Digital Accessibility

Opening Note for Employees 

Clear, usable, and accessible communication is essential to how we serve students, one another, and our communities. Across Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC), we share information every day — through courses, documents, emails, websites, videos, and digital tools. When that information is accessible, it ensures that all students and employees can engage fully and confidently with the college.

Digital accessibility is not a separate initiative. It is part of our responsibility to provide high-quality instruction, services, and communication. It supports student access, strengthens understanding, and reflects the professionalism and care we bring to our work. 

This manual provides practical guidance and clear expectations for creating accessible digital content across EICC. It is designed to support employees in incorporating accessibility into everyday work from course materials and presentations to email, web content, and public communications.  

The goal is consistency, clarity, and usability across all areas of the college. Accessibility practices also support efficiency and quality. Content that is well structured, readable, and accessible is easier for all audiences to use and understand. By building accessibility into how we create and share information, we strengthen student experience and the effectiveness of our work. 

Thank you for your attention to these practices and for the care you bring to supporting students and one another each day. 

WCAG and Higher Education 

Across higher education, digital accessibility plays an essential role in student access to information, instruction, and services. National data continue to show that students who encounter barriers to information and learning environments are less likely to persist and complete their educational goals. When course materials, websites, forms, or communications are not accessible, students may experience delays in accessing content or may be unable to engage fully with their coursework and college services. 

Accessible digital content ensures that students can obtain information at the same time and in the same format as their peers. When materials are structured clearly and designed with accessibility in mind, students are able to participate more fully in learning, communicate effectively with instructors and staff, and remain engaged in their academic experience. As colleges and universities continue to expand online, hybrid, and technology-supported learning, digital accessibility has become a core operational responsibility. 

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide the primary framework used across higher education to guide accessible digital content. WCAG outlines standards for readability, navigation, structure, captioning, color contrast, and overall usability. Federal guidance has long recognized WCAG as the benchmark for accessible digital content across public institutions. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act incorporated WCAG 2.0 Level AA as the required accessibility standard for federal agencies and entities providing public services, including many higher education institutions. Updated expectations continue to align with WCAG 2.2 Level AA standards. 

While WCAG is a set of technical guidelines, its purpose is practical: ensuring that digital content is usable and accessible to all individuals who interact with an institution. For colleges and universities, aligning with WCAG standards supports consistent access to instruction, services, and information across all platforms. It also ensures that institutions are meeting recognized accessibility expectations and maintaining high standards for digital communication and content quality. 

By incorporating WCAG-aligned practices into everyday work, EICC strengthens the student experience, improve usability for all audiences, and ensure that digital content remains clear, accessible, and effective. 

How to Use This Manual 

This training is organized by common content types and communication methods used across EICC, including: 

  • Documents (Word, PDF, PowerPoint) 
  • Canvas course content 
  • Email and texting communications 
  • Website and public content 
  • Video and multimedia 
  • Virtual meetings and recordings 

 Each section includes: 

  • Why accessibility matters 
  • EICC expectations 
  • Best practices 
  • Required tools or checks 
  • Quick reference guidance 

Employees must reference the sections most relevant to their role and the type of content they create. Accessibility practices must be incorporated as content is created and reviewed prior to distribution or posting. 

Digital Accessibility Menu