ACCESS @ Cerritos - Easy Structure

Easy Structure - Use headings, lists, and organized content structure.

How we organize information matters. Clear headings, well-structured lists, and accessible tables make course content easier for students to scan, understand, and navigate. They also provide important structure for students who use screen readers and other assistive technologies. When we use Canvas’s formatting intentionally, rather than simply changing the way text looks, we give students a clearer roadmap for understanding the content.

Easy Structure is about creating content that has a clear flow and makes sense at a glance. A student should be able to look at a page and quickly understand what they are looking at, how the information is organized, and where to find what they need. These practices can make our courses easier to use for everyone, while also improving their accessibility.

UDOIT Reminder: We’re working together toward 90% UDOIT accessibility in all Canvas courses by the end of Fall 2026.

Continuing with our ACCESS @ Cerritos work, the next three weeks, we will focus on, Easy Structure by using:

  • Headings to organize and guide readers
  • Lists to break information into manageable pieces
  • Tables to present information clearly

Headings 

Imagine opening a page with a wall of text. Where would you start? 

Headings give students a roadmap. They break content into clear sections, making it easier to scan, understand, and navigate, especially when using assistive technology. 

Think of headings like an outline:  

Heading 1 (H1) → Title of Page
Heading 2 (H2) → Main Topics 
Heading 3 (H3) → Subtopics
Heading 4 (H4) → Sub-subtopics

Simple Tips for Using Headings: 

  • Canvas pages start with H2. Canvas provides the page title as H1, so use H2 for your first main topic on your page.
  • Keep headings in order. Don’t skip heading levels ❌ H2 → H4 
    Instead, follow the hierarchy: ✅ H2→H3→H4
  • Headings can move back up the hierarchy. For example: ✅ H2→H3→H2→H3→H4→H2
  • Don’t use formatting to create a heading. Making text larger, bold, or a different color may make it look like a heading, but it doesn’t create the structure assistive technology needs.
  • Keep it simple. Short sections and clear headings make content easier for everyone to scan and navigate.

Why it matters: Screen reader users can navigate from heading to heading, much like sighted users scan a page with their eyes. Clear, descriptive headings help students quickly find the information they need instead of having to listen to an entire page to locate one piece of content.

The 10-Second Test

Hand-drawn light bulb with radiating lines on a yellow cloud-shaped background, symbolizing an idea or inspiration.Ask yourself:If I looked only at the headings on this page, would I understand what the page is about and how it is organized?

If YES → You're on the right track. 

Your Canvas Fix This Week: 

  1. Open your Canvas page and select Edit.
  2. Highlight the text you want to turn into a heading.
  3. Select Paragraph on the toolbar.
  4. Choose the appropriate Heading Level: H2 = Main Topic → H3 = Subtopic → H4 = Sub-subtopic
  5. Select Save when you’re finished. 

Page editor showing Page Title as H1 and the Paragraph menu open with Heading 2 selected for the Overview heading as H2.

Remember: Choose a heading based on its meaning and place in the content—not its appearance. You can always adjust the size or style without changing the heading level.

Questions?

Need help making your Canvas content more accessible? Please feel free to reach out to the or DE Coordinators.