bCourses Accessibility
RTL and Berkeley strive to provide accessible services and web-based tools. We partner with campus accessibility teams to review both internally developed and purchased solutions.
bCourses utilizes a third-party resource maintained by Canvas(link is external) by Instructure. Current information regarding the accessibility of tool can be found on the vendor’s website(link is external).
If you experience any accessibility issues please let us know via email: bcourseshelp@berkeley.edu.
Accessibility Basics for bCourses Self-Paced Training
The Accessibility Basics for bCourses training course is designed as a stand-alone resource for accessibility support for Instructors, Graduate Student Instructors, Instructional Designers, and staff at UC Berkeley. Those with CalNet authentication can self-enroll in this course in bCourses.
The self-paced training shares best practices leading to the creation of accessible instructional materials within bCourses. By engaging in this course, learners can acquire the following skills:
- Provide alternative text that allows the content and function of images to be read to those with visual or cognitive disabilities
- Add captions to your video files
- Use color strategically
- Include "headings" in your content to improve layout, organization, and semantic structure
- Add title attributes to iFrames so screen reader users can adequately identify the name and role of embedded content such as YouTube videos, Qualtric surveys, or audio players
- Add content to bCourses without "inline styling," which often prevents consistent layout or the ability to zoom text
- Create self-describing links contextualizing the destination of the hyperlinked text
- Utilize numbered and bulleted lists to add identifiable subsections
- Identify strategies for accessible multimedia creation
- Create accessible data tables
Digital Course Content Accessibility Learning Path
The Digital Course Content Accessibility learning path is designed to help instructors create digital course materials that are more accessible, usable, and effective for all students, whether they use screen readers, navigate documents more easily with clear headings and structure, or engage more fully with well-organized course materials.
The learning path aims to provide clear, manageable steps for instructors to proactively ensure their digital course content meets the WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines. Each stage introduces achievable tasks, supported by practical resources and clear examples, making the journey engaging and approachable.