{"id":522,"date":"2025-08-28T20:52:07","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T03:52:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningfaculty-redesign-dev\/?page_id=522"},"modified":"2026-06-11T11:58:20","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T18:58:20","slug":"the-student-perspective","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningfaculty\/guides-resources\/digital-accessibility\/the-student-perspective\/","title":{"rendered":"The Student Perspective"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"section section-white body-section-wrapper alignfull wp-block-bc-sitka-spruce-body-section\">\n\t<div class=\"container-xl\">\n\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"body-section-content col-md-8\">\n\t\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-brutus-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-828a79a5be5e97c379999ed0798e1b34\">When Learning Isn\u2019t Accessible<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-mayflower-blocks-lead lead\">As instructors, we strive to build meaningful, engaging learning experiences. But what happens when a course isn\u2019t designed with accessibility in mind? For students with disabilities, small barriers can quickly become major roadblocks. Sometimes making it difficult or even impossible to participate fully. When technology is accessible, disability becomes far less limiting. But when it&#8217;s not, the burden shifts unfairly to the student to find workarounds or miss out. This is the human side of accessibility and it\u2019s why thoughtful design in our digital classrooms matters so deeply.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"callout-wrapper col\">\n\t<aside class=\"callout text-margin-reset \">\n\t\t<h3 class=\"callout__heading card-title-small\">Student Accommodations?<\/h3>\n\t\t<p>Students with disabilities are entitled to equal access in classrooms and across campus\u2014physically and digitally. Guide students to connect with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) to request accommodations.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"callout__button\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/drc\/\"  class=\"btn btn-primary\">\n\t\tVisit the DRC Website\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<hr class=\"section-divider\" \/>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"accordion-section-wrapper section section-xlight\">\n\t<div class=\"container-xl\">\n\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"accordion-section-content col-md-8\">\n\t<div class=\"accordion-section-heading\">\n\t\t<h2>Canvas Student Features for Accessibility<\/h2>\n\t\tCanvas includes a variety of built-in accessibility features designed to support diverse learning needs and help all students succeed. Whether they use screen readers, prefer to listen to content, need visual adjustments, or rely on keyboard navigation, Canvas offers tools that make it easier to access course materials, stay organized, and participate fully in your classes.\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mayflower-blocks-collapsibles accordion\" id=\"accordion_f0a2a0f7-5661-41bd-8b9d-98f05fbed6ec\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-mayflower-blocks-collapse accordion-item\"><h3 class=\"accordion-header mb-0\" id=\"heading_a64f2bb5-7246-43ca-bc63-bacfe3d0e45c\"><button class=\"accordion-button bg-default text-bg-default\n\t\t collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapse_a64f2bb5-7246-43ca-bc63-bacfe3d0e45c\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapse_a64f2bb5-7246-43ca-bc63-bacfe3d0e45c\">Microsoft Immersive Reader<\/button><\/h3><div id=\"collapse_a64f2bb5-7246-43ca-bc63-bacfe3d0e45c\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"heading_a64f2bb5-7246-43ca-bc63-bacfe3d0e45c\" data-parent=\"#accordion_f0a2a0f7-5661-41bd-8b9d-98f05fbed6ec\" data-bs-parent=\"#accordion_f0a2a0f7-5661-41bd-8b9d-98f05fbed6ec\"><div class=\"accordion-body bg-default text-bg-default\n\t\t\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Microsoft Immersive Reader is an inclusively designed tool available on all Canvas pages and through the alternative formats download options. It allows students to listen to text-based content, supports reading comprehension through a clean and customizable interface, and provides translation into multiple languages. This tool is designed to enhance accessibility and support a wide range of learning needs. Review the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/guides.instructure.com\/m\/4212\/l\/1165735-how-do-i-use-the-microsoft-immersive-reader-in-a-course-as-a-student\">Immersive Reader guide<\/a>&nbsp;to learn more.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mayflower-blocks-collapse accordion-item\"><h3 class=\"accordion-header mb-0\" id=\"heading_091ffbb6-cbdf-43fd-8f60-83eada578646\"><button class=\"accordion-button bg-default text-bg-default\n\t\t collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapse_091ffbb6-cbdf-43fd-8f60-83eada578646\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapse_091ffbb6-cbdf-43fd-8f60-83eada578646\">Keyboard Shortcuts and Screen Readers<\/button><\/h3><div id=\"collapse_091ffbb6-cbdf-43fd-8f60-83eada578646\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"heading_091ffbb6-cbdf-43fd-8f60-83eada578646\" data-parent=\"#accordion_f0a2a0f7-5661-41bd-8b9d-98f05fbed6ec\" data-bs-parent=\"#accordion_f0a2a0f7-5661-41bd-8b9d-98f05fbed6ec\"><div class=\"accordion-body bg-default text-bg-default\n\t\t\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Canvas is tested for screen reader accessibility using the most widely used screen reader and browser combinations, including JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. These pairings are selected based on current usage data and are updated as user preferences evolve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Canvas includes built-in keyboard shortcuts to support faster navigation and improve accessibility. To view a list of shortcuts in individual discussions, announcements, or the Rich Content