This guide highlights important information on accessibility resources around the university. We hope it will help you learn how to use tools within Canvas and also make your own content more accessible for your peers.
Table of Contents
- Requesting Accommodation
- Key Canvas Features
- Third-Party Tools
- Student Best Practices for Accessible Discussion, Assignments, and Presentations
Requesting Accommodation
Johns Hopkins University is committed to providing accessible and inclusive educational programs for all qualified students, including those with disabilities. For more information, you are encouraged to review the guidelines and contact the office or individual who coordinates disability accommodations for your school or program. Learn more at the Student Accommodations site.
Key Canvas Features
Canvas has a variety of helpful accessibility features for all students. Learn more about what features are available to you.
Microsoft Immersive Reader
The (Microsoft) Immersive Reader is an inclusively designed tool that is available on all pages within Canvas as well as an alternative formats download option. The tool allows students to listen to text-based Canvas pages. Its design is easy to use to promote reading comprehension and translate into multiple languages. Review the Immersive Reader guide to learn more.
Keyboard Shortcuts and Screen Readers
Learn more about the accessibility standards in Canvas, including information on using various screen readers and keyboard shortcuts. View the Canvas Accessibility Guide.
High Contrast Settings
The high-contrast user interface enhances the color contrast of text, buttons, and other elements so they are more distinct and easier to identify in Canvas. Learn how to turn this feature on by visiting the high-contrast guide.
Alternative Formats in Canvas
Canvas has a wealth of alternative formats that you can use to engage with course content. The university uses a tool called Ally that works in every course. It allows you to download alternative formats of Canvas pages and linked resources. Each page and resource will show an Ally icon 
to indicate whether alternative formats are available.
Accessing Alternative Formats
You can follow the written steps or watch this helpful Ally First Steps video (1 minute) to learn how to download alternative formats.
Video Guidance
Written Guidance
- Once in your Canvas course, select the Ally alternative format icon . It will be next to the page title or the linked resource.
- Select the alternative format you would like to use.
- Select “Download” to download the file to your computer.
- Open the file on your computer with assistive technology or another application.
Types of Alternative Formats
Audio
- Description: MP3 version for listening.
- Benefits:
- Great for commuting!
- Great if you prefer listening to content!
- Available on a mobile device.
- Adjust playback speed.
- Can be used on an assistive device? Yes
- Limitations: Limited support for accessible math.
- Available for content built on Canvas pages: Yes
- Available for uploaded files: Yes
- Use offline? Yes
BeeLine Reader
- Description: Enhanced version for easier and faster on-screen reading. From the developer: “We use a simple cognitive trick — an eye-guiding color gradient — to pull your eyes through long blocks of text. This helps you read more effectively and maintain your focus better.”
- Benefits:
- Great for commuting!
- Great if you prefer reading content!
- Great if you suffer from screen fatigue!
- HTML based for use on many devices.
- Mobile device.
- Can be used on an assistive device? Yes
- Limitations: No known limitations.
- Available for content built on Canvas pages: Yes
- Available for uploaded files: Yes
- Use offline? Yes
Electronic Braille
- Description: BRF version is for consumption on electronic braille displays.
- Benefits: Used by notetaker and Braille machines.
- Can be used on an assistive device? Specific device required
- Limitations: No known limitations
- Available for content built on Canvas pages: Yes
- Available for uploaded files: Yes
- Use offline? Yes
ePub
- Description: Used for reading as an e-book on an iPad and other e-book readers.
- Benefits:
- Great for commuting!
- Adapts to different devices.
- Adjust playback speed.
- Adjust text, font and background color.
- Copy, paste and search.
- Highlighting, note-taking, bookmarking.
- Mobile device.
- Accessible math is supported.
- Can be used on an assistive device? Yes
- Limitations: No known limitations.
- Available for content built on Canvas pages: Yes
- Available for uploaded files: Yes
- Use offline? Yes
HTML
- Description: For viewing in the browser and on mobile devices.
- Benefits:
- Used for clean HTML.
- Adjust text, font and background color.
- Copy, paste and search.
- Highlighting, note-taking, bookmarking.
- Works on Mobile devices.
- Can be used on an assistive device? Yes
- Limitations: Images and accessible math are not included in the downloaded html.
- Available for content built on Canvas pages: No
- Available for uploaded files: Yes
- Use offline? Yes
Immersive Reader
- Description: Aid reading comprehension and grammar skills. Internet required.
- Benefits:
- It’s great for commuting.
- It’s great if you prefer listening to content.
- Adapts to different devices.
- Adjust playback speed.
- Adjust text, font and background color.
- Can be used without download.
- Reads MathML and equations built with Canvas equation editor.
- Translations to multiple languages available.
- Can be used on an assistive device? N/A
- Limitations: No known limitations
- Available for content built on Canvas pages: Yes
- Available for uploaded files: Yes
- Use offline? No
Tagged PDF
- Description: Structured PDF for improved use with assistive technology.
- Benefits:
- Great if you prefer reading content!
- Copy, paste and search.
- Highlighting, note-taking, bookmarking.
- Can be used with an assistive device.
- Accessible math is supported.
- Can be used on an assistive device? Yes
- Limitations: If the original document not accessible, the tagged PDF will not be accessible.
- Available for content built on Canvas pages: No
- Available for uploaded files: Yes
- Use offline? Yes
Third-Party Tools
The university uses a variety of 3rd party tools that connect with Canvas. Not all courses use these tools but depending on your course and instructor, you may use some on the following list. Learn more about the accessibility features of these university-wide tools.
Student Best Practices for Accessible Discussion, Assignments, and Presentations
Use the following resources to learn how to make your content more accessible and support your professional experience by making content that works for more people.