Canvas is updating its course menu navigation to include color and visual indicators to define active/hidden menu links in order to improve accessibility. Currently, hidden menu links rely on color only to convey their status and display in light gray text. In the update, all menu links are displayed to teachers in blue, with the currently selected link shown in black with a vertical line. Links that are not visible to students, display to teachers with a hidden visibility icon.

Menu links are not visible to a student in one of two cases: the tool contains no content, or the tool is hidden via the Navigation tab in the course Settings. A new tool-tip clarifies the hidden state appropriately.

No functionality has been affected with this visual change and navigation can still be modified in your course Settings.
The planned release date for this change is Saturday, October 19, 2019, but check the Canvas gateway page for current Canvas Release Notes.