Accessibility

We strive to provide a welcoming and accessible place for all Illinois State students, faculty, staff, and guests. Accessibility means everyone can use a product or service, regardless of how they encounter it.

Things to try: accessibility, office 365, canvas...

Important Update to Compliance Date!

April 20, 2026: An important update regarding the compliance timeline for the ADA Title II digital accessibility requirements. The previously communicated compliance date has been revised to April 26, 2027.

While updated federal guidance has shifted the timeline, this change should not be interpreted as a pause in accessibility efforts. Instead, it provides additional time for our institution to thoughtfully plan, implement, and sustain accessible digital experiences across web, instructional, and administrative content.

What is Accessibility?

Accessibility refers to the inclusive design and development of digital content and tools that can be accessed and used by people with disabilities. It aims to eliminate barriers and provide equal access to information and functionalities for individuals with various abilities, including those with visual, auditory, physical, or cognitive differences.

The Importance of Accessibility

Inclusion and Equal Opportunity: Ensuring accessibility in digital resources creates an inclusive environment where people of all abilities can fully engage with course materials and participate in discussions.
Improved User Experience: Implementing accessibility features enhances the overall experience. For instance, options such as adjustable text sizes and alternative text for images not only assist people with disabilities but also make content easier to navigate and understand for everyone.
Expanded Reach and Audience: By prioritizing accessibility, opportunities become available to the whole university community. Embracing accessibility allows you to connect with a broader range of people, potentially leading to increased traffic, and engagement.
Legal Compliance: Accessibility is not just a matter of goodwill; it is also required by law in many countries. Legislation, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Illinois Information Technology Accessibility Act mandates accessibility for websites and digital services.

Be part of our mission to help everyone access and navigate digital content with ease.

7 Steps

The basics of accessibility don’t change, but every tool—like Word, Adobe, or Canvas—has its own way of getting you there. These 7 steps will guide you in creating content that works for everyone.

Step 1: Alt Text to Images
Step 2: Structure Section Headings Hierarchically
Step 3: Create Concise and Descriptive Hyperlinks
Step 4: Use Properly Structured Lists to Break Up Content
Step 5: Choose Colors to Support All Users
Step 6: Format Tables with Headers
Step 7: Audio and Video Content

Digital Accessibility Canvas Course

The Digital Accessibility Committee created a Digital Accessibility Canvas course, this self-paced course is a practical guidance to make digital content accessible and is available to all faculty and staff. Enroll today!

Resources

For any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability and/or medical/mental health condition.

Student Access and Accommodation Services

Oversees and enforces the University's program to prevent, detect, and respond appropriately to violations of University policy and applicable state and federal laws related to anti-harassment and non-discrimination statutes.

Office of Equal Opportunity and Access

Contact the Web Accessibility Coordinator for digital accessibility

Web Accessibility Coordinator

Access faculty and instructor resources and training.

Center for Integrated Professional Development

Accessibility Review Request Form

Submit a help ticket