Creating Accessible Content
Creating a new course in Canvas can be a daunting task. If you are just beginning to build your course, we recommend using a pre-built template theme so that your course can have a structure and flow that is consistent with other courses your students may be attending. These templates also have many accessibility features already built in and will help students have a better experience in your class. The following resources will guide you through how to implement accessibility best practices in your course during the creation process. Applying accessibility practices during the creation process will save you time and effort down the road.
By following these guidelines, you'll ensure your Canvas course content is accessible, navigable, and welcoming to all learners. Still need help? Don’t hesitate to reach out to your instructional design team or accessibility support staff!
Using color on a page can be a helpful way to engage users with your content. However, when colors are too visually similar, they can be confusing - especially for users with low vision or colorblindness. Learn how you can more effectively and accessibly use color in your courses.
Using a clear, standardized heading structure helps all users absorb information more easily. For those who use screen readers, well-placed headings are essential for navigating content and understanding its organization. Accessible headings follow specific guidelines to ensure clarity and consistency.
Using accessible links helps all users understand the purpose of a link and where it will take them. This is especially important for students using screen readers, who rely on clear, descriptive link text to navigate content efficiently. Avoid using vague phrases like “Click here,” which provide no context and can be confusing.
Instead, embed links within meaningful text that clearly describes their destination—for example: “Head to the Accessible Links page to learn how to use accessible links.”