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When information is to be presented electronically, the first choice should be to create this as a web page in Brightspace. Rather than uploading a Word document or PDF with your content, instructors can create a webpage in Brightspace. Brightspace webpages use HTML, which is best for creating interactive, responsive, and accessible content.
Create a File (Web Page)
- In your course, click on the Content tab in your navbar.
- Under Table of Contents, navigate to the module where you want to create a file (web page).
- In your module, click on Upload/Create and select Create a File (Web Page).
- Enter the Title for your page.
- It is recommended that you Select a Document Template for your page. Document Templates include formatting styles, such as heading levels and paragraphs, that help create accessible content while providing structure to organize content into manageable sections, making it easier for learners to work through and process the information (Munyofu et al, 2007). Document templates are also designed to provide a responsive design that is compatible with computers and mobile devices.
Applying a template to an existing page will overwrite the content and you will lose your work. We recommend selecting and applying the template before adding content (images, videos, etc.) to the Brightspace editor. Learn more about document templates in Brightspace.
- Type your content into the page. Be sure to use headings and other formatting options to ensure your content is accessible and displayed in a user-friendly manner.
- Click Save and Close.
Ensuring your File (Web Page) is Accessible
Implement these strategies to help ensure your web pages are accessible and usable to all students.
Use document templates
D2L has developed and shared document templates in an effort to make it easier for course instructors to create accessible, professional looking HTML content files. The templates use a cascading style sheet (CSS) to format the content in HTML files. Accessibility features are built into the templates, allowing instructors to concentrate on adding text, images, and other course resources without concern for proper formatting. After clicking on Create a File (Web Page) in your course, you can find a list of document templates under Select a Document Template. Learn more about using document templates in your course.
Use headings to organize content
Headings provide visual chunks to your content, but they also provide navigation for screen readers. You can't just bold regular text; it's important to apply formatted headings. You should also ensure that headings are used in the correct order - do not skip from H1 to H3. Each heading is important to the navigation and flow of the whole.
In the Brightspace HTML Editor, simply select the text you want to be a Heading. Go to the toolbar and select the proper heading from the formatting drop down menu.
Group items with ordered and unordered lists
Having lists is a great way to help your reader navigate your content; however, it's vital to use the right kind of formatting for your purposes. Unordered (bulleted) lists indicate that your list does not have sequence; all items are of equal importance. Ordered (numbered) lists indicate a sequence. When you use a list, ensure that you are using correct list formatting (ordered or unordered). Don't use a dash (as a bullet) or a number and a period or parentheses (for example (2) or 2. ) at the beginning of a sentence or phrase - that's not a properly formatted list! Don't use lists as a layout tool for indenting. Learn more about using lists in Brightspace.
Link to additional content
Providing well formed links enhances your content to people using assistive technology. Here are some general guidelines for using hyperlinks:
- Make sure your user knows where they're going if they click a link. Saying Click Here with the trigger on the word Here isn't helpful to anyone - whether they use assistive technology or not. Use descriptive text, or the name of the page where you're sending the reader. Don't use the link URL as the link text.
- If multiple links have the same link text, they should go to the same destination.
- Users of screen readers can tab through links as a method of content skimming. Do your links make sense when not in the context of the surrounding content?
For more information, see A few tips on accessible text links video from Nomensa.
Avoid flashing or blinking content
Any flashing/blinking content (especially content in red) can cause seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy as well as other photosensitive seizure disorders, so it should be avoided.
Use a color contrast checker
There is a built-in color checker in the Brightspace HTML editor. As you click on different font colors, the Contrast Ratio numbers will change to indicate the amount of contrast between the font color (foreground color) and the background color. In addition to calculating the contrast ratio numbers, the color checker will also indicate whether the color choices conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
Ally is also integrated into Brightspace and will inform you of any accessibility-related issues, including contrast issues.
Provide alternative text descriptions (ALT text) for images and shapes
Alternative text descriptions of images (ALT text) allows screen reader users to benefit from the information being conveyed by an image. Any image included in your Brightspace course, or any document uploaded to your course, should have alternative text. Learn how to add alternative text to images.
Design tables with accessibility in mind
Designating column and/or row headers in a table is essential to screen reader users understanding how information is laid out. Screen readers usually have a keyboard command that will inform the user what the column and/or row header is for the data cell their cursor is in, making it easier to navigate and understand the tabular data. Even still, tabular data can be daunting to a screen reader user. So it is best to keep tables small if possible. Consider breaking large tables into smaller ones, but always include column and/or row headers on all tables except layout tables. Learn more about creating accessible tables in Brightspace.
To learn more about creating accessible content, visit Brightspace's guide to Make Your HTML Content Pages More Accessible.