Creating Accessible Content

Creating a new course in Canvas can feel like a daunting task. If you’re just beginning to build your course, we recommend starting with a pre-built template. Templates give your course a consistent structure and flow with other courses students are taking, and many accessibility features are already built in. This helps students have a better experience in your class from day one.

The resources below will guide you through implementing accessibility best practices as you build your course. Applying these practices during the creation process will save you time and effort down the road. While the resources on this page focus on Canvas, many courses also include files. If you’re creating or sharing documents, visit our Word Accessibility, PowerPoint Accessibility, and PDF Accessibility to learn how to apply accessibility principles in those formats as well.

Still need help? Don’t hesitate to reach out to your instructional design team or accessibility support staff!

Using Accessible Colors

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 Accessible Colors in Canvas

Using Proper Headings

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 Headings in Canvas

Creating Accessible Lists

Lists are a helpful way to organize information and make key details easier to remember. Knowing the different types of lists and when to use them makes your content more impactful and your pages more accessible.

Creating Accessible Lists in Canvas

Adding Alt Text to Images

Adding alternative text (alt text) to images is crucial to providing an equitable experience for all students. Alt text provides a description of an image, making it accessible to blind and low-vision students who use screen readers. It also benefits sighted users by improving searchability and serving as a helpful fallback if images don’t load due to a poor internet connection.

Adding Alt Text to Canvas Images

Creating Accessible Tables

Tables are a great way to display and present data in an organized way. However, when tables are used inappropriately, they can be an obstacle to those who are using screen readers. Be sure to add table headers and properly format any tables in your course.

Creating Accessible Canvas Tables

Using Descriptive Links

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 describe their destination—for example: “Head to the Accessible Links page to learn how to use accessible links.”

Using Descriptive Links in Canvas