All D2L courses and course materials should be designed with accessibility requirements in mind to ensure courses are accessible for all students. The following tools, D2L resources, and trainings are available to assist with meeting accessibility requirements.

Accessibility in D2L

D2L closely follows web accessibility standards and works with interested clients to test the usability of products and tools. D2L has implemented multiple accessibility tools to ensure D2L courses are accessible to all faculty and students. These tools are located in strategic areas that aim to be convenient to both end users- faculty during the course design process, and for students once the course has begun. View the following accessibility tools available in D2L:

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Accessing Alternative Formats for a Course File in D2L

The Ally integration in D2L provides instructors and students access to automatically generated alternative formats for files in D2L courses and makes the files available for download.

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Accessibility Checker Overview

The Accessibility Checker is used to review content within the HTML Editor to ensure that the HTML page conforms to the Web Content Accessibility Guideline (WCAG) and Section 508 accessibility standards.

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Adding & Editing Alternative Text (Alt Text) for Images

When an image is inserted into the HTML Editor, using Insert Image, users will be promoted to provide alternative text. Alternative text, also known as alt text, should provide a clear text alternative of the image for screen reader users.

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Concourse and Accessibility

The Concourse Syllabus integration in D2L provides instructors and students access to course syllabi assigned to each D2L course. Instructors can update and edit sections of the syllabus to ensure up-to-date information is provided to students each semester.

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D2L Accessibility Checker

The D2L Accessibility Checker helps ensure that HTML content in D2L meets accessibility standards.

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Editing Closed Captions with Kaltura

Editing closed captions in Kaltura Media Player allows you to make changes to the captions for a video, such as correcting spelling and punctuation, adding speaker names, and adjusting the timing in D2L.

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ReadSpeaker

The ReadSpeaker integration in D2L provides instructors and students access to text-to-speech and reading/writing tools for listening to and interacting with uploaded documents and HTML webpages in D2L courses.

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TextAid

The TextAid integration in D2L provides instructors and students access to a web-based, personal reading and writing support tool that supports written content both inside and outside of D2L.

Accessibility Trainings
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Creating Accessible Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets

Estimated Completion Time:
30 - 45 minutes

Enroll in Course

Creating Accessible Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets is a self-paced, interactive learning experience to help you create accessible Excel spreadsheets.

Note: Many of the examples provided in this training reflect Microsoft Excel on a PC computer, the Mac user experience may differ slightly.

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Creating Accessible Microsoft Word Documents

Estimated Completion Time:
45 - 60 minutes

Enroll in Course

Creating Accessible Microsoft Word Documents is a self-paced, interactive learning experience to guide the design of accessible Word documents by focusing on identifying and correcting accessibility issues to ensure access to all users.

Note: Many of the examples provided in this training reflect Microsoft Word on a PC computer, the Mac user experience may differ slightly.

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Creating Accessible PDF Documents with Adobe Acrobat Pro

Estimated Completion Time:
15 - 25 minutes

Enroll in Course

 

Creating Accessible PDF Documents is a self-paced, interactive learning experience to guides users through using the Make Accessible Wizard in Adobe Acrobat Pro, as well as explore common accessibility issues that occur in PDFs. This training will also explore why it may be beneficial to take a Reduce, Replace, and Remediate approach when working with PDFs.

One Minute or Less Videos
Adobe Acrobat Pro
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Changing Reading Order in Adobe Acrobat Pro

Learn how to change the reading order of items in a PDF.

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Changing Tag Types in Adobe Acrobat Pro

Learn how to change tag types in a PDF using the Reading Order tool.

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Exporting PDFs to Microsoft Office Formats

Learn how to export a PDF to a Microsoft Office format.

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The Make Accessible Wizard in Adobe Acrobat Pro

Learn how to access and use the Make Accessible Wizard.

Microsoft Word
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Checking Color Contrast in Word Documents

Learn how to use proper color contrast.

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Providing Alt-Text for Images in Word Documents

Learn how to add alternative text to images, and mark images as decorative.

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Selecting Font Size and Type for Word Documents

Learn how to select font and font size for readability in online and print documents.

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Using Headings in Word Documents

Learn how to apply proper headings and heading structures.

Microsoft Excel
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Formatting Sheets in Microsoft Excel

Learn how to add descriptive sheet names, delete unused sheets, and apply accessible font sizes.

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Formatting Tables in Microsoft Excel

Learn how to add descriptive table names, and apply alt text to tables.

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Structuring Tables in Microsoft Excel

Learn how to apply simple table structures to aid in access and interpretation of data.

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Using Multiple Means of Representation in Microsoft Excel

Learn how to use multiple means of representation for negative numbers and graphs.

Microsoft PowerPoint
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Editing Slide Titles in PowerPoint

Learn how to add, edit or hide slide titles.

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Setting Reading Order in PowerPoint

Learn how to set the proper reading order for slide objects.

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Using Built in Themes in PowerPoint

Learn how to apply accessible themes to slides.

External Accessibility Resources

It’s likely that significant amounts of course content will take the form of documents, PowerPoint presentations, PDFs, and other files created outside of D2L which are then added to your course. It’s essential that every effort be made to make these files accessible for all learners as well. For support and assistance with making other course materials accessible outside of D2L, use the following resources:

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Adobe Acrobat – Create and verify PDF accessibility

Acrobat tools make it easy to create accessible PDFs and check the accessibility of existing PDFs.

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Checking the Reading Order for Powerpoint Presentations

Some people with visual impairments use a screen reader to read the information on the slide. When you create slides, putting the objects in a logical reading order is crucial for screen-reader users to understand the slide.

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Microsoft – Make Your Content Accessible to Everyone

Unlock your content for everyone. Many Microsoft 365 apps include an Accessibility Checker that finds accessibility problems and lists suggestions, or you can find specific tips for making your content accessible.

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Microsoft – Use the Accessibility Checker in Office 365

Before you send an Outlook email message or share a Word document, Excel spreadsheet, PowerPoint presentation, or OneNote notebook, run the Accessibility Checker to make your content easier for people with disabilities to read and edit.

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WebAIM.org Color Contrast Checker

This tool allows easy contrast testing of any content on your screen by using the foreground and background eyedropper tools.