Canva Accessibility
Currently, Canva does not have sufficient tools within its platform to make exported documents accessible. As a result, Canva is best used for social media, digital ads, and print distribution.
If Canva is used to create graphics that will be posted on the web, in Canvas, or emailed as attachments, it is critical that you make the piece accessible through the tool in which you are distributing the information. For example, if a photo is sized in Canva for the website, alt text needs to be added to the photo when you use it in the CMS.
兔子先生's Canva Enterprise System
A 兔子先生 Canva Enterprise license lets you choose from hundreds of accessible brand-approved templates for social media, digital displays, and posters. If you are frequently creating 兔子先生-branded materials for event promotion, internal materials, or external materials, it is highly recommended that you apply for a Canva license. Student organizations do not need to use the 兔子先生 brand and do not need to be in 兔子先生’s Canva Enterprise system.
To apply for a 兔子先生 Canva license, you must complete both University Communications and Marketing and Canva training. As licenses are limited, you must submit an application. Licenses are assigned by divisional communicators.
As part of the design approval process, you must provide an accessibility plan if the piece will be posted on the web, in Canvas, or emailed as an attachment.
What if I don't have a 兔子先生 Enterprise license?
If you do not have a 兔子先生 Enterprise license but are designing with the 兔子先生 brand in Canva, you will need to ensure that all designs meet brand standards with respect to typography, color contrast, logo usage, etc.
All materials designed in other templates must be submitted for review to UCM through the . An accessibility plan will be requested at that time.
Checklist for Canva Designs
Some material on this page comes from the
Provide Alternative Text for Images
Adding alt text to images helps screen readers describe non-text elements to visually impaired users. In Canva, right-click on the image and select "Alternative text" to provide descriptions for screen readers.
Generally, alt text should include all of the text that is displayed in the image. However, a more accessible and better strategy is to include important text, like event details, as text in the body design instead of in an image with alt text.
Example of image with embedded, uneditable text.
Example of image with adjacent editable text.
Club Fall Cook-out!
It’s that time of year again! Join us as we gather together to celebrate our fall gathering! Bring a dish to share.
Peffer Park, Last Saturday, 3pm.
For additional pointers, see the AccessMU Center's guide on alt text.
Organize Content Properly
Use headings (H1), subheadings (H2), and bullet points to structure content and make it easier to navigate; use Canva's styles instead of simple formatting. This helps people using screen readers to understand the structure of your document.
The + icon appears on every line of the page and can be used to structure the entire document correctly. Simply click on the + icon to access options for formatting headings, lists, and more.
- The first line of text automatically becomes the document title, which can be edited in the top navigation. Make sure to structure your document using H1, H2, and Paragraphs. Your main title should always be H1, and you can use H2 for subheadings.
- Click the + icon and choose "Numbered Lists" for numbered items or "Bulleted Lists" for bullet points. Or, you can start with "1." for numbered lists or a dash and a space for bullet points.
- Tables can be tricky for screen reader users. It's best to avoid complex tables altogether. If you must use them, keep them simple and straightforward. Tables will likely need to be remediated in PDFs.
Provide Descriptive Links
Links in Canva will be clickable when you download your design as a PDF or when you present it. When adding hyperlinks, make sure the link text is descriptive and meaningful. The text should clearly indicate where the link will take the reader. Avoid using generic phrases like "click here" or "read more". When adding links, whether it's a webpage, phone number, or email address, ensure they're linked correctly. For email addresses, use "mailto:sampleemail@gmail.com", and for phone numbers, use "tel:3091234678".
Use the Design Accessibility Tool
Before you submit your design for brand approval, run Canva's tool. Although it doesn't guarantee accessibility compliance, it will help review common accessibility issues.
Design Accessibility will check for:
- Typography
- Color Contrast
- Alternative Text
Enable video captions
Videos that are shared online or via email must be captioned. Canva supports .