SensusAccess is a tool that allows students, faculty, and staff to convert course content into alternative, more accessible formats. Users can convert both uploaded files and Canvas content, including Pages, Assignments, Announcements, Discussions, and other content created with the Rich Content Editor.
SensusAccess supports a wide range of file types, including Word documents, PDFs, PowerPoint presentations, e-books, text files, images, and web pages. Content can be converted into several alternative formats, including:
- Microsoft Word (.DOCX)
- Tagged PDF
- Plain Text (.TXT)
- Audio files (MP3) with multiple language and playback speed options
- E-books (EPUB or MOBI)
- Digital Braille
For direct access to the SensusAccess tool outside of Canvas, visit IT Help's SensusAccess page.
Although SensusAccess can aid in making documents more accessible, this resource does not replace accessibility remediation in accordance with WCAG 2.1.
How to Use SensusAccess
You will be required to manually enable SensusAccess each semester for every course. This is not a system-wide setting and SensusAccess will not automatically copy over into you will need to enable/per course not user or system wide/ will not copy forward
To enable SensusAcces, you must first toggle the Enabled SensusAccess Inside button on your course settings page:
Navigate to the course you would like to enable SensusAccess in
Select the settings button at the bottom of the course navigation column
Under the course status menu on the right side of your settings page, scroll to where you see the SensusAccess icon (Blue circle with an 'S' in it) and click where it says enable SensusAccess Inside
Please note that it may take several seconds for the SensusAccess Icon and enable option to load on your settings page.
The blue SensusAccess Icon (Blue circle with an 'S' in it) can be found in several places depending on where in Canvas you are looking. The icon is typically located near the title of a Canvas page or to the right of the Edit Icon (three vertical dots) on individual assignment or file listings.
To convert a file using SensusAccess, you will need to:
- Navigate to the course you would like to convert content via SensusAccess in
- Click on the SensusAccess (blue circle with an 'S') icon next to the content you would like to convert
The blue SensusAccess Icon (Blue circle with an 'S' in it) can be found in several places, depending on where you are located in Canvas. The icon typically appears near the title of a Canvas page or to the right of the Edit Icon (three vertical dots) on individual assignment or file listings.
- Select the file you would like to convert from the SensusAccess drop down menu
- Then, select the type of conversion you would like to perform (ie. turn page content into an e-book, etc.)
- Review the conversion perameters if applicable, then click the blue download button
- Once your file has been converted, you will see a file downloaded window appear. Your file will be located on your local device in the recently downloaded folder.
Need Additional Help?
- For help with Canvas, please contact [email protected]
To discuss strategies for implementing Canvas and DLD approved integrated learning tools into your course, please contact [email protected]