CATLST

Digital Accessibility Resources

Digitally accessible course materials refer to digital course content such as Canvas pages, instructional videos, linked websites, course PDFs, and any other digital classroom elements that are effectively designed to ensure they can be accessed and used by people of all abilities.

The University of Wisconsin–Whitewater is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive educational experience for all. This page provides resources for instructors to aid them in ensuring all of the digital materials they provide in their courses meet digital accessibility standards.

Six Ways to Increase Digital Accessibility

1. Use Alt Text for Images: Provide descriptive alternative text for all images to help users understand the content.

2. Provide Captioning and Transcription: Provide accurate captioning for all videos and transcripts for audio recordings. Upload videos to Kaltura through Canvas-My Media to automatically caption and transcribe uploaded videos.

3. Use Clear headings and subheadings: Use clear headings and subheadings to organize content and make it easy to scan and navigate.

4. Use Descriptive Link Text: Use clear and concise link text that explains where the link will take the user, rather than generic phrases like "Click here".

5. Ensure Text Readability: Use color appropriately and sparingly. Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background colors. Use a sans-serif font and at least 12-point font size.

6. Use Accessibility Review Tools: Utilize built-in accessibility features in tools like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Google Docs, and the UDOIT Canvas Accessibility scanner to regularly review and test your course materials for accessibility and to identify and fix issues.

Canvas Course - Digital Accessibility 101

Instructional designers and technologists across the Universities of Wisconsin worked together to provide faculty with this exceptional Digital Accessibility 101 Canvas Course. The course is available for any instructor to access for training and additional resources as they develop or revise courses to meet digital accessibility standards. Self-enroll at any time!

Digital Accessibility Checklist

Refer to the UWW Digital Accessibility Checklist when creating new digital content or modifying existing content to enhance its accessibility. The file is available in Google Docs and is editable, allowing you to personalize it to fit your needs by adding further reminders, links, or preferences.

Summer Learning Circle

Summer Digital Accessibility Learning Circle

Enhance the accessibility of your courses by participating in the virtual 9-week Digital Accessibility Learning Circle this summer! Join us weekly for engaging discussions and interactive hands-on practice. We'll be using the UWW Digital Accessibility 101 Canvas Course as our guide, ensuring you gain practical skills to create inclusive learning experiences for all students. Don’t miss this opportunity to make a difference!

When: Wednesdays from 1:00-2:00 pm | June 18 - August 13, 2025

Where: WebEx

Please sign up via Qualtrics by Monday, June 16. If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact CATLST at catlst@uww.edu.

CATLST Digital Accessibility Workshops

View the CATLST Workshop calendar to sign up for our Accessibility in Action workshop series. Offered face-to-face and online, these hands-on workshops are designed to demonstrate essential digital accessibility course accommodations and then provide instructors one-on-one assistance to implement those strategies directly into their courses. Topics include:

Designing Accessible Lecture Slides
Designing Accessible Lecture Videos
Designing Accessible Canvas Pages
Using the Canvas UDOIT Accessibility Checker

Schedule a Consultation

Have questions? Need more in-depth training on a particular aspect of digital accessibility? CATLST understands that specialized course materials in various disciplines may require unique modifications to ensure accessibility. We encourage instructors to book one-on-one consultations with one of our Teaching, Learning, and Technology consultants to get personalized support.

Request a Consultation