Pack Light, Build Smart: Quick Accessibility Wins for Brightspace
As an avid backcountry camper, I’ve collected a lot of backpacking gear. In the search for the perfect balance between safety, comfort, and weight, I’m always looking to optimize and make my packing list better, or lighter, or more versatile. In a similar way, we can look for quick ways to improve the accessibility of our content in Brightspace.
Accessible content isn’t just for learners with disabilities, it helps all students engage more easily. Good structure and design make pages faster to scan, easier to read on phones, and friendlier for screen readers or assistive tech. Plus, it helps your course look polished and professional. Here are some steps to consider.
- Use real headings to structure your content (not just big, bold text)
o HTML headings (<h1> through <h6>) should be nested in order to reflect the structure of your content, similar to an outline. You typically use one <h1> for the page’s main topic, then use <h2> for major sections under it, <h3> for subsections of those sections, and so on—never skipping levels purely for styling, since headings convey document hierarchy and accessibility meaning.
o In the Brightspace Editor, use the ‘Paragraph Format’ menu to easily apply heading styles. - Make link text meaningful
o Replace “click here” or “read more” with descriptive text (e.g., Download the lab template).
o Make sure the full phrase is linked, not just one word.
o Avoid having a URL as the link text, this is not friendly to screen readers. - Add alt text to images
o When you insert an image using the Brightspace Editor, fill in the ‘Alternative Text’ field.
o If the image is decorative, mark it as decorative so screen readers skip it.
o Don’t waste space in your alt text by saying “image of xyz” or “diagram of a xyz”, the screen reader will specify that it’s reading alt text of an image. Instead, focus on what the image shows or why it’s important. - Use proper lists
o Use the built-in bulleted or numbered list buttons in the Brightspace Editor.
o Don’t fake lists with dashes, tabbing, spaces, or manual numbers—screen readers can’t interpret those. - Keep tables simple and structured
o Use tables for data, not layout.
o Add a header row and short caption that explains what the table shows.
o Headers should use the “scope” attribute to indicate if they are the header for a row or column.
o Avoid merged cells when possible—they can confuse screen readers. - Check color contrast
Colour contrast is the difference in brightness between two colours, usually text and its background. Higher contrast makes content easier to see and read. Low contrast, such as light grey text on a white background, can be difficult to read for many people, especially those with low vision or colour-vision differences.
o Aim for high colour contrast, so your text stands out from the background. The Brightspace Editor Accessibility Checker can calculate your text’s contrast ratio to ensure it meets accessibility standards.
o Don’t rely on color alone to show meaning—add icons, text labels, or patterns. - Caption videos and summarize audio
o Use videos with captions and provide a short summary or transcript for audio files.
o If you embed a video, include a brief description outlining the context and outcomes of the video. - Break up text into small, readable chunks
o Keep paragraphs short and focused—one idea per paragraph.
o Use headings, and bold text to make key points stand out. - Use the built-in accessibility checker
o In the Brightspace Editor, select Check Accessibility to catch common issues (i.e., missing alt text, incorrect heading order, etc.).
o Fix what it flags, it only takes a few seconds. - Try navigating with just your keyboard
o Press Tab to move through your page.
o You should be able to reach every link, button, and interactive element in order, and always see where your focus is. - Test with a screen reader (optional but powerful)
o Consider using a free screen reader such as NVDA for Windows or VoiceOver for Mac.
o Try reading through your page with it—you’ll quickly notice if headings, links, and images make sense in context.
How we can help
The Learning Services team can partner with you to make your Brightspace content both engaging and accessible. Connect with your institute's D2L Customer Success Manager or Client Sales Executive, or reach out to the D2L Sales Team for more information about how Learning Services can support you on your learning journey.
Our specialists can review your course materials, help you apply accessibility best practices, and suggest design improvements that make learning more interactive and inclusive. Whether you need help building new HTML templates, optimizing media for accessibility, or improving overall course flow, we’ll work with you to create a high-impact learning experience that meets every learner where they are.
Learn More
• Brightspace Community: Accessibility — D2L single point of access for accessibility resources.
• Use the Accessibility Checker in Brightspace Editor — Step-by-step help for fixing issues right in the editor.
• W3C WCAG 2.2 Quick Reference — The global standard for accessibility success criteria.
• D2L Learning Services — Get expert help building engaging, accessible content and course templates.