Digital Accessibility Toolkit for
Faculty and Staff
Creating & Fixing Content
Digital Accessibility Checkers
Document Auditing (Word & PDF)
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PAC (PDF Accessibility Checker): Industry-standard software that checks PDFs for structural errors against the PDF/UA standard.
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Check Axes (axes4): Web-based version of the PAC checker to quickly catch surface-level PDF errors without downloading software.
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SensusAccess: A powerful file conversion tool that can transform inaccessible documents into alternative formats (like MP3 audio files, Braille, or structural text).
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Browser & Web Checkers
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WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool): A highly visual browser extension that highlights color and structural errors directly on web pages. Great for quickly scanning D2L modules.
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axe DevTools: A developer extension for automated testing in web environments and LMS platforms, recognized industry-wide as a premier testing engine.
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AccessibilityChecker.org: A free web tool that scans website links against ADA standards.
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Color Contrast Analyzers
Screen Readers (Desktop & Mobile)
Media & Caption Checking Tools
Manual & Functional Testing
Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) & Equally Effective Alternative Access Plan (EEAP)
Ensure third-party tools, textbooks, and software are accessible before purchasing or adopting them for a course.
What is a VPAT? A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is a document where vendors prove how their software meets accessibility rules. Always review a vendor's VPAT before adopting new tools. Review EIU's existing vendor VPATs here.
What is an EEAP? An Equally Effective Alternative Access Plan (EEAP) is a documented, formal backup plan. If a crucial software or simulation is not accessible, the EEAP explains how the university will provide the exact same educational experience to a student with a disability, and it must be created before an accommodation is even requested. Learn more about EEAPs here.
We want to ensure you have everything you need to move forward!
If there are any additional resources, clarifications, or support we can provide to help you, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team at fdic_help@eiu.edu
