Student Canvas Uploads: Do they need to be ADA accessible?
Do student presentations in Canvas have to be ADA WCAG 2.1 compliant? ↓
Yes—if your institution is a public university, all digital content—including student presentations uploaded to Canvas—must meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards by April 2026 under the ADA Title II update. This includes ensuring accessibility for images, text, and multimedia.
How can I communicate these requirements to my students? ↓
Add an Accessibility Requirement in Assignment Instructions
Example:
“Presentations must follow accessibility best practices (e.g., alt text for images, readable fonts, captions for videos). Use the tools below to check compliance.”
What helpful tools are available to students? ↓
PowerPoint Accessibility Checker
Built into Microsoft PowerPoint, this tool scans your slides for accessibility issues and suggests fixes.
How to use: Go to Review > Check Accessibility in PowerPoint.
COM Ed Tech Accessibility Checklist
Resource: Ed Tech PowerPoint Checklist ↓
Available at comsupport.fau.edu, this checklist provides step-by-step guidance for creating accessible course materials and presentations.
- Use built-in slide layouts
- Add alt text for all images
- Ensure high color contrast
- Caption any audio/video
- Use clear, descriptive titles
Use Inclusive Language ↓
Accessibility benefits everyone—captions help in noisy environments, and clear structure improves comprehension.