Ensure Course Images are Accessible
The goal of this continuing feature on course design tips is to help instructors enhance the quality of their online courses by meeting the essential (3-point) standards from the Quality Matters rubric. By meeting these standards, you’re on your way to developing a robust learning experience for your students. We continue our rubric review with a look at the final standard, which focuses on accessibility. Essential Standard 8.4 describes the importance of accessible images in a course.
Essential Standard 8.4 – Images in the course are accessible. The images used in your course must be accessible to all learners regardless of ability. To pass this standard, at least 85% of course materials must have an Ally score of 85% or higher. This includes all files, images, and Canvas course pages. The determination of passing is based on the content’s compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Additionally, the standard uses Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Following both WCAG and UDL reduces obstacles to access so all learners can interact with course content.
Tips to help you meet the standard:
- Describe images and graphs using alternative text.
- Mark decorative images as such.
- Use tables for summarizing data, not for formatting.
- Set up tables as text, not as embedded images or screen captures.
- Set up tables with headings for columns and rows.
General Standard 8.0 – Accessibility and Usability
The course design reflects a commitment to accessibility and usability for all learners. FSU is committed to creating an environment where all students can learn. To ensure learning is accessible for all students, course materials are offered using the principles of accessibility and universal design. Students can vary in their learning preferences, physical abilities, communication skills, socioeconomic status, or access to technology. A commitment to accessible design benefits a broader student population. In making their courses accessible, instructors are not only complying with federal requirements, but they are also meeting the educational needs of all learners.
Essential Standards
8.1: Course navigation facilitates ease of use.
8.2: The course design facilitates readability.
8.3: Text in the course is accessible.
8.4: Images in the course are accessible.*
8.5: Video and audio content in the course is accessible.*
General and essential standards are taken from the Quality Matters Higher Education Rubric, Seventh Edition.
*In the QM rubric, Standards 8.4 and 8.5 are considered very important (2-point) standards. FSU recognizes the importance of ensuring multimedia content is accessible to all learners, so Standards 8.4 and 8.5 are required elements for the FSU Online Quality Initiative.
If you’re interested in learning more about online course quality, visit the FSU Online Quality Initiative page.