Creating Accessible Online Courses

Tips for an Accessible Canvas Course

  • Place the instructions in the appropriate link folders or as instructed by CTL and hide unused link folders.
  • Use the ready-made formats (Styles) found in the menu of the rich content editor to specify heading levels and ordered and unordered lists.
  • Uploaded content should be in an accessible format (accessible MS Word, accessible PDF, accessible PowerPoint, etc.)
  • Add alternative text (Alt Text) to images, charts, and tables.
  • All video files should have captions.
  • All Audio files should have transcriptions.
  • Use the Accessibility Checker icon found on the status bar below the body of the rich content editor to make sure your content is accessible.
  • Use the Accessibility Checker (UDOIT) left-side menu links to check the accessibility of your completed course.

Resources for Faculty

University of Washington’s DO-IT website: 20 Tips for Teaching an Accessible Online Course.

University of Washington’s DO-IT website: The Faculty Room.

Creating accessible Microsoft Word document by WebAIM.

Creating accessible Microsoft PowerPoint by WebAIM.

Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) teaching guides: Building Inclusive Classrooms.