Accessibility
Website and Digital
In today's digital age, accessibility has become an essential consideration for creating inclusive and user-friendly experiences on the web. Accessibility refers to designing and developing digital content and platforms that can be accessed and used by all individuals, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. It ensures that everyone has equal access to information, services, and functionalities online.
We strive to provide an inclusive online environment developed and designed to be used by anyone regardless of ability or disability by ensuring Illinois State University websites, applications, and digital documents support a functional, accessible, and interactive experience.
Applications and text editors have features available to design and create accessible documents, web pages, and media. Learn how to use common campus resources to create more inclusive digital materials. Anyone who creates content for online use is responsible for making sure that content is accessible. For a quick reference, visit our Accessible Course Content Checklist and Accessible Web Content.
Find Accessibility Help Articles and Tutorials
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Microsoft Products
Microsoft products have built in functions to help create accessible digital materials.
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Canvas
Canvas is a powerful learning management system that offers a several options to create accessible course content.
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Omni Campus CMS
Use Omni Campus CMS to create accessible webpages.
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PDF Accessibility
Adobe Acrobat Pro can help fix inaccessible PDFs.
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Social Media
Social media platforms have ways to provide inclusively designed messages.
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Zoom
Help make your online meeting accessible.
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Adobe InDesign
InDesign has features that allow you to export accessible PDFs.
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GoogleDocs
Create accessible documents in GoogleDocs
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CampusPress
Create accessible websites with CampusPress.
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Padlet
Create a more accessible experience in Padlet
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Canva
Create a accessible documents and presentations with Canva.
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Calendly
Create accessible calender invites
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EdPuzzle
Create accessible interactive video lessons
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Echo Labs
Add captions to your video contents
Overview of Accessibility Best Practices
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Page Structure
Learn common practices to provide accessible page structure with headings, lists, and more.
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Page Content
Learn how to improve your page's styling and content.
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Multi-Media
Learn how to make your multi-media accessible.
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Forms
Learn how to create accessible and interactive web and document forms.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
Illinois State follows the ADA Title II, Illinois Information Technology Accessibility Act Standards, and the United States' Section 508 Standards which all direct to the World Wide Web Consortium's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.+ Level A & AA. These guidelines provide standard practices for designers, developers, and content authors to create content for a diverse range of abilities. Though website accessibility is necessary for some people to access and use digital content - it benefits all users.
In October 2023, the W3C released Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2.
ADA Title II Update
US Department of Justice issued new regulation on April 24, 2024, that significantly updated digital accessibility requirements for state and local governments.
Title II of the ADA requires state and local governments to provide services, programs, and activities that are accessible to people with disabilities. Title II applies to all services, programs, or activities of state and local governments, including public universities. This accessibility obligation includes services, programs, and activities that are offered online and through mobile apps.
The new Web Rule lists specific requirements about how to ensure that web content and mobile applications (apps) are accessible to people with disabilities. All state and local governments’ web content, including content provided by mobile apps, needs to meet the WCAG Version 2.1, Level A & AA by the compliance date (April 24, 2026) unless there is an exception that applies.