Environment
Canvas, Online Courses
Issue
Users need guidance on how to ensure that their course readings are accessible.
Resolution
Select Accessible Materials
When selecting materials created by a third party (textbook publisher, government or corporate entity, etc.), do a preliminary check of accessibility. The following steps can help you select more accessible materials.
- Look for an accessibility statement on the publisher's website. If you can't find one, it's likely that their materials were not created with accessibility in mind.
- Provide materials in formats such as HTML or ePub, which are more accessible than PDF.
- In a text resource, is the text selectable? If you can highlight a line of text, it is selectable. If you can't, then the text cannot be read by assistive technology and is inaccessible.
- If working with a PDF, upload it to Panorama to see if it is tagged. (Panorama will report a severe error if it is untagged.) An untagged PDF will have numerous accessibility issues.
- For Word docs, PowerPoints, and Excel spreadsheets, run the Microsoft accessibility checker to look for issues that may exist.
If you encounter significant accessibility issues in third-party materials, you may want to seek more accessible alternatives. You can also contact the publisher to ask for more accessible versions or for them to correct the accessibility issues you found. Some publishers will only provide accessible versions to students or instructors with qualifying disabilities.
Provide Library Resources
Reach out to the library for assistance in locating accessible, digital copies of course materials. Not only can the library provide stable URLs and high-quality versions of materials, they can also create accessible versions as needed. Refer to Engaging with Library Resources: Accessibility and Linking Guidance for more details.
Create Accessible Materials
Follow the guidance on accessible documents to ensure that any materials you create for your course are as accessible as possible. Use accessibility checkers and accessible templates to create documents, slides, spreadsheets, and more that all students can engage with. If you are creating audio or video content, be sure to follow best practices for those types of media as well.
Ensure PDFs are Accessible
First, determine if the document needs to be a PDF. Utilize the PDF Decision Tree to identify potential alternatives to PDF.
Second, if the document can only exist as a PDF, please refer to the PDF Accessibility in Panorama article for a detailed guide on how to make your PDF accessible.
If you encounter issues that you cannot resolve on your own, please contact your unit’s Digital Accessibility Liaison or ITS Accessibility for support.
Additional Information
Need additional information or assistance? Contact the ITS Service Center.