Access4All for Students

Your instructor probably has many different pieces of content in your course. Access4All (powered by UDOIT) is an external tool that supports universal access by automatically checking for accessibility issues in files added to Canvas and generating alternative accessible versions in multiple formats. Access4All can help create content that is more usable, more accessible, and of higher quality to improve student success. 

Accessibility refers to the design of products and environments for people with disabilities. Examples include wheelchairs, entryway ramps, hearing aids, and braille signs. In the IT world, accessibility often describes hardware and software designed to help those who experience disabilities.

What are Alternative Formats?

Alternative formats provide students a choice and added flexibility that comes with a more personal approach. 

• tagged PDF: students who need to access files on devices without MS Office or who need a smaller file size because of bandwidth issues can download PDFs.
• audio: students with processing challenges and non-native speakers who benefit from "bimodal presentations" can download the audio (MP3) file to read and listen at the same time. They can also listen on the go for flexible study options. 
• ePub: students can download the eBook and access on Reader (iPad, Kindle, etc) devices without internet.
• HTML: students who reply on mobile devices can convert PDF files to HTML which is responsive to small screens and easier, faster reading. 

 

NOTE: If the original file is NOT already accessible...the alternative format may not be usable. Meaning - a poor PDF image when OCR'ed would create a bad text file, a bad HTML file, bad audio, bad ePub..etc. Garbage in - Garbage out. 

This would mean that the faculty would still need to fix the original file so that the alternative works for you. Some faculty may not know that the alternative format is not working, so please let your faculty know.

Support

• CidiLabs UDOIT Support 
• Email Cal Poly Canvas Support Team: canvassupport@calpoly.edu