{"id":10440,"date":"2026-03-18T16:26:56","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T16:26:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/?p=10440"},"modified":"2026-03-19T10:42:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T10:42:30","slug":"canvas-new-course-accessibility-checker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/2026\/03\/18\/canvas-new-course-accessibility-checker\/","title":{"rendered":"Canvas\u2019 New Course Accessibility Checker"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Educational Enhancement&#8217;s latest blog by Mark Thomas (Learning Technologist)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>What<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Canvas&nbsp;have&nbsp;released&nbsp;a&nbsp;great&nbsp;update to its support of accessibility within&nbsp;modules: a&nbsp;<strong>new Course Accessibility Checker.&nbsp;<\/strong>Designed to&nbsp;help making your modules more&nbsp;accessible&nbsp;easier, faster, and more intuitive.&nbsp;The key difference is that&nbsp;a&nbsp;dedicated accessibility&nbsp;tool&nbsp;will be available&nbsp;from the navigation pane&nbsp;on all&nbsp;Canvas&nbsp;modules. The tool&nbsp;will scan&nbsp;all&nbsp;your&nbsp;pages&nbsp;and assignments&nbsp;(not documents,&nbsp;pdfs&nbsp;and discussions)&nbsp;simultaneously&nbsp;and&nbsp;give you an&nbsp;accessibility report&nbsp;from a single dashboard.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"937\" height=\"191\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10441\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-1.png 937w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-1-300x61.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-1-768x157.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-1-100x20.png 100w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-1-150x31.png 150w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-1-200x41.png 200w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-1-450x92.png 450w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-1-600x122.png 600w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-1-900x183.png 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 937px) 100vw, 937px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>(Report view for new Course Accessibility Checker tool) &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"888\" height=\"418\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10442\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-2.png 888w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-2-300x141.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-2-768x362.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-2-100x47.png 100w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-2-150x71.png 150w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-2-200x94.png 200w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-2-450x212.png 450w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-2-600x282.png 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 888px) 100vw, 888px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>(Current accessibility alert in the Rich Text Editor on individual pages)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>Why This Matters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As per our&nbsp;legal obligations and&nbsp;in line with the&nbsp;Dignity,&nbsp;Respect and Inclusion Policy&nbsp;accessibility&nbsp;is&nbsp;everyone\u2019s&nbsp;responsibility.&nbsp;This update will help convenors to evaluate their&nbsp;Canvas&nbsp;modules and make the necessary adjustments to ensure&nbsp;they are creating an inclusive learning environment.&nbsp;This tool will&nbsp;be&nbsp;something&nbsp;we use to help&nbsp;achieve our vision,&nbsp;mission,&nbsp;and values for 2035.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>When &#8211; Phase 1 &#8211; February 21, 2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The first rollout brings several&nbsp;new&nbsp;features that enable a&nbsp;module\u2011level accessibility&nbsp;workflow.&nbsp;Detecting issues will initially only be supported in Canvas Pages and Assignments&nbsp;<strong>(not&nbsp;inc&nbsp;quizzes)<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Module-level central interface: accessible from the&nbsp;module navigation&nbsp;pane,&nbsp;the checker&nbsp;offers&nbsp;a birds-eye view of all&nbsp;identifiable&nbsp;accessibility issues.&nbsp;Results can be filtered to help specify where help is needed e.g. only published pages.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10443\" width=\"828\" height=\"465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-3.png 939w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-3-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-3-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-3-100x56.png 100w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-3-150x84.png 150w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-3-200x112.png 200w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-3-450x253.png 450w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-3-600x337.png 600w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-3-900x506.png 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 828px) 100vw, 828px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>(Module Accessibility Checker Page)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Scanning native Canvas content:<\/strong> detecting issues will initially be supported in Canvas Pages and Assignments.<\/li><li><strong>Fast, intuitive way to review and fix: <\/strong>see accessibility issues across your learning resources without opening the content separately. The remediation wizard explains what\u2019s incorrect and provides in-context controls to resolve issues. Initially, addressing the most common accessibility issues: heading structure, image alt text, text contrast, and hyperlink duplication<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-4.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"836\" height=\"408\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10444\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-4.png 836w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-4-300x146.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-4-768x375.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-4-100x49.png 100w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-4-150x73.png 150w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-4-200x98.png 200w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-4-450x220.png 450w, https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/image-4-600x293.png 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 836px) 100vw, 836px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>(Fix wizard for Alt Text issue)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>Looking Ahead<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As mentioned at the start, only the pages and assignments will be checked, and any uploaded files will still need to be designed using the available accessible tools e.g. Microsoft Accessibility Checker.&nbsp; Canvas have said features such as AI remediation and alt text generation are planned for phase 2 release later this year. As accessibility expectations and legislation continue to evolve. Tools like this help us build fully inclusive learning environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Canvas\u2019s new Course Accessibility Checker represents a meaningful leap forward in simplifying accessibility compliance. For convenors, it reduces complexity and time spent searching for issues. Making our Canvas modules more accessible and in line with universal design for learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have any questions or would like more support with accessibility in your teaching, please <a href=\"https:\/\/staff.sussex.ac.uk\/teaching\/enhancement\/\">visit the EE Staff Hub<\/a> or email us at <a href=\"mailto:ee@sussex.ac.uk\">ee@sussex.ac.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Educational Enhancement&#8217;s latest blog by Mark Thomas (Learning Technologist) What Canvas&nbsp;have&nbsp;released&nbsp;a&nbsp;great&nbsp;update to its support of accessibility within&nbsp;modules: a&nbsp;new Course Accessibility Checker.&nbsp;Designed to&nbsp;help making your modules more&nbsp;accessible&nbsp;easier, faster, and more intuitive.&nbsp;The key difference is that&nbsp;a&nbsp;dedicated accessibility&nbsp;tool&nbsp;will be available&nbsp;from the navigation pane&nbsp;on<span class=\"ellipsis\">&hellip;<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/2026\/03\/18\/canvas-new-course-accessibility-checker\/\">Read more &#8250;<\/a><\/div>\n<p><!-- end of .read-more --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":358,"featured_media":10464,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2026\/03\/Capture-1.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10440"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/358"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10440"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10440\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10454,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10440\/revisions\/10454"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10464"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10440"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10440"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10440"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}