How do I make tables accessible with UDOIT?

UDOIT can be used to scan and check for accessibility issues in tables. Depending on the type of table issue found in a course, you may be able to update the table within UDOIT, or you may need to edit the table directly in Canvas.

Go to UDOIT.

Screenshot of link in menu.

Select UDOIT Accessibility Report from the Course Navigation Menu.

Select the UFIXIT tab.

Screenshot of the location of the tab.

Select the UFIXIT tab near the top of the page.

Scan your content. (Optional)

Screenshot displaying information and options for scanning.

The first time UDOIT is selected from the Course Navigation Menu, it will automatically scan course content. After 24 hours, UDOIT will scan new (previously unscanned) content when accessed again from within the course. You can view when the course content was last scanned and manually start a scan for added or edited content if desired by:

  1. Reviewing the last scanned date.
  2. Selecting Scan Now.

Filter issues.

Screenshot outlining the Filter button in the UDOIT interface.

Select the Filter button to open the collapsible Filters menu.

Screenshot of the Filters menu.
  1. Scroll down on the Filters menu,
  2. Select Table Headers from the Issue Types drop-down menu.

Review the filtered issues.

Screenshot example of filtered issues in a table.

A table will display with the following columns:

  1. Status: Icons indicating suggestions or errors as follows:
    • A red exclamation point in a circle - An error that needs to be resolved
    • A blue italicized "i" - A suggestion that needs review
  2. Title: The title of the item where an issue has been found.
  3. Type: The content type where the issue was found, for example, an Announcement or Page.
  4. Issue: A brief summary of the potential accessibility issue.
  5. Review: Button to open the UFIXIT interface for the corresponding issue.

Select Review for the desired issue.

Remediate issues.

Most table issues can be fixed within UDOIT. A few issues described below must be fixed directly within Canvas.

Skip to the step to fix a table in Canvas.

Table does not include header rows or columns.

Screenshot of the UFIXIT interface as described below.

A UFIXIT window will pop up to allow you to review and address the accessibility issue. In this window:

  1. Select the link to the right of Found in: to open a new browser tab or window displaying the potential accessibility issue.
  2. Choose from the available table header options to add a Column Header, Row Header, or Both to your table. Tip:You can find more information about creating accessible tables inHow can I make tables accessible? (opens new window).
  3. Select the Save button when you have finished making changes.
  4. Alternatively, if you fixed the accessibility issue directly in another browser tab or window:
    • Select Manual Resolution.
    • Select the confirmation checkbox to indicate you fixed the issue.
  5. When you are finished making changes, select:
    • Close to close the window,
    • Previous Issue to navigate to the previous item in the issue list,
    • Or Next Issue to navigate to the next item in the issue list.

Skip to the step to rescan course files.

Table headers are missing row or column scope attributes

Screenshot of the UFIXIT interface as described below.

A UFIXIT window will pop up to allow you to review and address the accessibility issue. In this window:

  1. Select the link to the right of Found in: to open a new browser tab or window displaying the potential accessibility issue.
  2. Choose from the available table header scope options to set a Column Header, Row Header, or Both for your table. Tip:You can find more information about creating accessible tables in How can I make tables accessible? (opens new window).
  3. Select the Save button when you have finished making changes.
  4. Alternatively, if you fixed the accessibility issue directly in another browser tab or window:
    • Select Manual Resolution.
    • Select the confirmation checkbox to indicate you fixed the issue.
  5. When you are finished making changes, select:
    • Close to close the window,
    • Previous Issue to navigate to the previous item in the issue list,
    • OrNext Issue to navigate to the next item in the issue list.

Skip to the step to rescan course files.

Fix a table in Canvas.

If the UFIXIT window displays one of the following issue types, the table will need to be edited directly within Canvas.

  • Styles might be used for tabular data where semantic markup may be more appropriate
  • Table without content detected

Select the content link issue.

Screenshot of the UFIXIT interface outlining the link where the issues is located.

In the UFIXIT interface, select the link to the right of Found in: to open a new browser tab or window displaying the potential accessibility issue within the course.

Edit content.

Screenshot highlighting the Edit button on a Discussion.

The Rich Content Editor is available on most pages in Canvas where text can be added. For example, you may use the editor to create a page in Modules, edit or submit an assignment, or make an announcement.

Pictured above is where an instructor can find the Edit button for a Discussion.

Position your cursor in the editor.

Screenshot of the cursor in between text in the editor.

Position your cursor where the table should be inserted.

Create a table.

Screenshot of the table creation process using the Insert button.
  1. Select the Insert button from the toolbar.
  2. Hover over or tab to Table option in the drop-down menu to expand the table creator.
  3. To specify the table's dimensions, drag your cursor over the grid or use the left and right arrow keys.

Add data to the table.

Screeshot of data added to the new table.

Add the desired data to the table.

Make the table accessible.

Screenshot of headers being added to a table in the editor.

Follow the steps in How can I make tables accessible? (opens new window) to add a table caption and headings as needed.

Delete the inaccessible text.

Screenshot of text highlighted for deletion in the editor.

Highlight and delete the original text that you have replaced with the table.

Rescan course files. (Optional)

Screenshot outlining the Scan Now button in UDOIT.

After revising content, you may select the Scan Now button in UDOIT to update the list of accessibility issues in the course.