#  Digital Accessibility 

 



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## Introduction to Digital Accessibility & Canvas

Digital accessibility involves making electronic content available to and usable by everyone - **at the same time, with the same ease of use** - including and especially people with disabilities. Canvas sites that are accessible are easier to use **for everyone**.

[Harvard's Digital Accessibility Policy](https://accessibility.huit.harvard.edu/digital-accessibility-policy) commits HGSE to create Canvas sites and digital teaching materials that meet the [WCAG 2.1 AA standards for web accessibility](https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/glance/).

HGSE requires faculty and staff to pay heed to their particular responsibilities as we work as a school to achieve full compliance.

You are not alone! If you need trainings, any support, or have any questions, please do not hesitate to [contact the instructional technology team](mailto:canvas@gse.harvard.edu).

## Responsibilities

### **Responsibilities for Everyone**

Anyone and everyone who edits a Canvas site -- including faculty, TA/TFs, and staff:

- Should be trained on digital accessibility requirements.
- Must attempt to maintain accessibility standards.

### **Responsibilities for Site Owners**

Anyone who owns a Canvas site -- including faculty who operate course sites -- is responsible for the accessibility of their Canvas site, including:

- Working with HGSE IT to design accessible sites and documents.
- Ensuring those editing the site are trained on accessibility.
- Ensuring the site and materials shared on the site are checked and reviewed for accessibility prior to publishing.

### **Canvas Site Requirements**

- Pages and documents/handouts should be manually reviewed for accessibility.
- The "Accessibility Dashboard" automated checker should be used to scan the site for errors and alerts. Errors should be resolved and alerts reviewed.
- The content block at the bottom of the homepage concerning accessibility must not be removed.
- The sidebar link to "Report an Access Barrier" must not be removed and must be added if missing after importing.

## Resources and Trainings

Our team can provide training, consultations, and active assistance - just let us know. Harvard's Digital Accessibility Services also provide trainings. Instructional Team members responsible for editing Canvas should take the Digital Accessibility for Content Creators training.

### Key Resources

- [Canvas, Course Materials, and Digital Accessibility Training Video](/resource/canvas-course-materials-and-digital-accessibility-training-video "Canvas, Course Materials, and Digital Accessibility Training Video")
- [Canvas Accessibility Cheat Sheet (PDF)](/sites/g/files/omnuum3251/files/2025-02/Canvas%20Accessibility%20Cheat%20Sheet.pdf "Canvas Accessibility Cheat Sheet")
- [Guide to Digital Accessibility at GSE (PDF)](/sites/g/files/omnuum3251/files/2025-02/Guide%20to%20Digital%20Accessibility%20at%20GSE.pdf "Guide to Digital Accessibility at GSE")
- [Subtitles, Captioning, and Transcription Services: Facts, Resources, and Guidance for GSE (PDF)](https://its.gse.harvard.edu/sites/projects.iq.harvard.edu/files/gse-its/files/policy_memo_-_captioning_and_transcription_services.pdf)



 

###  Trainings from Harvard Digital Accessibility Services 

 



 [ Digital Accessibility for Content Creators (Self-Paced) arrow\_circle\_right ](https://accessibility.huit.harvard.edu/content-creators-self-paced) [ Creating Accessible Documents Using Adobe Acrobat Pro arrow\_circle\_right ](https://accessibility.huit.harvard.edu/accessibility-using-adobe-dc-pro) [ Creating Accessible Documents Using Microsoft Office arrow\_circle\_right ](https://accessibility.huit.harvard.edu/creating-accessible-documents-microsoft-office) [ Instructor-Led Trainings arrow\_circle\_right ](https://accessibility.huit.harvard.edu/all-instructor-led-trainings)