Are Canvas course sites accessible? 

The Canvas environment meets the University’s accessibility standards, but content you add to Canvas course sites may not. Using the metaphor of a house, the general architecture of Canvas ensures that all users can enter the front door and gain access to the interior rooms (native tool areas within Canvas), but objects you place in those rooms (like digital files or external tools integrated into Canvas) may be difficult to access, or may even create barriers to their use.

What steps should I take to make my Canvas course sites as accessible as possible?

• Organize your syllabus as a web page and set it as the homepage using the Canvas editing tools, rather than attaching it solely as a Word document or PDF. Check out our support article on posting your syllabus in Canvas for more instructions.

• Use Modules and consistent course navigation in Canvas. Simplifying students’ ability to find important resources in Canvas will enable them to focus more on the learning process.

• Understand how to set up extra time and other accommodations for students in Canvas.

• Familiarize yourself with the basics of accessible online courses.