SensusAccess is a document remediation software tool that allows you to convert files into alternative formats, including both text (Word document, plain-text file, HTML document, etc.) and audio formats, as an aid to digital accessibility. You can use SensusAccess Inside Canvas to carry out document conversions quickly and easily.
Note for Faculty and Instructors: You do not need to take any action for your students to use SensusAccess Inside Canvas. If you see the S icon, this means that SensusAccess is enabled in your Canvas course, and your students can click the icon at any time to convert a particular content item into a format that is helpful to them. Disabling SensusAccess is not recommended, but you can disable the tool within your course if you wish. To do so, go to Settings in your Canvas course and click Disable SensusAccess Inside in the right-hand menu. You can re-enable it later if needed by clicking Enable SensusAccess Inside in the same location.
To use SensusAccess Inside Canvas for document conversion, follow the steps below.
- Navigate to an area of the Canvas site in which content items are available, such as Modules, Pages, or (if enabled for students) Files.
- Across from the name of the item you wish to convert, select the SensusAccess icon to begin the conversion process. You will need to give one-time permission for SensusAccess to connect to Canvas.
- Depending on the type of file you are converting, you will see different options in the dialog box appear. For example, if you are converting a Canvas Page to a new format, you should select Page content.
- Open Conversion Parameters and select the format to which you would like the file converted.
- Select Email or Download, depending on whether you would like to have the file emailed to you or downloaded directly. Note: the larger the original file, the longer the conversion process will take.
For further assistance with SensusAccess Inside Canvas, please contact Academic Technology Solutions or the Center for Digital Accessibility.