas with Ally

This guide offers step-by-step instructions for instructors on addressing common accessibility issues in Canvas, as identified by the Ally Course Accessibility Report, including how to fix images, documents, and where to seek further assistance.

Improve Color Contrast in Canvas

This article will explain why color contrast matters for accessibility and show you how to check and fix contrast issues in your Canvas course using built-in tools.

Provide Accurate Captions and Transcripts

This article will explain why captions and transcripts are essential for accessibility and guide you to resources for adding and editing captions in Canvas using Kaltura.

Request Accessibility Help for a Single File

Use Ally’s in-product Help option to submit a request when a Canvas file needs remediation. The form is accessed from the file’s Ally score indicator; if it fails to send the first time, simply resubmit until successful.

Use Properly Formatted Lists in Canvas

Well-formatted lists improve content organization and accessibility for all students. Using the Rich Content Editor's list function ensures that lists are correctly structured and easy to follow.