Canvas Tutorials Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1

Video Overview of the Guidelines

Accessibility Guidelines

Use the tabs below to learn more about accessibility and course design.

WC3 WCAG Guidelines

Below are Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0) guidelines. The WCAG guidelines are organized into four key points, creating the POUR acronym for easy memorization. Please note that Canvas is already accessible and meets these guidelines up to the point where your content is added. All content you create should meet all the guidelines listed below.

Perceivable

Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive. This means that users must be able to perceive the information being presented (it can't be invisible to all of their senses)

Guideline 1.1: Text Alternatives - Provide text alternatives for any non-text content so that it can be changed into other forms people need, such as large print, braille, speech, symbols, or simpler language.
Guideline 1.2: Time-based Media - Provide alternatives (text captions and/or transcript) for time-based media.
Guideline 1.3: Adaptable - Content should be presented in different ways (for example simpler layout) without losing information or structure.
Guideline 1.4: Distinguishable - Make it easier for users to see and hear content, including separating foreground from background.

Operable

User interface components and navigation must be operable. This means that users must be able to operate the interface (the interface cannot require interaction that a user cannot perform)

Guideline 2.1: Keyboard Accessible - Make all functionality available from a keyboard. Canvas has a keyboard shortcut reference document
Guideline 2.2: Enough Time - Provide users enough time to read and use content.
Guideline 2.3: Seizures - Do not design content in a way that is known to cause seizures.
Guideline 2.4: Navigable - Provide ways to help users navigate, find content, and determine where they are.

Understandable

Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable. This means that users must be able to understand the information as well as the operation of the user interface (the content or operation cannot be beyond their understanding)

Guideline 3.1: Readable - Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable.
Guideline 3.2: Predictable - Make Web pages appear and operate in predictable ways.
Guideline 3.3: Input Assistance - Help users avoid and correct mistakes.

Robust

Content must be robust enough to be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies. This means that users must be able to access the content as technologies advance (as technologies and user agents evolve, the content should remain accessible)

Guideline 4.1: Compatible - Maximize compatibility with current and future user agents, including assistive technologies.

Design Courses for Inclusiveness

As you build your course, it is essential to consider how students with visual, auditory, or other disabilities will be able to access and use your course materials. The article below from WebAIM provides a comprehensive overview of the accessibility issues many of our students encounter when course sites are not designed with accessibility in mind. Contact the Instructional Support staff for help making your courses more accessible.

Considering the User Perspective: A Summary of Design Issues

The video below was created by The National Center on Disability and Access to Education (NCDAE) and gives you an idea of why accessibility is important to everyone. The videos below highlight that if we don't consider accessibility when designing a course, we may unintentionally exclude students.

Canvas & Accessibility

Instructure is committed to making Canvas as accessible as possible; however, a significant portion of this responsibility lies with the instructor. Review the resources listed below for suggestions and tips on making your course content more accessible.

Canvas VAT- Instructure's commitment to accessibility
What are the Canvas accessibility standards? - Canvas guide with tips on making your course more accessible.