Using Accessibility Checker in D2L Brightspace

Question

What is the Accessibility Checker in D2L Brightspace? What does the Accessibility Check do?

Overview

When creating content in any text box editor, the Accessibility Checker helps flag content that is inaccessible to students who use screen readers. Before publishing or sharing content, you are expected to run the checker and address flagged issues.

To use the Accessibility Checker:

1. Edit any web page, announcement, or other text box in D2L Brightspace.
2. Locate the Accessibility Checker button in the toolbar; it looks like a person with a circle around it.
3. If you do not see the checker icon, try these steps:
   1. Click the more actions button in the menu; this looks like three horizontal or vertical dots in a line.
   2. Click the expand to full screen button in the menu, which resembles four arrows pointing out to the corners of a square.
4. Click the Accessibility Checker button to run a check.

Example of an accessibility check:

 Keys to Accessible Content

Here are a few keys to creating accessible content in D2L Brightspace:

• Format: Use built-in heading/format styles in order (Heading 1 at the top-most level, then Heading 2, then Heading 3). Use normal or paragraph format for text content.
• Color Contrast: Use high-contrast color combinations and verify them with a contrast checker. 
• Alternative Text: Add alternative text to all non-decorative images, tables, and graphs. Alternative text provides a brief description of the content and meaning of the image.
• Captions/Transcripts: Include edited captions and transcripts for all video and audio content.
• Learn even more about the different aspects of the Accessibility Checker, how to use it, and more ways to create accessible content in D2L Brightspace.