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Unlock Accessibility in Brightspace


Learn more about all the best practices and how Brightspace provides built-in tools to help instructors develop accessible content, ensuring compliance with accessibility standards and enhancing the overall learning experience.
 

Empowering Brightspace Users with ReadSpeaker This is logo of Readspeaker.

ReadSpeaker is a built-in text-to-speech tool within Brightspace that enables users to listen to written content, offering an alternative to traditional reading. Available to all users directly on content pages, the floating "Listen" button, player, and menu remain accessible as you scroll and can be easily repositioned for a personalized experience.

Screenshot of ReadSpeaker tool in Brightspace

What is Brightspace Editor? 

The Brightspace Editor is the default editor used across the Brightspace platform. It is found nearly everywhere content is created within Brightspace. 

What all tools have Brightspace editor: 

The Brightspace editor is available in several tools across the platform, allowing users to create and format content with ease. These tools include Announcements, Assignments, Audio Capture, Calendar, Checklist, Content, Course Builder, Discussions, Self-Assessments, and Surveys. Additionally, the editor can be found in Quick Eval and the Welcome Window Widget, offering a consistent editing experience throughout Brightspace.

Brightspace Editor Tools

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Accessibility Checker

Brightspace includes an Accessibility Checker in its editor that helps identify and fix accessibility issues within HTML content. It scans for potential barriers and provides suggestions to improve accessibility.
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Headings

Headings in Brightspace help structure your content, making it easier to read and navigate. Using proper heading levels ensures a logical flow and improves accessibility for screen reader users and all learners.
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Alt text for images

Alternative text (alt text) allows screen readers to describe images to visually impaired users. Every image should have alt text to ensure accessibility and provide all learners with equal access to visual content in Brightspace.
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Color Contrast

Relying on color alone to convey meaning can create barriers for individuals with color blindness or low vision. Ensure sufficient color contrast between text and background to improve accessibility for all learners.
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Tables

Tables in Brightspace should include a clear caption and at least one header. Properly associating headers with cells ensures readability and accessibility, helping all users understand the table’s structure and purpose.
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Lists

A list is a collection of related items presented in a specific order, often using bullets or numbers. This helps organize information clearly, making it easier for users to understand and navigate.
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Heading Example

Making Math and Science Accessible

Mathematical and scientific content should be created using accessible equation editors rather than images. This ensures screen readers can interpret the content, improving accessibility for all learners.
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Links

Link text must be clear and descriptive, accurately conveying the link’s purpose or destination. Avoid generic phrases like “click here” to ensure accessibility and improve navigation for users utilizing assistive technologies.
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Video and Audio

All audio and video content must include accurate captions and transcripts to ensure compliance with accessibility standards. Providing equivalent alternatives supports inclusive access for all users and improves user experience.   

Brightspace Best Practices Tools

User Preferences 

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Personalize your Brightspace interface: adjust font size, accessibility settings, language, time zone, and date formats via Account Settings under your username. Save preferences easily.

Content in Unit

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Embedding content directly on unit pages limits ReadSpeaker accessibility. Use HTML pages for inclusive access, ensuring compatibility with assistive tools like ReadSpeaker.

Adding documents in the content

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Embed documents directly in Brightspace. For downloads, ensure ReadSpeaker accessibility: upload files, check screen-reader compatibility, and use HTML formatting for inclusive access.

Visual Characteristics

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Pair visual indicators (e.g., *) with text labels (e.g., 'Required') to ensure screen readers clearly announce mandatory fields, enhancing accessibility for all users.

ReadSpeaker benefits users who: 
 

  • Supporting students with visual impairments, dyslexia or ADHA.

  • Enhancing comprehension for auditory learners  and can download an mp3 audio file of the content for offline listening.

  • Allowing multitasking and mobile learning for users. 

  • Providing customizable settings for speed, voice, and highlighting and also has integrated reading and translation tools.

ReadSpeaker improves accessibility by: 
 

  • Reading HTML content, discussions, assignments, and quizzes aloud. 

  • Providing a ‘Listen’ button for seamless text-to-speech conversion. 

  • Enhancing the learning experience for students who benefit from audio-supported reading. 

  • Ensuring content is accessible across different devices and screen readers. 

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Contact Us

If you have any questions or need further assistance with the tool, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 845-575-3572.