Accessibility Tips by Platform
Accessible content helps everyone—including people who use screen readers, captions, or keyboard navigation. See tips by platform.
Canvas
Canvas Accessibility Guidelines
- Text - Use headings instead of font size for organization.
- Tables - Use tables for data display, not for layout. Add headings for tables and rows.
- Links - Describe the link destination(s).
- Color - Ensure high contrast. Do not use color for emphasis.
- Images - Include descriptive alternative (alt) text. The image name becomes alt text but can be changed when editing a page using the HTML editor.
- Video - Include captions.
- Audio - Include transcripts.
Slideshow
PowerPoint Accessibility Checker
- Text - Compose in Outline. View and include presenters’ notes.
- Layout - Use slide layouts.
- Tables - Use tables for data display, not for layout. Add headings for tables and rows.
- Links - Describe the link destination(s).
- Color - Ensure high contrast. Do not use color for emphasis.
- Images - Include descriptive alt text, captions and presenter’s notes.
- Video - Include captions.
- Audio - Include transcripts.
- Do not save as a web page.
Spreadsheet
- Text - Use headings instead of font size for organization.
- Tables - Use tables for data display, not for layout. Add headings for tables and rows.
- Links - Describe the link destination(s).
- Color - Ensure high contrast. Do not use color for emphasis.
- Images and Objects - Include descriptive alt text.
- Specify column headers.
- Do not use blank cells for formatting.
Document
- Text - Use heading styles instead of font size for organization.
- Tables, bulleted lists, columns: Use built-in formats.
- Links - Describe the link destination(s).
- Color - Ensure high contrast. Do not use color for emphasis.
- Images - Include descriptive alt text.
- Do not save as a web page.
- Avoid floating text boxes.
Adobe Acrobat Accessibility Checker
- Before creating the PDF, ensure the original document is accessible.
- If the original document is not available, auto-tag the PDF in Adobe Acrobat.
- Run OCR on scanned items.
Video
- Include closed captions.
- Check for content in the video that should be repurposed as text.
- Use accessible media players (i.e. Panopto, YouTube).
Additional Links
Updated: February 14, 2026