Using Accessible, Mobile-ready Files

When adding files to Canvas, there are two things to evaluate. 

  • Is the file compatible with mobile phones/tables or assistive technologies?
  • Can the content be interpreted by the assistive technology or mobile device?

Compatibility

This refers to the technical capabilities of the phone or assistive device, and the file you upload. Generally:

  • Common office files like Microsoft Office and Adobe PDF are usually readable.
  • Internet-ready image, video, and audio files are usually readable. These include .png, .jpg, and .gif for images, .mp4 and .mp3 for video and audio. 

Note that compatibility doesn't mean that the student can read the content. The materials will technically work, though. 

Tips for Documents

  1. Text documents (e.g. PDF, Word) files should be text, not images of a printed page. Images of pages can't be read by text-to-speech tools, nor easily manipulated on phones. How can you tell? Open the PDF, and try and select text. If you can paste it into a word processor, and edit the page, then it's text. If your PDF was scanned by an office copier, then it is a string of images, and not accessible.
  2. Text document (PDF, Word) should be formatted with a single column of text. Multiple columns are difficult to read on screen. Creating PDF files with a single column of text that can be re-sized allows students to display the content in a way that's easier to read... on any device.

Learning More

Once you complete the Orientation, you can learn more about creating accessible courses in the Intermediate: Building Accessible Content and Intermediate: Building A Mobile-Savvy Canvas Course modules.