Accessibility Tools

Best Practices

  • Build document structure using heading styles
  • Ensure hyperlinks are self-describing (not the full URL and “click here”) 
  • Use built-in menu options to create lists and other formatting
  • Keep table structure clear and simple
  • Use sans-serif fonts such as Arial, Tahoma, or Verdana at a minimum of 12 pt. size
  • Ensure adequate color contrast and never use color alone for emphasis
  • Add alt-text for all non-text objects
  • Ensure video content has accurate captions
  • Ensure audio content has an accurate transcript

Tools

  • Pope Tech
    Pope Tech is an accessibility remediation tool available to instructors in Canvas. This tool provides instructors with a quick and simple way to check for and fix certain accessibility concerns in Canvas content.  It is a​​ more accurate accessibility tool to check and remediate your Canvas​ content than the Canvas Accessibility Checker.
  • MS Office Accessibility Checker

    Microsoft Office includes a built-in accessibility checker that allows users to check their documents for issues and offers suggestions on how to address accessibility problems.

  • Adobe PDF

    PDF files are no longer the recommended file type for posting documents to Canvas. Many experts agree that posting files created in productivity software like Microsoft Office or Google Docs is preferred due to the improvements in the accessibility of the tools, their accessibility checkers, and the ability for students to change fonts, increase size, or otherwise modify the document to be easier for them to read.

    Adobe PDF Editor  is a full featured software application for creating, editing, and checking PDF files for ease of access.

    Every person working for Taft College is able to get an Adobe License

Captioning Tools

Multimedia options can be used in creative ways to reach students who may not be able to access materials in the traditional sense. Recording and sharing video presentations or demonstrations can be an effective way to deliver content or assess student learning. All video content must include accurate captions.
  • Canvas Studio

    Canvas Studio was adopted by the CCC for video streaming solution. Canvas Studio is a good option for captioning videos and sharing in Canvas. Access Canvas Studio inside Canvas using Media within the global navigation. 

    When you upload media to Canvas Studio you must request to machine-captions. Machine captioning is an excellent first step, but not good enough. You must edit captions when they have completed the automated process to be sure they are accurate. The edited captions will automatically appear in media you have already published in your Canvas course.

  • YouTube
    Taft College faculty, staff, and students can log into YouTube using their UA username and password because it is part of our Google Suite of tools. When you upload a video to YouTube, captions will be auto-generated within about an hour. You must edit the captions when they have completed the automated process to be sure they are accurate. The edited captions will automatically appear in video you have already linked in your Canvas course. (Viewers must click the CC button to view the captions.)

Resources