Editor, press&nbsp;Alt+F8&nbsp;on a PC or&nbsp;Option+F8&nbsp;on a Mac. To view shortcuts on the Assignments Index page, Modules Index page, Gradebook, and SpeedGrader, press&nbsp;Shift+?. Keyboard shortcuts are available on several key Canvas pages, including Announcements, Assignments, Course Settings (Navigation tab), Discussions, Gradebook, Modules, New Quizzes, the Rich Content Editor, and SpeedGrader. For more information, view the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/community.canvaslms.com\/t5\/Canvas-Resource-Documents\/Canvas-Keyboard-Shortcuts\/ta-p\/387069\">Canvas Keyboard Shortcut resource document<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mayflower-blocks-collapse accordion-item\"><h3 class=\"accordion-header mb-0\" id=\"heading_a9d5e2b7-109c-44b4-a0de-25be57d9522c\"><button class=\"accordion-button bg-default text-bg-default\n\t\t collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapse_a9d5e2b7-109c-44b4-a0de-25be57d9522c\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapse_a9d5e2b7-109c-44b4-a0de-25be57d9522c\">User Account Settings in Canvas<\/button><\/h3><div id=\"collapse_a9d5e2b7-109c-44b4-a0de-25be57d9522c\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"heading_a9d5e2b7-109c-44b4-a0de-25be57d9522c\" data-parent=\"#accordion_f0a2a0f7-5661-41bd-8b9d-98f05fbed6ec\" data-bs-parent=\"#accordion_f0a2a0f7-5661-41bd-8b9d-98f05fbed6ec\"><div class=\"accordion-body bg-default text-bg-default\n\t\t\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The User Settings page hosts feature options to enhance accessibility.&nbsp;In Global Navigation, click the&nbsp;Account&nbsp;link, then click the&nbsp;Settings&nbsp;link,&nbsp;Feature Options&nbsp;will appear as the last section on the page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-brutus-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4921215ff4715c39a35fb882d4e3f499\">High Contrast UI<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When enabled, this feature offers higher contrast in buttons, tabs, and other areas throughout Canvas. Learn how to turn this feature on by visiting the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/community.canvaslms.com\/t5\/Student-Guide\/How-do-I-enable-the-high-contrast-user-interface-as-a-student\/ta-p\/391288\">high-contrast guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-brutus-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8c82ea080a8140afbf8ee9b3fe7a6649\">Underline Links<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When enabled, this feature underlines hyperlinks in navigation menus, the Dashboard, and page sidebars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-brutus-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-32091f264f89f8ebee8ce65fd348b9ad\">Dyslexia Friendly Font<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When enabled, this setting replaces the default font in Canvas with OpenDyslexic, an open source font created to help increase readability for readers with dyslexia.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mayflower-blocks-collapse accordion-item\"><h3 class=\"accordion-header mb-0\" id=\"heading_77f41a03-7813-4e67-b744-b67abcdf5dfb\"><button class=\"accordion-button bg-default text-bg-default\n\t\t collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapse_77f41a03-7813-4e67-b744-b67abcdf5dfb\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapse_77f41a03-7813-4e67-b744-b67abcdf5dfb\">Accessing Alternative Formats<\/button><\/h3><div id=\"collapse_77f41a03-7813-4e67-b744-b67abcdf5dfb\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"heading_77f41a03-7813-4e67-b744-b67abcdf5dfb\" data-parent=\"#accordion_f0a2a0f7-5661-41bd-8b9d-98f05fbed6ec\" data-bs-parent=\"#accordion_f0a2a0f7-5661-41bd-8b9d-98f05fbed6ec\"><div class=\"accordion-body bg-default text-bg-default\n\t\t\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When enabled, students are able to access and download a range of alternative and accessible formats for files uploaded to Canvas using Ally. These alternative formats are automatically generated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In a Canvas course, select the Ally alternative format icon&nbsp;<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"46\" height=\"46\" src=\"http:\/\/canvas.jhu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Ally_icon.png\" alt=\"Ally icon for alternative formats\">located next to the page title or any linked resource.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select the alternative format you would like to use.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select \u201cDownload\u201d to download the file to your computer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Open the file on your computer with assistive technology or another application.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2741,"featured_media":0,"parent":455,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template--no-sidebar.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-522","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningfaculty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/522","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningfaculty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningfaculty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningfaculty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2741"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningfaculty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=522"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningfaculty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/522\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2694,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningfaculty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/522\/revisions\/2694"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningfaculty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/455"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningfaculty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=522"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}