Canvas Immersive Reader is an accessibility feature for learners with visual or learning needs, accessed via the Immersive Reader button on Canvas. It allows customization of text size, font, background, grammar highlights, reading focus, picture dictionary, translation, and read-aloud settings. If unavailable, Microsoft Edge's Immersive Reader can be used. More accessibility info is available at AbilityNet's My Computer My Way.
Canvas Immersive Reader is an accessibility feature with tools for learners with visual impairments or similar additional learning needs. Open it using the Immersive Reader button at the top right of the Canvas page, then adjust the text, grammar, reading or read-aloud settings.
How to open Immersive Reader
- Select the Immersive Reader button at the top right of the Canvas page.
- Use the three buttons in the top-right corner to change your text preferences, grammar options and reading preferences.
How to change the text preferences
Select the Text Preferences button in Immersive Reader. You can then:
- Increase the text size.
- Increase the space between lines of text.
- Change the font.
- Change the background theme, including using a blue or yellow background.
You can combine these options, such as changing both the font and the background.
How to change the grammar options
Select the Grammar Options button in Immersive Reader. You can then:
- Put a dot between syllables.
- Highlight different parts of speech in different colours.
You can apply more than one grammar option to the Immersive Reader page.
How to change the reading preferences
Select the Reading Preferences button in Immersive Reader. You can then:
- Focus on one, three or five lines of text.
- Turn on the picture dictionary, which shows an image when you select a word.
- Translate by individual word or by document.
You can combine these settings, such as using the one-line focus and picture dictionary together.
How to use the read-aloud function
- Go to the bottom of the Immersive Reader page.
- Select the Play button to begin the audio.
- Select Voice Settings if you want to change the narrator's speed or sound.
How to use Immersive Reader when it is unavailable in Canvas
On pages where Canvas Immersive Reader is unavailable, you can use the Microsoft Edge immersive reader function instead.
- Highlight the text you want to read.
- Right-click the highlighted text.
- Select Immersive Reader.
Where to find more accessibility information
For more accessibility information, see My Computer My Way from AbilityNet.