Accessibility statement for Canvas
The accessibility statement concerns the learning platform Canvas and the Canvas Student app. Here we describe how Högskolan Väst (University West) complies with the law on accessibility to digital public services, any known accessibility issues, and how you can report deficiencies to us so that we can address them.
It is the American company Instructure that develops Canvas on the web and the Canvas app. The version of Canvas we have tested is version 6.21.0 released on March 20, 2023. Canvas is managed by the Division of Educational Support and Development at Högskolan Väst (University West). We aim for as many people as possible to be able to use Canvas on the web and the Canvas app, hereinafter referred to as Canvas, and we continuously work by informing teaching staff on how to make their courses more accessible in Canvas.
Accessibility in Canvas
Canvas is a commercial product designed and developed in accordance with the internationally recognized standard Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. Regular system testing is conducted by the provider Instructure. On this page, you can read more about Instructure's efforts to improve accessibility in Canvas. Our goal is to achieve at least a basic level of accessibility according to the criteria in WCAG 2.1 at level AA.
We are aware that Canvas does not yet meet all accessibility criteria due to the deficiencies described below and is therefore partially compliant with the requirements of the Law (2018:1937) on accessibility to digital public services (known as the DOS Act). The Agency for Digital Government (DIGG) has developed 142 guidelines for websites in public services based on the WCAG standard. It is these guidelines that we have compared Canvas against.
Non-accessible content - known deficiencies
- Documents: Some uploaded Word files, PDF files, and other file types are not accessible according to guideline number 88.
- Video: There are videos in the learning platform that lack captions or do not meet the recommendations for captions according to guideline number 117 or provide alternative options according to guideline number 116. There are videos in the learning platform that lack audio descriptions in accordance with guideline number 120.
- Images, diagrams, and animations: Some content-carrying images and diagrams in the learning platform lack text alternatives or are not sufficiently descriptive according to guideline number 115.
- Links: There are links in the platform that are not clearly described and accessible according to guideline number 5.
- Navigation: There are deficiencies in the design and structure of course navigation according to guideline number 29.
How we tested Canvas
We have manually reviewed a selection of courses in the learning platform and performed a self-assessment, as well as used the platform's own accessibility checker. We have also studied the supplier's documentation on the accessibility of the platform's technology and interface.
What to do if you can't access parts of Canvas?
If you need access to content on Canvas that is not accessible to you and is exempt from the scope of the law, you can contact us by emailing servicecenter@hv.se or calling 0520-22 30 00.
Reporting accessibility problems with Canvas
We strive to continuously improve the accessibility of Canvas and address known deficiencies. If you encounter issues that are not described on this page or if you believe that we do not meet the requirements of the law, please email servicecenter@hv.se to let us know about the problem.
Enforcement procedure
The Agency for Digital Government (DIGG) is responsible for supervision under the Law on accessibility to digital public services. If you are not satisfied with how we handle your notification of accessibility issues or your request for accessible content, you can report it to the Swedish Agency for Digital Government.