University of Illinois’ Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Accessibility policy is based on requirements set forth in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended (“Rehabilitation Act”) and the Illinois Information Technology Accessibility Act (IITAA). The term ICT covers a wide range of software, electronic services, multimedia, electronic documents, and devices. Per law and the ICT Accessibility policy, all ICT used on campus for the mission of the university must be accessible or have an approved accessibility exception. To be considered accessible, a digital product must have the following three characteristics:

• Equally integrated – Providing similarly inclusive experience and access
• Equally effective – Providing equal opportunity or outcome
• Equivalent ease of use – Providing access that is not substantially more difficult for users with a disability

Unfortunately, the university sometimes must utilize systems, software, or processes that do not meet the applicable federal and state standards for accessibility. When this occurs, law and policy requires that equally effective Alternative Access Plans must be developed to address the accessibility issues. An Alternative Access Plan (AAP) describes how to provide an equally effective accessible alternative access to the same information or services offered by an inaccessible technology. The alternative method of access must incorporate the three characteristics of accessibility mentioned above.

These technologies include software that follows the Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) specification for third-party applications that integrate with learning management systems like Canvas, Moodle, etc. It is likely that you will want to make use of one or more of these LTIs and, as an instructor or online course content creator, it is your responsibility to be aware of and to implement the AAP on file for any LTI that you may choose to utilize in your course.

For a list of existing LTIs on campus, see the U of I General LTI Integrations.

For a list of existing AAPs on campus, see Canvas LTI AAPs.

Be sure to check the listing occasionally, as new LTIs will be added.

Contact your department’s IT Accessibility Liaison or the ADA IT Coordinator for campus, if you have any questions about the ICT Accessibility policy or alternative access plans.