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Use headings for page structure
Resizing images
Colour contrast
Colour and screen readers
Page layout for documents and files

Headings, colour contrast and page layout are established design conventions that relate to the presentation of information. When design conventions are well-established, we aren't conscious of them and they help us to order what we see or to navigate intuitively.

Use headings for page structure

Heading styles are pre-formatted headings that structure content in logical order. They enable readers to engage more strategically with your content, making it easy to view and navigate. In particular, for those who use screen readers, visually-impaired and/or dyslexic students), heading styles are essential because the software communicates levels of hierarchy.

Go to: How do I use heading styles?

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Resizing images

Never use handles (or drag the boundaries) to resize a big image in Canvas. This may seem to work, but it doesn't necessarily make any difference to the file size and can affect the quality badly. You might also pull the image out of proportion, causing distortion and degradation. This causes frustration for everyone, not just low-vision users.

Additionally, low-vision users need to zoom-in or enlarge an image so it is best if the image has not been degraded prior to this.

See: how do I resize images?

or download a printable copy: How do I resize images?

Colour contrast

Colour contrast is the difference between text and background colours. Most people prefer white text on a black background (high contrast) over orange text on a red background (low contrast). This is especially the case for people with low contrast sensitivity or colour blindness, who may struggle to discern meaning when insufficient contrast is provided.

example of high contrasting and low contrastingcolours

Conversely, some people with high contrast sensitivity (e.g., Irlen Syndrome or visual stress) may struggle with extreme contrast. This can lead to discomfort, such as eye strain and headaches.

Providing balanced colour contrast is therefore very important to ensure accessibility. For more information, see Colour and Contrast.

See: How do I ensure adequate colour contrast for text?

Download a printable copy: How do I ensure adequate colour contrast for text?

Colour and screen readers

Colour is a helpful visual signpost of hierarchy and/or meaning; however, screen readers are unable to recognize it. It is therefore best used in combination with text or symbols. Using colour alone to denote hierarchy and/or meaning will limit accessibility for those with visual impairments (e.g., colour blindness or low vision).

Page layout for documents and files

Page layouts need to be consistent and easily navigated. Font family size and colour should be easily legible. A single column with chunked content is more easily navigated than double columns.

Your content will be scanned by screen readers as well as accessed by low vision users. If you create your page layout for these readers, everyone will benefit.

Go to: How do I present documents and files?

Download a printable copy: How do I present a Word document, PDF and PowerPoint?