Transitioning to Online Teaching

The California Community Colleges (CCC) is committed to providing all students with equal access to learning opportunities, whether as part of face-to-face or online instruction. When transitioning from face-to-face classes to the online environment, consider the following solutions to improve accessibility:

• Adopt an accessible Canvas course template (Simple) or accessible Canvas course template (Multiple Front Page). Note: You will need to be signed into Canvas Commons to use the direct links. To learn how to download and edit your own copy, read How do I import and view a Commons resource in Canvas?


• Follow course design accessibility criteria (e.g., headings, lists, etc.). Use the Canvas built-in accessibility checker for content pages.


• Use Canvas pages as the primary source of content by copying and pasting other files (e.g., MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and PDF documents) into a Canvas page. These other files can certainly be used as the secondary resource, as appropriate.


• Include an accessibility statement in the course syllabus identifying where students with disabilities can seek accommodations or educational support. Note: the accessible Canvas course template (simple and multiple front page) have these statements embedded within the Syllabus for you to customize.)


• Use Canvas quiz questions AND understand how to provide extended time for students approved for such academic modifications.


• If using videos, you can start with YouTube auto-captions and then edit to make captions accurate. If you do not own the video, the Amara platform may be a solution to add captions to videos in multiple languages. Review How to Caption a Video that Someone Else Owns for more support.


• Include audio description and narration tips when presenting in live/synchronous Zoom meetings or when recording short video tutorials.