Accessibility Resources

For accessibility-related information and resources on our campus please see Accessibility at 菠菜网lol正规平台.

There are a variety of resources available to assist with the creation of accessible course materials. These features support both the creation and review of course content. Two comprehensive resources are linked below.

• In less than an hour, the LinkedIn Learning Course Teaching Techniques: Making Accessible Learning provides an introduction on this topic. 
• In less than 30 minutes you can finish the LinkedIn Learning course on Creating Accessible Documents in Microsoft Office.

Canvas

1. Canvas General Accessibility Design Guidelines
2. How do I use the Accessibility Checker in the Rich Content Editor as an instructor?
3. How do I embed images with alt text from Canvas into the Rich Content Editor as an instructor?

4. Once I publish a quiz, how do I use the Moderate Quiz page?

5. Canvas Course Evaulation Accessibility Checklist

Ally

Ally is a tool that helps instructors enhance the usability and accessibility of the content in their courses. Ally provides accessibility feedback for faculty within their course workflow in Canvas. It also generates alternative formats of course files and content. 

GrackleDocs

GrackleDocs is an add-on for Google Docs, Google Slides and Google Sheets. When launched, it guides you step-by-step in fixing common accessibility issues.

Captioning

Any video and audio content shared with your students must have captions to adhere to Section 508 accessibility standards. Below is a list of the many captioning options available to you. 

• Create Captions in Panopto (recommended)
  • 1. Access Panopto either from within the tab in your Canvas course or go to sjsu.hosted.panopto.com
    2. Upload your video and Panopto will automatically caption your video.
    3. Edit your video's captions and select the Apply button. 
    4. Share your video!
• Create Captions in Panopto for your Zoom Cloud Recordings
  • 1. Captions for all Zoom Cloud recordings are automatically created by Panopto.
    2. Access your Zoom Cloud recordings in Panopto. Locate them in your Meeting Recordings Folder which is in your My Folder OR in your Canvas Course Panopto folder.
    3. Edit your captions and select the Apply button. 

    Please note recordings with student images/voices must be deleted at the end of each semester to adhere to FERPA guidelines. 

    If you’d like to reuse your video from semester to semester:

    1. Download your Zoom Cloud video and edit out all the student content using Camtasia or another video editing tool. 
    2. Upload it back into Panopto.
• Create Captions Using Canvas Studio 
  • 1. Upload your video to Canvas Studio or create it in Canvas Studio.
    2. Request Captions.
    3. Edit the captions and publish them.
    4. Share the video in your Canvas course.

    How to use the Canvas Studio Caption Request Tool
    How to Create Captions in Canvas Studio (4 minute video)
    Note: You can also upload your own edited captions file (.vtt or .srt).

• When not to use Canvas Studio?

  • If you’re using a video from YouTube or Vimeo that you did NOT create, do not share it through Canvas Studio as the captions and transcripts don’t transfer and you cannot request captions for these videos.  Instead, share the link directly on Canvas.

• Create Captions on YouTube
  • 1. Upload your video to YouTube.
    2. Edit the automatic captions. (They take time, so wait until they’re automatically generated).
       For step-by-step instructions, see: YouTube and Automatic Captioning
       For general inquiries, see: YouTube Help Website
• Add Captions to a Media Recording in the Canvas Rich Content Editor

  • The Media Tool in the Canvas Rich Content Editor is commonly used for "throw-away" videos which are quick videos to introduce a topic or clarify a concept.

    How to add captions to a Media Recording in the Canvas Rich Content Editor

ALT Text

One way to make your course content accessible to all students is by including ALT text (alternative text) to your images. ALT text is essential for students who use screen readers and for those with low bandwidth, ALT text provides them with instant access to the content description.  

• How to Add ALT Text to Images in Canvas Pages (video)
• The Basics of Writing ALT Text
• W3C Web Accessibility Initiative Images Tutorial 

PDFs

Creating accessible PDFs from the start will ensure more accessible and inclusive course content. Please see the PDF Accessibility page for best practices when using PDFs.

Additional Resources

• Accessible Education Center
• Center for Faculty Development Accessibility and Inclusive Teaching

Pedagogical Tips

Resources are available for faculty on how to more effectively teach higher education students and improve student learning outcomes.

Bloom's Taxonomy Essentials [pdf]

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