Change Discussion page view as student?

[AmberPlanting]

Hi, I have ADHD and sensory processing disorders, and the new update to the Discussion pages, with the reply sidebard and threaded like that, makes it really difficult to read and process for me. As it is I already need to use a dark mode plugin, since Canvas, somehow does not have an integrated dark mode feature, despite it being 2022.

Are there any changes on my end, like hidden settings I couldn't find or change it to the old style of discussion page? Or is there a plugin someone knows about to fix that for me as well? This is unusable for me, and is greatly going to effect my ability to participate in my classes this semester.

[SusanNiemeyer]

Hi Amber, 

Your instructor can easily switch the Discussions back to the old style for the entire class. I would suggest talking with your instructor and explain your needs. Also, if you have accommodations, you can also make a request through your school's disability student support services.

[AmberPlanting]

That is not the solution. The solution is to allow students to modify how it works for them, when it comes to how it looks, not allow the SCHOOL or teacher to dictate that. Because, say I make that request, but there are other people in the classes that the new version works better for them, now for my own needs I am making their lives more difficult. This needs to be done on the student/user settings side.

[HeatherAhern]

@AmberPlanting I am sorry to hear that you are having difficulty with the new redesign of Discussions and I apologize for your frustrations. At this time the only features for viewing and sorting discussions are shared in this guide. I would also recommend you add to our Ideas Page so that we can continue to make improvements to our system for users.

[AmberPlanting]

Why should it need to be added as an "idea" that's going to be ignored, much like a "dark mode" option, for something that should of never been forced on people in the first place. It's clear Instructure does not work with disabled people, or those with sensory processing disorders or anything like that when making changes like this and not adding in necessary accessibility features, that don't require us to use browser plugins, that could risk comprising our personal data and would allow mobile app users to also have such accessibility features.

The disrespect and disregard for the disabled community and others who need such accessibility features from this company is unacceptable and I have no idea how this doesn't quality as an ADA violation. This is 2022, and if you're not consulting with a variety of diverse groups on usability/appearance/functional changes, you are no better than any tech company, that exploits it's users for profit, while disregarding minorities that need certain accessibilities. The recent Twitter app change is a very similar situation, on Android they recently made it so it no long uses the system font in the app, it instead forces you to use *THEIR* font, which is difficult to read for some people, and can cause eye strain. Except this is worse, this is an educational tool that most schools use and students don't have an option to not Canvas for those schools, atleast with Twitter, you can use a different app, not in this case.

This needs to go higher than the "Ideas" section on this forum, this is something that needs to be addressed at higher levels if need be, because this is clearly a company culture problem. Thinking about accessibility secondary, like those of us that need accommodations like that are second class citizens. And these accommodations are 100% on your company as the software developers and managers, not on the school who just pays you for it.

Unacceptable.

[Renee_Carney]

@AmberPlanting 

We appreciate your participation in the Community and I'm genuinely sorry for the frustration you are feeling with these changes, however I need to remind you that you are in a Community of users and employees that are here because they want to help.  You're dangerously close to crossing the lines of our Community guidelines.  Please engage in our Community with the same respect, empathy, and kindness that you wish to be met with.

Now, in regards to the two areas you expressed concerns, here are the appropriate places to voice your needs.  

• Dark Theme/Dark Mode for Canvas  is where you can rank the idea and share your experiences on why this is important to you.  Please do be sure to follow the guidelines - accusatory language and assumptions do not help support your case - that approach actually has an adverse effect. 
  
  
• Discussions/Announcements Redesign - is the ongoing project group around the new discussions designs. One thing I can assure you is that we have a robust, knowledgeable, and caring accessibility team that works closely with all of our engineers and designers. If you clearly (and kindly) articulate and share your experiences around discussions and accessibility, they will take interest. 

We're all in this together - this is not an adversarial relationship.  We look forward to further constructive conversation. 

[AmberPlanting]

Well, I just head a post written up here, but since clearly Instructure can't create properly accessible learning software that schools force us to use, due to a practical monopoly on this software/service, I shouldn't be shocked the forum dropped an error code when I tried to submit. Whatever, I'm done. I was never rude or disrespectful to any one here, I only only blunt and to the point. If people feel that is disrespectful, well... that's not my fault. My only unkindness and disrespect if towards the company who clearly disrespects the disabled community and those who need accessible software.

[SusanNiemeyer]

Hi @Renee_Carney ,

To be honest with you, always being instructed to create a "new idea" to "upvote" someone else's idea in hopes that it might gain traction is frustrating. There are simple changes that the Canvas software developers can make to improve the user experience. 

Meeting the needs of those with disabilities shouldn't be left up to a popular vote. Universal design practices should be incorporated at every step of the process.

[CJKing]

Hi Amber and others,

I do not have the disability you mention, Amber, but I am equally frustrated with the new look. It doesn't sound like there is a good solution, and like you, I am very disappointed. I like to be able to scroll through the whole discussion, seeing all of the replies at the same time as the post, because I want to comment on multiple ideas at once. Also, unless I open the popup, I can't see if I already posted my reply or only intended to. I find this very frustrating too. I want to go on record saying this, and to let you know, Amber, that I support you. I have no idea why someone thought this is a better solution. I will go to the link for the redesign forum and express this there as well.