Canvas Accessibility Training Series 2026
The Office of Teaching, Learning, and Technology (OTLT) supports faculty in using Canvas. Our instructional designers, software specialist, and Canvas administrator are aware of digital accessibility requirements to help you learn to create courses that meet the required Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). This guide outlines each session of our 2026 Canvas Accessibility training series and connects you with valuable resources when working towards the deadline of April 26, 2027.
Self-enroll in our Canvas Accessibility Faculty Training Series course for explanations and examples.
Session Guides
Topic 1: Intro to WCAG & ComplianceThis session introduces Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) expectations and how they apply to building accessible Canvas courses. A helpful foundation for understanding accessibility is provided to prepare you for the deeper learning offered in the additional sessions.
Topic 1 Highlights
- Materials and apps used in Canvas courses are part of the U.S. Dept of Justice's ruling for Title II digital accessibility standards.
- UIW must meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA for all digital content and web apps by April 26, 2027.
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are international standards from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).
- Accessibility is proactive for the benefit of all, which is different from reactive accommodation by request.
- Accessibility checkers help but can't replace human review and good practice.
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10 essential skills for digital accessibility offers an intro applicable to everyone.
Topic 1 Video Training
Topic 2: WCAG Standards Rubric ExplainedThis session provides a rapid-fire overview of the UIW Digital Accessibility Standards Rubric based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level A and Level AA. Join us for clear explanations and Canvas-native examples that show you how to meet each standard and create accessible course content for all students.
Topic 2 Highlights
- The UIW rubric distills WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA into six sections organized by content type—not technical jargon from the official WCAG standards site.
- Faculty directly control standards in Content Writing, Visual Design, and Multimedia; Sections 4–6 are mostly platform-level concerns to escalate or are for non-faculty roles.
- The rubric is a reference tool, not a test. Consult it when building new content, auditing a course, or evaluating external tools.
- Each rubric item includes a plain-language description, WCAG alignment, and practical examples for Canvas, webpages, and procurement.
- Later topics in this course provide step-by-step guidance for the skills introduced in the rubric.
Topic 2 Video Training
Topic 3: Common Accessibility PitfallsThis interactive session uses live polling to help you spot common accessibility issues found in Canvas courses. We examine short examples, vote on how each item should be fixed, and review the correct solution. This is a fun, hands-on way to strengthen your ability to recognize accessibility pitfalls.
Topic 3 Highlights
- Digital accessibility is about making the web work for everyone.
- People creating content delivered in digital format must use text, images, and settings that meet or exceed the WCAG 2.1 Level A and Level AA standards.
- People selecting web content and tools must evaluate materials and the overall user experience to ensure they meet or exceed the standards.
- The context in which images are used determines whether they are marked decorative or require alt text and, when necessary, long descriptions.
- Links are required to use descriptive keywords that clearly explain the destination or action, even without the context of the surrounding text.
- Sections of text are required to use correctly styled headings to create hierarchical structure in the HTML and improve comprehension.
- Large text (18pt or larger, or 14pt bold) must have a minimum 3:1 contrast ratio against its background. Graphical objects and user interface components must also meet a minimum 3:1 contrast ratio against adjacent colors.
- Normal text smaller than 18pt (or 14pt bold) must have a minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio against its background.
- Tables are reserved for demonstrating relationships between data in cells and must include a caption or title, a header row, and header columns when needed so assistive technology can announce the information meaningfully.
- External content, regardless of who created it, must also meet or exceed the standards.
Topic 3 Video Training
Topic 4: Check External Content with WAVELearn how to quickly evaluate the accessibility of external content linked in Canvas using the WAVE browser extension. You'll learn to navigate WAVE results, interpret error types, and determine when to provide accessible alternatives for your students.
Topic 4 Highlights
- Faculty are responsible for ensuring chosen content and tools meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
- WAVE helps you quickly audit external HTML content; however, thoroughly vetting content and identifying accessible alternatives requires careful review beyond a quick scan.
- WAVE is a browser extension tool developed by WebAIM that provides instant feedback on web accessibility through visual indicators and a detailed sidebar summary.
- WAVE identifies common barriers in HTML, including missing alternative text, low color contrast, empty links, skipped heading levels, unlabeled form fields, and redundant links.
- Not all WAVE alerts are errors. Alerts require further review and context to determine if they represent actual accessibility barriers.
- WAVE has limitations; it identifies potential issues in webpage HTML, but does not determine full compliance or fix problems.
- WAVE does not review documents, videos, or the quality of content linked and embedded on webpages.
- If faculty or students identify accessibility barriers, an equivalent alternative must be provided.
Topic 4 Video Training
Topic 5: Decorative Images or Alternative Text?This session helps you confidently decide whether an image in your Canvas course needs alternative text or should be marked as decorative.
Topic 5 Highlights
Topic 5 Video Training
Embedded video coming soon.Topic 6: Headings, Text Structure, & HyperlinksThis session explores essential accessibility practices within Canvas, focusing on the effective use of headings, logical text structure, and descriptive hyperlinks. Join us to learn how these elements improve navigation for screen readers, enhance readability, and support universal design principles.
Topic 6 Highlights
Topic 6 Video Training
Embedded video coming soon.Topic 7: PDFs are ProblematicThe prevalence of PDF files in everyday life exacerbates accessibility issues. This session covers practical information for upgrading your PDF files for WCAG compliance.
Topic 7 Highlights
Topic 7 Video Training
Embedded video coming soon.Topic 8: Color Contrast & Secondary LabelsThis session focuses on two critical accessibility requirements: ensuring sufficient color contrast in your course materials and providing secondary labels that don't rely on color alone. Join us to learn practical techniques that help you meet these standards and make your content accessible to all students.
Topic 8 Highlights
Topic 8 Video Training
Embedded video coming soon.Topic 9: Transcripts, Captions, & Audio DescriptionsVideo and audio clips add engaging content to your courses. Did you know that transcripts, captions, and audio descriptions are essential components of digital accessibility? Join us to learn practical skills for including these necessary media components.
Topic 9 Highlights
Topic 9 Video Training
Embedded video coming soon.Topic 10: Tables are for DataJoin this session to learn how to make tables in Canvas that support accessibility and avoid barriers for those using screen readers. We cover how tables are used for data, how to format them with headers and structure, and simple alternatives for page layout to keep course content clear, inclusive, and compliant.
Topic 10 Highlights
Topic 10 Video Training
Embedded video coming soon.
Digital Accessibility Resources