DocAccess

What Is DocAccess?

DocAccess is a tool integrated into Canvas that automatically identifies PDF files in your course and generates accessible versions of those documents. This process helps reduce the need for manual remediation and makes course materials more accessible to students. The original PDF remains unchanged. DocAccess creates an accessible companion version that appears alongside the original file, rather than replacing it. Faculty and students can access these companion versions directly within Canvas using the built-in document viewer. DocAccess works seamlessly across desktops, tablets, and mobile devices.

What You Can Do With It

DocAccess uses Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) assisted reconstruction on PDFs to create WCAG-compliant HTML transcripts to include:

Heading Structures

Organizes content with proper heading levels, making documents easier to navigate for screen reader users.

Alternative Text for Images

Adds descriptive text to images so users who cannot see them can understand their purpose and content.

Transcription of Handwritten Content

Converts handwritten notes and annotations into machine-readable text that can be accessed by assistive technologies.

Correct Table Structure

Identifies and tags table headers, rows, and columns so data can be accurately interpreted by screen readers.

Fillable Form Fields

Converts forms into accessible, interactive fields that users can complete electronically using a keyboard or assistive technology.

Where To Find It

DocAccess is available through the Files area in Canvas. When a PDF has been processed, the DocAccess icon changes from gray to green, indicating that accessible companion versions of the document are available.

The green DocAccess icon appears wherever the file is linked within Canvas, including Pages, Announcements, Discussions, the Syllabus, and Quizzes. While files displayed in Modules do not show the icon directly, the DocAccess icon appears when the PDF is selected and opened in the Canvas viewer.

Help and Resources

Select the + icon next to the sessions to see the access the resources that were shared by SBCTC.

DocAccess works by scanning PDF documents uploaded by instructors into the Canvas Course. The DocAccess feature is turned on within the Files section.

  1. Instructors first navigate to the Files section to locate the PDF documents.
  2. Within the Files section you will see a column titled “Status” with the DocAccess icon located next to the circle icon showing if the PDF is published in the course or not.
  3. If the DocAccess icon is greyed out, the feature has not yet been turned on, or enabled, for that PDF document. Simply click on the icon to turn on the DocAccess feature and create the accessible HTML version. The icon will now appear green.
  4. After the document is processed, you can open the Document viewer. The document viewer is a separate window that opens directly inside Canvas.
  5. After the PDF is opened in the document viewer, you can switch from the “Print-Friendly View” (static PDF) to the “Accessible Transcript View“, which is the accessible HTML version, and can be navigated using Assistive Technologies.
  6. Instructors can use the Download Transcript button to save a copy of the accessible HTML file on your computer or shared drive.
  7. After downloading the accessible HTML file, you can publish the content directly to a Canvas page.

Because documents are converted to responsive HTML, students can access course materials more effectively on phones and tablets.

The following user guide was created and shared by SBCTC. The information in the document gives a detailed view with images and instructions that faculty can follow when using DocAccess. Just as an FYI, the available options mentioned in the image on Page 9 in the guide is a little different in the Bellevue College instance.

This video was created and shared by SBCTC. Other than for the information presented from 6:18 – 7:33, all the other features are relevant to the Doc Access instance in the Bellevue College Canvas course.

headset with microphone with a speech bubble in the middle

Need Assistance?

Just remember, if you need help, we’re here for you! Drop by Faculty Live Support (Zoom or in person) Monday–Friday from 11 AM to 3 PM, schedule a one-on-one accessibility coaching session, or email us anytime at elearning@bellevuecollege.edu.

Get Faculty Support