The Rich Content Editor (RCE) is used in Canvas to create formatted text with various multi-media elements such as images, videos, links, and tables, similar to a word processor interface. Within Canvas, the RCE is used in Announcements, Assignments, Discussions, Pages, Quizzes, and Syllabus. The RCE includes an accessibility tool that detects common accessibility errors within the editor. Instructors can use the Accessibility Checker to design course content while considering accessibility barriers.
Note: The Canvas accessibility checker only verifies content created within the Rich Content Editor; instructors will need to use other accessibility tools to verify additional content in Canvas, such as files.
Using the accessibility checker
Complete instructions on how to use the accessibility checker in the Rich Content Editor are available from Canvas.
Additional considerations for Canvas
Headings
Headings help users understand the structure of a page and find specific content. Note: By default, the title of your page or item in Canvas is a Heading 1, so this option
is not available in the RCE. Your first heading must be Heading 2. Information on how to modify text in the RCE is available in the article; How do I add and modify text in the Rich Content Editor?
Lists
Using bulleted or numbered lists rather than formatting or typing makes it easier for a assistive technologies to interpret. A semantically structured list from a Word document copied into the RCE typically retains the formatting. If you are creating new content, information on creating a bulleted or numbered list is available in the article, How do I add and modify text in the Rich Content Editor?
Links
In Canvas, accessible links refer to hyperlinks that are clearly descriptive and convey the exact destination of the link. See examples and guidance in the article, Using descriptive hyperlink text. Once a link has been added, the link text can be edited using the RCE. More information about editing hyperlinks is available in the article, How do I edit or remove hyperlinks in the Rich Content Editor?
Tables
To ensure any tables added to Canvas are accessible, follow the steps in the article, Creating accessible tables in Canvas. Note: Table headers defined in a Word document before a table is copied and pasted into the Rich Content Editor will not retain the defined headers in Canvas.
Images
The RCE allows users to add alt text to embedded images. The Canvas support article, How do I manage alt text and display options for images embedded in the Rich Content Editor? will explain the process for using the image options in Canvas.
Equations
Canvas has an integrated tool for math and science formulas based on LaTeX integrated with the RCE. More information about using the math editor is available in the article, How do I use the math Equation Editor in the Rich Content Editor?