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You've probably already used Ally or the Brightspace Accessibility Checker to identify accessibility issues in your course. Those tools are a great place to start, but they can't catch everything. Some accessibility issues require a human review to determine whether content is clear, meaningful, and easy to use. A manual review is an important part of the course accessibility process because it helps identify issues related to structure, readability, meaning, usability, interaction, and navigation that automated tools may miss.
Think of a manual accessibility review as an opportunity to experience your course from a student's perspective. Can students easily find information? Do links make sense? Are images, videos, and documents usable for everyone?
As you continue working on your courses, you'll likely develop a review process that works best for you. The workflow below is simply a suggested approach to help you get started.
Start by Downloading the Manual Review Guide
Download the Brightspace Manual Accessibility Review Checklist and save a copy for your records. The guide is provided as an editable Word document so you can make notes, check off completed items, and document any areas that may need additional attention.
We recommend keeping the checklist open while reviewing your course.
A Suggested Workflow
Rather than reviewing your entire course at once, start with a single module, week, or unit.
Breaking the review into smaller sections can make the process more manageable and allows you to focus on the materials students encounter as they move through the course.
Ask yourself:
- Are modules organized in a consistent way?
- Are page and file names descriptive?
- Can students easily find what they need?
- Do links clearly describe where they go?
A predictable course structure helps students focus on learning rather than figuring out where to find information.
As you review pages, pay attention to:
- Heading structure
- Lists and tables
- Text formatting
- Readability
- Color and contrast
Try scanning the page quickly. Can you identify the main topics just by looking at the headings? If not, the page may benefit from additional structure.
Review any images, charts, diagrams, videos, or audio recordings included in your course.
Consider:
- Does the image need alternative text?
- Is the image purely decorative?
- Do videos include captions?
- Are transcripts available for audio content?
- Does a chart or infographic need additional explanation nearby?
Remember that students may access course materials in many different ways, including with assistive technologies.
Look at quizzes, assignments, discussions, H5P activities, and Creator+ content.
Ask yourself:
- Are instructions clear?
- Can students understand what is expected?
- Are images described appropriately?
- Are interactive activities usable without relying solely on a mouse?
Clear directions benefit all students, not just those using assistive technologies.
Don't forget to review the documents you've uploaded to your course.
This may include:
- Word documents
- PDFs
- PowerPoint presentations
- Spreadsheets
Check that documents use headings, descriptive links, alternative text, and proper table structure. Whenever possible, make updates in the original document before uploading a revised version.
Take a few minutes to experience your course as a student.
Try:
- Navigating with only your keyboard
- Zooming in on content
- Opening linked websites
- Reviewing videos and media
- Checking content on different screen sizes
Sometimes a quick test can reveal issues that are easy to miss during course development.
As you review your course, use the checklist to document items you have reviewed, issues you identified, and improvements you made.
Remember, accessibility is an ongoing process—not a one-time task. It's perfectly normal to identify areas that need future attention. The goal is continuous improvement over time.
Need Assistance
If you have questions during your review or would like guidance on addressing an accessibility issue, COLTT is here to help. Reach out to your assigned Instructional Designer or contact the Brightspace Help Desk through the Ask COLTT Support Portal.
Every improvement you make helps create a better learning experience for your students, and even small changes can make a meaningful difference.