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Griffith University's 2020-2025 Strategic Plan includes a commitment to designing "a digital environment to ensure accessibility for students and staff with a disability". Making your course content accessible can be achieved by using the built-in Canvas Accessibility Checker and making sure videos and other files are accessible.
Using the Canvas Accessibility Checker
The Accessibility Checker is part of the Canvas Rich Content Editor. The tool will detect common accessibility issues with content in the editor, such as:
- images that don’t have descriptive alt text
- heading sizes that are not in sequential order
- text colour that doesn’t offer enough contrast
For step-by-step guidance on using the Accessibility Checker, see How do I use the Accessibility Checker in the Rich Content Editor? (Canvas Guides)
While the Accessibility Checker is an essential tool, it’s important to note that it does have limitations. It will only check the accessibility of content within the Rich Content Editor. You will need to make use of other accessibility tools to check that additional files, such as videos and documents, are accessible for students.
Making files accessible
Video and audio content
To learn more about making video and audio content accessible, see Captions and transcripts for lectures, tutorial, videos and podcasts (L&T Support Site). This page also includes information on how to make Teams Meetings more accessible.
Documents
Microsoft Word documents
Microsoft Word includes a built-in Accessibility Checker tool designed to review content and flag accessibility issues while you work. Being considerate of design aspects, such as use of tables, heading styles and colour, will enhance the accessibility of your documents.
For detailed guidance, see Make your Word documents accessible to people with disabilities (Microsoft Office Support).
PowerPoint files
PowerPoint also includes a built-in Accessibility Checker tool to help you address accessibility issues within your document as you work. Design considerations such as your visuals, colours, hyperlinks, tables and even the order of content can all contribute to making your document more accessible.
For detailed guidance, see Make your PowerPoint presentations accessible to people with disabilities (Microsoft Office Support).
PDF files
PDF files are not particularly accessible and can also pose copyright issues if they are taken from another source and used as course content. Instead, use the Griffith University Reading List service for course readings and Word or PowerPoint files for other file-based content.
You may also find our student-facing page on Accessibility in Learning@Griffith useful.
Further learning
Plenty of resources exist to support accessible design in learning & teaching and within Canvas. You may find the following pages useful: