Digital Accessibility at EIU
At EIU, digital accessibility is a fundamental civil right. We proactively design our digital spaces to WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards, as waiting for a student accommodation request violates our inclusive-by-design commitment and leaves insufficient time for remediation.
The Department of Justice requires full ADA compliance by April 26, 2027. Since this falls at the end of the spring semester, faculty should focus remediation efforts on Summer and Fall 2027 courses. All active D2L materials, preexisting documents, and required third-party tools must be accessible; federal exemptions are strictly limited to unused, archived reference files. Please proactively audit your digital spaces and contact the FDIC for hands-on remediation support.
Title II of the ADA legally mandates that public institutions like EIU make all services, programs, and activities accessible to people with disabilities. This applies to all digital content, including:
To meet these legal obligations, all digital materials must meet the technical standards set in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA and follow the POUR principles. Digital accessibility is an ongoing, dynamic process, the information provided on this page serves as an educational resource and framework to assist the EIU community in creating inclusive content.
While EIU is fully committed to removing barriers and striving for WCAG 2.1 AA compliance, this resource acts as a guide rather than a definitive guarantee of complete technical accessibility across all university platforms at all times.
Where to Start?
FDIC Guidance
Moving forward, faculty must ensure all new and existing digital course content (documents, video, audio, and D2L text) meets WCAG 2.1 standards. Please replace or remediate non-accessible materials. (Note: Archived materials that will not be used in future classes do not require remediation).
We also recommend updating course syllabi with the official EIU Accessibility Statement, directing students to the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations (OAA).
Below is an approved statement you should add to your syllabus to let your students know you are committed to an inclusive classroom:
"I am committed to making this course inclusive and accessible for everyone. If you need formal accommodations due to a documented disability, please contact the Office of Accessibility & Accommodations (OAA) at accommodations@eiu.edu or 217-581-6583 so we can implement a support plan. Accessibility is an ongoing effort. If you encounter any barriers with our digital course materials, readings, or technology, please let me know right away. I will work with you to provide an alternative format and resolve the issue."
Stay up-to-date by following the FDIC monthly newsletter through your email. Training and assistance to faculty is available through the Instructional Support and Training Specialist (ISTS) Team; please contact the ISTS Team at fdic_help@eiu.edu.
Direct Support & Remediation
-
1:1 Consultations: Contact Digital Accessibility Specialist Keerthana Saraswathula at knsaraswathula@eiu.edu (217-581-7856) or your department's ISTS.
- Coffee and Consults: Join us at Java Bakery every Wednesday from 1:30–2:30 pm.
-
Digital Accessibility Request Visit/Training: Request custom training for department faculty meetings, specific software/accessibility topics, or training for department graduate students and student workers to assist faculty in remediation.
-
Remediation Requests: Faculty can request hands-on assistance using the Content Remediation Request or the Course Review Request
-
Note on Images: While the FDIC can help fix technical document tags, we specifically request faculty to write the "Alternative Text" for images. Since you are the subject matter expert, you are the best person to describe why a specific chart or image is important to the lesson. We can show you how and share best practices.
Courses & Workshops
-
"Accessible by Design" D2L Course: Register by selecting the text.This course provides instructional videos and walks faculty through creating engaging deliverables, helping you build a portfolio of accessible templates to use in future semesters.
-
ISTS Workshop/Training Series: Join our engaging monthly workshops adn trainings for a fun and collaborative learning experience. This year's series is focused on creating, auditing, remediating, and uploading accessible digital learning materials (including Microsoft 365, Adobe, Kaltura, and others) into D2L Brightspace.
Tools & Resources
The written information and resources are developed or curated by the
Faculty Development and Innovation Center
phone 217-581-7051 :: email fdic@eiu.edu :: web eiu.edu/fdic
Contact the FDIC for instructional design related questions or to schedule a consultation appointment. The FDIC staff can recommend instructional design strategies for your online, hybrid, and face-to-face courses.
Page updated: 9/30/2026
