ACCESSIBLE DESIGN FOR LEARNING

Comparing Accessible Educational Design Tools

TOOL #1

The homepage of Google Slides, showing a screenshot of a presentation you can make using this tool.

Google Slides is a cloud-based presentation tool that can be used to create, edit, and collaborate on slideshows.

Google Slides

TOOL #2

The main page for Rise 360 on the Articulate website. A hand holds a phone showing a sample Rise course on the screen.

Rise 360, by Articulate, is a tool for easily creating responsive

e-learning courses and microlearning.

Rise 360

TOOL #3

Canva's home page, showing colorful images with examples of projects you can create using Canva.

Canva is a graphic design platform with a wide range of functions and templates, from graphics to presentations.

Canva

How can these tools be used in my classroom?

Illustration of a person working on a computer to create a presentation.
A woman pointing to a responsive website. Rise 360 makes building responsive online courses very easy.
Man working on a computer with a graph on the screen, representing types of projects you can create using Canva.

Google Slides

You can use Google Slides to...

  • Create a presentation
  • Build an interactive activity
  • Design worksheets
  • Foster collaboration

Rise 360

You can use Rise 360 to...

  • Create a presentation
  • Design a microlearning course
  • Build a reference library
  • Deliver mobile-friendly lessons

Canva

You can use Canva to...

  • Create a presentation
  • Make videos and other multimedia
  • Organize on a digital whiteboard
  • Design a website

How do these tools compare for design accessibility?

Google Slides

Rise 360

Canva

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1

Google Slides has a built-in accessibility checker

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1

Rise 360 has a built-in accessibility checker

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1

Canva has a built-in accessibility checker

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2

Limited color contrast options can pose issues for those with low vision.

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2

Makes designing for accessibility very simple and intuitive.

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2

Canva’s accessibility features have expanded, but are not as robust.

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3

Can be used for a variety of educational purposes beyond slideshows.

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3

Does not have as many flexible features and templates as Canva.

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3

Beginners may have a harder time designing for accessibility with Canva.

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4

Keyboard navigation is well supported.

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4

Complex interactive elements might make it difficult for assistive tech.

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4

Canva is highly flexible and includes many different templates and features.

All three of these tools support the addition of ALT-text!

Rankings and Accessible Design Tips

Google Slides

Rise 360

Canva

Great for accessibility and already familiar to most educators.

Numerical rating "4 out of 5"

4/5

Great features but requires a subscription and has less flexibility.

Numerical rating "3 out of 5"

3/5

Has a steeper learning curve for beginners but has many uses/features.

Numerical rating "4 out of 5"

4/5

Design Tips:


  • If you use tables to present data, include a heading row.
  • Share a link to the HTML view of your Google Slides file, since HTML files can be easier for screen readers

Design Tips:


  • Label objects such as buttons consistently
  • Sorting and matching activities and can be difficult for screen readers and are not keyboard accessible

Design Tips:


  • Canva’s AI tools can suggest ALT text for you. Always check if this text is accurate!
  • The built-in accessibility checker can suggest more accessible colors

Sources

Accessibility for Google Docs, Sheets, Slides & Drawings—Computer—Google Docs Editors Help. (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2024, from https://support.google.com/docs/answer/6282736?hl=en&ref_topic=6039805


Accessible Color Palette Generator | WCAG Compliant. (n.d.). Venngage. Retrieved March 21, 2024, from https://venngage.com/tools/accessible-color-palette-generator


Accessible Fonts: A Guide to Design for Accessibility. (2022, October 5). Venngage. https://venngage.com/blog/accessible-fonts/


Google’s Accessibility Conformance Reports—Google. (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2024, from https://about.google/intl/ALL_us/belonging/accessibility-conformance-reports/


Rise 360 Accessibility Conformance Report. (n.d.). Articulate. Retrieved March 21, 2024, from https://www.articulate.com/about/accessibility/rise-360-accessibility-conformance-report-vpat/


Rise 360: How to Design an Accessible Course - Articulate Support. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2024, from https://articulate.com/support/article/Rise-360-How-to-Design-an-Accessible-Course


University, U. D. C. © C. S., Street, N. 18111 N., Northridge, & Us, C. 91330 P.-1200 / C. (2018, May 18). Accessible Infographics and Flyers Checklist. California State University, Northridge. https://www.csun.edu/universal-design-center/accessible-infographics-and-flyers-checklist


Using Design Accessibility—Canva Help Center. (n.d.). Canva. Retrieved March 25, 2024, from https://www.canva.com/help/using-design-accessibility/