Purpose, Scope, and Institutional Standard

Purpose 

EICC is committed to ensuring that all students, employees, and community members can access the information, instruction, and services we provide. 

Digital accessibility supports our mission by: 

  • Removing barriers to learning and engagement. 
  • Ensuring equitable access to instructional materials. 
  • Improving clarity and usability of communication. 
  • Strengthening institutional quality and professionalism. 

Accessible content benefits everyone. Clear structure, readable formatting, captioned media, and organized design improve comprehension, navigation, and overall user experience for all students and employees. 

This manual establishes consistent standards and practical guidance for creating accessible, high-quality digital content across EICC. 

Scope 

These standards apply to all digital content created, shared, or maintained by EICC employees, including: 

  • Course materials and Canvas content 
  • Documents (Word, PDF, Excel, PowerPoint) 
  • Email communications and attachments 
  • Public website and web content 
  • Video and multimedia 
  • Virtual meetings and recordings 
  • Digital forms and shared resources 

These standards apply regardless of whether content is: 

  • Public-facing 
  • Internal 
  • Instructional 
  • Administrative 
  • Temporary or archived 

Any digital content that is distributed or made available to others must be accessible. 

Institutional Standard 

  • Board Policy: Under Review – Pending Approval March 2026  
  • EICC adheres to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA. 
  • Primary reference: WCAG 2.2 Quick Reference 

EICC’s digital accessibility standards are informed by: 

  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title II 
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act 
  • Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act 
  • U.S. Department of Justice guidance 

Accessible digital content is an institutional responsibility and professional quality standard at EICC. 

Standard of Practice 

Digital accessibility at EICC is: 

  • A shared responsibility. 
  • Integrated into everyday workflow. 
  • Addressed proactively when creating content. 
  • Reviewed prior to distribution. 

Employees are expected to: 

  • Use available accessibility tools. 
  • Follow documented best practices. 
  • Correct accessibility issues when identified. 
  • Seek guidance when needed. 

Accessibility is not treated as an afterthought or optional enhancement. It is a standard all content creation. 

Accessibility and Content Quality 

Accessibility and content quality are interconnected. 

Content that is: 

  • Structured 
  • Clearly written 
  • Properly formatted 
  • Captioned 
  • Easy to navigate 
  • is both accessible and higher quality. 

EICC’s standards support compliance and clarity. Accessible content supports student success and reflects institutional professionalism.

Implementation Approach 

EICC recognizes that: 

  • Legacy content may require phased updates. 
  • Accessibility improvement is ongoing. 
  • Employees benefit from training and support. 
  • As materials are revised, redistributed, or newly created, they must meet the standards outlined in this manual. 
  • High-impact content (e.g., instructional materials, public web pages, required documents) must  be prioritized for accessibility review. 

Effective Date and Ongoing Review 

These standards are effective April 1, 2026, and will be reviewed periodically to ensure continued alignment with: 

  • Federal accessibility regulations 
  • WCAG updates 
  • Institutional priorities 

Accessibility practices will evolve as tools and standards develop. 

Digital Accessibility Menu