Learning management systems (LMS), such as Canvas, Google Classroom, and Buzz, are commonly used to organize instruction, share learning materials, communicate with students, and support online learning. Whether you’re building an entire course, creating a lesson, posting an assignment, or sharing instructional resources, accessibility should be considered from the beginning. Creating accessible online learning experiences goes beyond making individual documents, videos, and assignments accessible. How a course is organized, how students navigate between activities, and how information is presented all affect a student’s ability to access content, participate, and succeed. While learning platforms may offer built-in accessibility features, educators are responsible for ensuring the content and activities they create are accessible. Applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles further supports student success by providing flexible ways to access information, engage in learning, and demonstrate understanding.
Explore the following tips and resources to learn how to create accessible online courses and learning activities, apply Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, share course content on websites, and support students who need individualized accommodations, along with additional platform-specific guidance.
Organize Course for Easy Navigation
Use a simple, consistent course structure with clearly labeled modules, lessons, assignments, and materials so students can easily find what they need.
Use Heading and Structure
Organize course pages and learning materials with built-in headings, lists, and a logical reading order to support navigation with assistive technology.
Add Alternative Text to Images
Include meaningful alt text for informative images and accessible explanations for charts, graphs, diagrams, and other complex visuals.
Use Accessible Color and Contrast
Choose colors with sufficient contrast, avoid busy backgrounds, and never rely on color alone to communicate important information.
Create Meaningful Links
Use descriptive link text that identifies the destination or purpose, and check that linked resources work and are accessible.
Making Learning Materials Accessible
Ensure documents, PDFs, presentations, and other instructional resources are accessible, and use accessible course pages instead of attachments when appropriate.
Make Videos & Audio Accessible
Provide accurate captions for videos, transcripts for audio-only content, and descriptions of important visuals not explained through speech.
Make Videos & Audio Accessible
Provide accurate captions for videos, transcripts for audio-only content, and descriptions of important visuals not explained through speech.
Use Tables Carefully
Use tables to present data rather than arrange page content, and include clear headers and a logical reading order.
Make Assignments & Assessments Accessible
Provide clear instructions, accessible questions and response options, and ensure students can complete activities using assistive technology.
Support Keyboard Navigation
Check that students can navigate course materials, access links, and complete required activities using a keyboard without relying on a mouse.
Make Learning Goals Clear
Clearly communicate what students will learn, why it matters, and what successful completion looks like.
Break Learning into Manageable Steps
Organize modules, lessons, and assignments into smaller sections with clear directions and a consistent structure.
Present Information in Multiple Ways
Use accessible text, visuals, captioned videos, examples, and other formats to support different ways of understanding content.
Offer Choices for Engagement
Provide opportunities for students to participate through discussions, interactive activities, reflection, and connections to their interests and experiences.
Provide Flexible Ways to Show Learning
When appropriate, offer students choices for demonstrating understanding through written responses, presentations, recordings, or other accessible formats.
Support Student Independence
Include clear instructions, checklists, examples, timelines, and other resources to help students navigate and manage their learning.
Provide Feedback & Opportunities to Improve
Use practice activities, timely feedback, and opportunities for revision to help students monitor progress and strengthen their understanding.
Anticipate Different Learning Needs
Consider potential barriers related to reading, language, technology, attention, and access, and provide supports that help students succeed.
Designing accessible online courses helps remove barriers and supports all students. However, some students may still need individualized accommodations to fully access and participate in learning. These may include extended assessment time, adjusted due dates, accessible alternative materials, assistive technology, or other supports based on documented needs.
Accessible course design and UDL help reduce barriers for everyone, but they do not replace required individualized accommodations. When using Canvas, Google Classroom, Buzz Agilix or other online learning platforms, keep these reminders in mind:
- Follow Student Plans: Implement accommodations outlined in a student’s IEP, Section 504 plan, or other applicable requirements and district procedures.
- Use Available Platform Tools: Adjust assessment time, due dates, or other settings as appropriate to support individual student needs.
- Check Accommodations Beforehand: Verify that adjustments and accessibility features work as intended before students need to use them.
- Collaborate with School Staff: Work with appropriate school personnel when additional support, resources, or accessible alternatives are needed.
- Protect Student Privacy: Keep information about student accommodations confidential and share it only with authorized individuals.
- CSD Canvas Style Guide
- Using the Canvas Accessibility Checker
- Creating Accessible Courses with Canvas
- Canvas – Managing Image Alt Text
- University of Pennsylvania – Accessibility & Accommodations in Canvas
- CSD Google Classroom Style Guide
- Accessibility Features in Google for Education
- Google Classroom – How Can I Make My Class Accessible for Learners?
