Accessibility within Canvas
Ensuring an accessible and pleasant experience to all users, regardless of disability, is a key focus of Canvas and VU Amsterdam. The Canvas platform was built using the most modern HTML and CSS technologies, and is committed to W3C's Web Accessibility Initiative.
General accessibility design guidelines can be found in the following document:
In addition to the document above we have asked an accessibility expert to provide us with a top 3 of most important accessibility tips for teachers:
- When using non-textual content (video, audio, images), make sure there is always a textual alternative available which serves an equal purpose. Images which consist of text (for example a scanned document) are not accessible. In this case the best option is to type the text beneath the image, or (if this is too much text) make the document downloadable. If for example the image you are using is just decorative and not informative, this is not necessary.
- If using colors, do not let this be the only way in which information is transferred. For example, do not just mark the correct text green, but also indicate the correctness by typing 'correct' at the beginning of the sentence or paragraph. Also, always make sure there is enough contrast on the page: do not use white letters on a background with a light color or black letters on a dark background.
- Make sure you create a clear structure within your course and be consistent in how you name the different parts of your course. By being consistent and working with a clear structure you can greatly improve the usability and navigation for students with a disability.