Canvas Quizzes Accessibility Information

Quizzes are an integral part of courses within Canvas. Instructors build quizzes with a variety of settings and question types, including multiple choice and essay. There are two types of quizzes in Canvas: Classic Quizzes, and the New Quizzes (formerly known as Quizzes 2.0). Quizzes can also work in tandem with Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monitor for exam security and integrity.  

Affected Users

Students with low vision or blindness, students using keyboard support, and students who require the use of speech recognition programs will encounter specific barriers, primarily with New Quizzes, but also with certain question types in Classic Quizzes.  

Known Accessibility Barriers

New Quizzes

Reflow

Most Canvas pages can be presented at 320x256 resolution or viewport width of 1280 CSS pixels wide at 400% zoom without loss of information or functionality. Some exceptions exist within New Quizzes. 

Content on Hover or Focus

New Quizzes Rich Content Editor does not currently auto expand for screen reader users. 

Language of Parts

Multi-language content is not provided by Canvas. Instructors are responsible for accessibility of content they upload, and user-generated content can be supplemented with appropriate HTML language tags.  An exception currently exists within New Quizzes.  The current rich content editor in New Quizzes does not allow HTML input to add additional language tags. 

Question Types in New and Classic Quizzes

Question types drag and drop, matching, and drop down are difficult to answer with some assistive technologies.  Additionally, speech recognition programs do no currently work in essay questions.

Alternate Access 

 In general, instructors should use classic Quizzes in Canvas if a student uses keyboard support or a screenreader. If New Quizzes is necessary, an alternate version will need to be created in Classic Quizzes by the instructor and TA. 

Additional recommendations include the following: 

  • Instructors should add language attribute tags for all non-English text. 
  • For fill-in-the-blank questions, instructors should use [blank] instead of underscores to identify where the blank is located in the question.  
  • For equations, use the equation editor in the rich content editor.  
  • Instructors should indicate the type of question in the question text. Additionally, instructors should avoid using question groups with multiple question types and should order questions by question type if possible. Instructors should also provide clear instructions for each question, including question type. 
  • Avoid drop downs, matching, and drag and drop question types. If these questions types are necessary, they will need to create an alternate version of the quiz that adapts these question types to more accessible formats.   
  • If an exam requires essay questions and the instructor has a student who relies on speech recognition software to answer essay questions, the instructor should offer the student an option to answer in a Word document in a proctored setting. 

Additional Support

If these workarounds are not sufficient to provide access for a specific individual, accommodations may be necessary. To address accommodation needs:
•    For student(s), contact AccessibleNU at accessiblenu@northwestern.edu 
•    For faculty, staff, or the general public, contact the Office of Equity at accommodations@northwestern.edu