Revising course content is an ongoing and evolving effort, and there's no need to make sweeping changes all at once. Instead, small adjustments can have a significant impact, especially when they are considered thoughtfully.
This is the fifth article with a tip about how to revise course content in ways that improve accessibility for all students.
First, Run UDOIT
The Universal Design Online Inspection Tool (UDOIT) (pronounced, "You Do It") is an automated accessibility auditing tool for Canvas courses.
The first step in finding out what needs to be done in your particular course, and getting to where you can fix it, is by running a UDOIT scan.
Featured Remediation Issue
You may notice an issue titled "Insufficient Text Color Contrast With the Background".
What Does This Mean?
Contrast between background and text should be great enough to ensure legibility.
Impact
Adequate contrast of text is necessary for all users, especially users with low vision.
From the Office for Digital Accessibility website: "Just because it looks one way to you when you design your documents and web pages doesn't mean it will look that way to your audience.
- Users of adaptive technologies like screen magnifiers can change the way colors look on their personal display by for example, enabling high contrast mode.
- Some users may be looking at your content while standing in bright sunlight.
- Some may have an older computer monitor with different color calibration settings."
How to Fix
The UDOIT tool in Canvas can make suggestions to automatically adjust the contrast of color on your pages. This is a simple fix!
Scope Tip
Use the Canvas Rich Content Editor's Accessibility Checker to identify errors while editing a page. It's a helpful habit that enables you to spot common mistakes more easily.
How Do I Learn More Skills/Tips?
Visit the Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) website and check out the Learn the 7 Core Accessibility Skills pages.
How To Get Support Help?
Zoom Drop-ins
During mid semester, our virtual academic technology drop-ins sessions are pretty quiet.
Drop-in sessions are offered via Zoom for your convenience at Academic Technology Drop-in (Zoom link).
Spring 2025 drop-in sessions (through May 14). Drop-ins will be held during Spring Break.
- Monday 2 to 3 p.m.
- Tuesday 2 to 3 p.m.
- Wednesday 9 to 10 a.m.
- Thursday 10 to 11 a.m.
Accessibility Jumpstarts
Upcoming Accessibility Jumpstart in-person sessions are scheduled in Kirby Plaza 175.
- Thursday, April 17, 1 to 3 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 23, 9 to 11 a.m.
- Tuesday, April 29, 2 to 4 p.m.
- Friday, May 9, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Thursday, May, 15 1 to 3 p.m.
Schedule Time With an ODA Consultant
The Office for Digital Accessibility holds virtual office hours via Zoom on the first Thursday of every month, 1 to 2 p.m. Central Standard Time.
Submit questions about the accessibility of a University of Minnesota course, website or document via the ODA Consultation or Audit Request Form.