Canva is a popular online design platform that allows users to create stunning visual graphics, including infographics. While the platform is praised for its user-friendly interface and vast array of templates and design tools, some have raised concerns about the accessibility of Canva infographics.
There are two main types of accessibility issues with Canva infographics: those related to the design of the infographic itself, and those related to the way in which users can access and share the infographic.
Design Issues
Some infographics created on Canva may not be accessible to people with visual impairments. This is due to the fact that many Canva templates rely heavily on images, rather than text, to convey information.
While alt text can be added to images on Canva, it is not always possible to add sufficient alt text to complex images, such as charts and diagrams. This means that people who rely on screen readers may not be able to fully understand the information presented in these types of infographics.
Another design issue that can impact the accessibility of Canva infographics is the use of colour. People with colour blindness may have difficulty understanding infographics that rely heavily on colour to convey information.
For example, an infographic with multiple pie charts or bar graphs may be difficult for someone with colour blindness to interpret. This is because different colours are often used to represent different data sets, making it difficult for people with colour blindness to distinguish between them.
Accessibility Issues
In addition to design issues, there are also some accessibility issues related to the way in which users can access and share Canva infographics. One issue is that users cannot currently download Canva infographics as accessible PDFs.
This means that people who need to use screen reader software will not be able to access the infographic unless they take a screenshot of it or have someone else download it for them. Another issue is that users cannot currently share Canva infographics via social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. This means that people who want to share an infographic with their followers will need to do so manually, rather than being able to share it directly from Canva.
Overall, there are some accessibility issues with Canva infographics. However, these issues are mostly related to the design of the infographic itself, rather than the way in which users can access and share it. With some improvements to the way in which infographics are designed, such as adding more alt text and using colour more carefully, these accessibility issues could be greatly reduced.
