When using an LMS, it’s essential to ensure that your course materials are accessible to all learners, including those with learning difficulties or disabilities. Key considerations for accessibility include:

• Formatting: Use clear and consistent headings, bullet points, and spacing to make content easier to navigate.

• ALT-Text: Provide descriptive ALT-text for images to ensure that students using screen readers can understand visual content.

• Contrasting Colors: Choose high-contrast color combinations to enhance readability for students with visual impairments.

• Screen Reader Compatibility: Ensure materials are compatible with screen readers by using accessible file formats and structured content.

• Closed Captions: Include captions for videos and transcripts for audio content to support students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The accessibility features and tools available in each of the four LMSs examined—Google Classroom, Brightspace (D2L), Blackboard, and Canvas—will be explored in the sections below.

Closed captions in google slides

Keyboard shortcuts in Google Suite

Collaboration in Google Docs

High contrast mode in email and chromebook

Producing accessible content

Select-to-speak in Google chromebook

Magnification

Braille display

Highlights

Screen reader

Voice Typing

Google Meet accessibility

Executive Function support

Focus support

Writing support

Reading Support

Built-in templates
Screen reader compatibility
Accessibility checker
ALT-text
Color contrast warnings
Easy navigation

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

keyboard navigation

content creation tools

Consistent layout

Heading structure for content hierarchy

Allows assistive technologies to navigate page content

There is a whole playlist on the different accessibility features of Canvas.

Formatting
ALT-text
Accessibility checker
Video captions
Embedded content
Converting PDFs
Immersive reader