D2L tips for accessibility, from Linkedin Learning™
Enabling user accessibility from Learning Brightspace by D2L by Alan Ackmann
In the Innovation Center:
Guide to Digital Accessibility: Policies, Practices, and Professional Development
Design your course for all learners
On April 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a final rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), requiring public colleges and universities to ensure that their websites and mobile applications meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. This rule provides clear, enforceable standards for digital accessibility, reflecting a growing recognition that access to information is a civil right.
Accessible design benefits everyone. Clear navigation, readable text, captioned media, and adaptable interfaces improve usability for all users, including those accessing content on mobile devices, in noisy environments, or with impairments. Accessibility fosters innovation, inclusivity, and resilience—values that are central to the mission of higher education.
To support faculty in creating inclusive and equitable learning experiences, we have developed a listing of resources and guide sheets that focus on accessibility. These resources are provided to help ensure that instructional materials meet accessibility standards and are usable by all learners.
The Ally accessibility tools available in all D2L Brightspace courses identify accessibility errors and provides guidance on correcting them. Resources and frequently asked questions related to Ally may be found on the Innovation Center’s Ally web page.
Accessible documents should include alternative text descriptions for all images, designated headings in a logical order, and sufficient color contrast. Images should be in line with the text content and not be superimposed over text or be set to have text wrapping around them. Word has an accessibility checking tool available on the review tab that will provide feedback and guidance on correcting accessibility errors.
Applying Headings in Word (Tutorial)
Adding Alternative Text Descriptions in Word (Tutorial)
Using the Accessibility Checking Tool in Word (Tutorial)
Slides within a presentation should include a unique title, logical heading structure, alternative text descriptions for all images, and sufficient color contrast. The slide layouts available in PowerPoint include text placeholders for titles and content and help ensure that the slides contain content in a logical order. PowerPoint has an accessibility checking tool available on the Review tab that will identify any accessibility errors and provide instructions for correcting them.
WebAIM Recommended Techniques for Creating Accessible Presentations
Microsoft Guide for Creating Accessible PowerPoint Presentations
Documents that were scanned with older scanners that do not recognize text are inaccessible and cannot be read with a screen reader. If the document is legible and uses a standard font, it can often be printed and rescanned with a modern scanner that recognizes text and will meet the accessibility standards with minimal editing.
PDF documents that have accessibility errors such as the lack of alternative text descriptions, poor color contrast, and heading structure issues may often be converted to Word format and corrected with guidance from the Microsoft Accessibility Checking tool.
Correcting Scanned PDF Files – Tutorial by California State University at San Marcos
Video content should include accurate closed captions to ensure accessibility and enhance the learning experience. Instructors can easily upload video files to the Echo360 streaming platform, for which Kish’s has a site license. Once uploaded, videos can be shared directly to the course site in D2L Brightspace. Echo360 automatically generates closed captions, which are typically highly accurate, streamlining the process of making course materials more inclusive.
Learn how to make your course accessible to all! When you register for the site, don't worry if you're asked about payment; this resource is free to Kishwaukee College users.
Set up your MyQM account to use the Accessibility and Usability Resource Site. Choose "No, I am new here," and sign up with your Kish email.
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