Creating digitally accessible lists means not relying on formatting or typing to define a list within your document. Instead, list accessibility refers to the practice of designing lists in a way that allows users with disabilities, particularly those relying on screen readers, to easily navigate and understand the information presented within a list by using semantically appropriate tags to structure the content and indicate the order of items, making it easier for assistive technologies to interpret and read aloud.
Creating lists in Canvas
Lists can be created in Canvas's Rich Content Editor (RCE). Use the Ordered and Unordered Lists button to create lists (unordered lists are created by default upon selecting the button. If you'd like to make an ordered list, select the dropdown button next to the Ordered and Unordered Lists button to choose different kinds of bullets for unordered lists or to choose an ordered list labeled with numbers, letters, or Roman numerals.
Creating lists in Microsoft Word
Learn more about creating lists in Microsoft Word.
Creating lists in Microsoft PowerPoint
Learn more about creating lists in Microsoft PowerPoint.
Additional considerations when making lists
Ordered (numbered) lists
Use an ordered list when communicating steps that must be completed in a certain order, when listing out a certain number of items (e.g., "Please pay attention to the following three items"), and/or when your list items form a sequence.
Unordered (bulleted) lists
Use an unordered list when the order of your list items does not matter. Another great use of unordered lists is to break up long blocks of text.
Combining or nesting lists
You can use ordered lists nested inside unordered lists and/or unordered lists nested inside ordered lists.
General considerations
Two or more items are typically needed to make a list. Additionally, lists can be used to break up larger blocks of text into a format that is easier to read.