Making Content Accessible

Below is a list of how to make objects more accessible. However, for more information, consult Module 7 of the Online Excellence Course.

Using YuJa Panorama in Canvas

Snow College has integrated YuJa Panorama in Canvas to help make Canvas content accessible. The following video will walk you through the basics of using Panorama as you review your courses.

Microsoft Word

• Use heading styles
• Use built-in formats for bulleted lists, columns, and tables.
• Use row heading on all tables.
• Avoid floating text boxes.
• Include alternative text for images.
• Do not save as a webpage.

Microsoft has a set of guides for making Word documents accessible.

MS PowerPoint

• Use built-in slide layouts.
• Add alternative text for images.
• Use blank alt-text on images.
• Used captioned videos.

Microsoft has a set of guides for making PowerPoint presentations accessible.

MS Excel

• Specify column headers.
• Do not use blank cells for formatting.
• Add alternative text to images.
• Use unique names for each “sheet.”

Microsoft has a set of guides for making Excel worksheets accessible. 

Video/Audio

• Ensure that the video has accurate captions or transcripts
• Make media available for download if possible.
• Use an accessible media player, (i.e. Kaltura or YouTube)

The Web Accessibility Initiative has a set of guides about making video and audio accessible.

Canvas

• Use heading styles.
• Add alternative text to images.
• Use captioned videos.
• Upload accessible documents. (See MS Word & PDF)

Instructure has created a Canvas Course Accessibility Checklist that should be reviewed as you create content. 

PDF

• Use software that creates accessible PDFs, like MS Word, using accessible formatting guidelines (See MS Word)
• Save as PDF with “document structure tags for accessibility.”
• MS Word for Mac cannot create accessible PDFs.
• Do not use scanned documents.

Adobe has created a guide for creating accessible PDFs.

Images

• Briefly describe images with alternative text.
• Make alternative text blank for decorative images.
• Use images with good contrast.

The Web Accessibility Initiative has a set of guides for creating accessible images.

Email

• Use descriptive links.
• Add alternative text to images.
• Do not paste image files in lieu of real text.
• Use high contrast colors.
• Use readable fonts.

Microsoft has a set of guides for making Outlook emails accessible. 

Math

• Use the MathType pluigin for MS Word to write equations.
• “Export to mathpage.”
• Select “MathML Using:”
• Select “HTML+MathJax”
• Keep the exported HTML file with the accompanying source folder.

Section508.gov provides the following guidance for making equations and formulas accessible.