Canvas Course Accessibility

The Ally course accessibility report gives instructors an overview of accessibility issues across their course. It provides guided feedback to help instructors fix accessibility issues. When a problem is found, like missing alt text or low contrast, Ally explains what the issue is and how to correct it. This helps instructors improve their content without needing to be accessibility experts.

Canvas Course Accessibility Report - Guide for Faculty

The Ally account accessibility report gives administrators a snapshot of accessibility across all courses in Canvas. It helps track progress, identify common issues, and support campus-wide improvements in digital accessibility.

Canvas Account Accessibility Report - Guide for School Administrators

In Canvas courses, students see an "A" icon with a downward arrow next to component titles and file. Clicking the icon opens a menu of alternative formats to download, like audio, HTML, or language translation.

Alternative Formats in Canvas Guide

Looking to convert files that aren't part of a Canvas course? Students and instructors can also use the Alternative Formats web tool. This tool is linked in the Canvas Help menu for convenient access.

To meet the DOJ’s new Title II rule under the Americans with Disabilities Act, UIW is working toward 100% accessibility in all Canvas courses by April 26, 2027. 

1. Review your course score: Open the Ally course accessibility report to see how your content scores and what needs attention. 
2. Acquire training: Review guides, watch videos, and attend professional development sessions.
3. Fix issues: Start with quick fixes like adding alt text to images and updating link text.

One of the most common accessibility issues in Canvas courses is using images without alt text or without marking them as decorative.

Alternative text (alt text) is a short description that explains the purpose of an image. It’s read by screen readers and also appears when an image doesn’t load. Alt text doesn’t need to describe every visual detail, rather it should explain the idea or concept the image supports.

Avoid repeating information that already appears in nearby text. If an image is purely decorative and doesn’t add new meaning, mark it as decorative so screen readers can skip it. This creates a smoother experience for students using assistive technology.

Alternative Text in Canvas Guide

Use descriptive link text when adding links to a Canvas page. Avoid generic phrases like “click here” or “read more.” Instead, link meaningful keywords that clearly describes the destination content.

Descriptive links improve navigation for all users and support accessibility, especially for those using screen readers.

Descriptive Links in Canvas Guide

Contrast is key to making content readable and accessible.

Text needs strong contrast against the background to be easy to read. For example, black text on a white background is much clearer than light gray text on white.

The same applies to images. High contrast helps students see details and understand visual information.

Choose Colors with the WebAIM Contrast Checker

Video captions help viewers follow dialogue and important sounds. Tools like Microsoft Clipchamp, Canvas Studio, and YouTube offer autogenerated captions, but these aren’t always accurate. Always review and edit them to ensure they meet digital accessibility standards.

Caption Video in Microsoft Clipchamp

Caption Video in Canvas Studio Guide

Uploading or linking to documents without headings, alt text, a set language, or a proper title creates accessibility issues. 

You'll need to make most document fixes in the original file and always ensure Microsoft documents are accessible before converting to PDF. Avoid using PDF files scanned as images, which aren't readable by screen readers.

Headings ensure your content is easy to navigate:

• Use Heading 1 for the main title

• Use Heading 2 for top-level sections

• Use Heading 3 for subsections under Heading 2

• Don't skip heading levels

Not the author of inaccessible content used in your curriculum? Choose materials carefully or provide accessible alternatives. You can also reach out to the author to ask about their plans to improve accessibility.

Additional Guidance to Improve Documents

OTLT Digital Accessibility Guides

Digital Accessibility 10 Essentials Skills - Beginner's Guide

Digital Accessibility Standards Rubric - WCAG Deep Dive

Center for Teaching and Learning Events Calendar - Training Sessions