EIU Faculty Development and Innovation Center

Instructional Support & Training Series

Academic Year 2025-26: Enhancing Digital Accessibility @ EIU

Create, Audit, Remediate, Upload

Offered on a weekly basis, the ISTS workshop series offers general tips, tricks, and specific features and functionalities of EIU supported technologies with, in most cases, the subsequent week focusing more specifically on accessibility in each of these technologies.   The accessibility workshops are specifically designed to help faculty create and maintain accessible digital content that meets Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA standards, and will guide faculty and staff through effective practices for making course materials in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and OneNote accessible.

Participants will also learn how to create and audit accessible PDFs with Adobe Acrobat, and ensure D2L content—including pages, media, and assessments—is fully compliant.  Specialized workshops on video accessibility with Kaltura and creating other accessible multimedia content are also offered. For faculty and staff focused on continuous improvement, sessions on conducting accessibility audits and developing action plans to maintain ongoing compliance will be provided as well.

For archived ISTS training videos, if you have EIU credentials (EIU account) please go to this link

tinyurl.com/iststraining > Accessibility training folder > Semester > Topic

* If not please email fdic_help@eiu.edu

Spring workshop dates to be announced soon

📢 Notice: Accessibility Workshop Standards 📢

All accessibility-focused workshops in the Instructional Support & Training Series are designed in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II.

Our goal is to help you create digital content that meets Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA standards.

To learn more about these guidelines and standards, please visit this link: https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG21/quickref/

To register for an ISTS Workshop, please visit the FDIC Registration Page: https://eiu.libcal.com/calendar/fdic 

All Workshop Location:

Gregg Technology Center Classroom, Tuesday from 3pm-4pm

Workshop 1: Getting to know D2L and Introduction to Digital Accessibility at EIU

Learning Objectives

• Getting to know D2L

  • Remember the key features of D2L, including Course Content, Communication, and Assessment tools.

  • Understand the functions of the D2L interface to effectively manage a course.

  • Apply D2L's tools to upload course content, communicate with learners, and set up assessments.

  • Analyze the learner management features to monitor student progress and participation.

  • Evaluate the different D2L features to determine which are most effective for specific instructional needs.

  • Create a basic course structure within D2L that includes content, communication channels, and assessments.

  Join us for a general overview of D2L, and because this training is for you, bring your questions; we'll set aside time for Q&A!

• Introduction to Digital Accessibility at EIU

  • Create digital course materials that adhere to the principles of Universal Design, ensuring content is accessible to all students from the outset.

  • Audit various digital documents and resources using built-in accessibility checkers to identify common accessibility barriers.

  • Remediate accessibility issues in course content by applying best practices and utilizing tools like SensusAccess to convert files into alternative formats.

  • Upload course materials to D2L with an understanding of how EIU's accessibility resources and guidelines support a compliant and inclusive learning environment.

• Dates:
  • Fall September 2, 2025

ISTS Training Video: Getting to know D2L and Introduction to Digital Accessibility at EIU

Workshop 2: Crafting Accessible Content in D2L Brightspace: Multimedia, Interactive Elements & Assessments

• Learning Objectives

  • Create accessible multimedia, including videos with captions and audio transcripts on Kaltura.

  • Audit D2L quizzes and assessments to ensure they are designed for accessibility and are usable with assistive technologies.

  • Remediate D2L pages, announcements, and assignments by using the D2L accessibility checker to fix identified issues.

  • Upload interactive elements that are properly formatted and navigable for students using assistive technologies.

• Dates:
  • Fall September 9, 2025

ISTS Training Video: Crafting Accessible Content in D2L Brightspace: Multimedia, Interactive Elements & Assessments

Workshop 3: Overview of PDFs, Word Documents, and PowerPoint Presentations

• Learning Objectives

  • Remember how to recover unsaved files and use features like tracking changes.

  • Understand the process of file format conversion and how to use OCR.

  • Apply quick navigation tips and other helpful features for editing documents and contract redlining.

• Dates:
  • Fall September 16, 2025

ISTS Training Video: Overview of PDFs, Word Documents, and PowerPoint Presentations

Workshop 4: Creating Accessible PDFs, Word Documents, and PowerPoint Presentations 

• Learning Objectives

• Create accessible Word and PowerPoint documents with proper headings and alt text.

• Audit PDF documents using Adobe Acrobat's Accessibility Checker.

• Remediate accessibility issues in documents like poor color contrast.

• Upload accessible documents to D2L, preserving all accessibility features.

• Dates:
  • Fall September 23, 2025

ISTS Training Video: Creating Accessible PDFs, Word Documents, and PowerPoint Presentations 

Workshop 5: Overview of Microsoft Excel

• Learning Objectives

• Remember how to use filters effectively.

• Understand how to create and modify pivot tables.

• Apply version history and file recovery techniques to manage Excel files.

• Dates:
  • Fall September 30, 2025

ISTS Training Video: Overview of Microsoft Excel

Workshop 6: Overview of Microsoft Excel conti. and accessibility in Excel

• Learning Objectives

  • Remember basic formulas and functions in Excel.

  • Understand shortcut methods and time-saving tips for efficiency.

  • Apply principles of accessibility to Excel spreadsheets to ensure they are usable for all students.

• Dates:
  • Fall October 7, 2025

ISTS Training Video: Microsoft Excel conti. and accessibility in Excel

Workshop 7: Overview of Adobe Creative Cloud AI (Express, Firefly), Images (Photoshop, lightroom)

• Learning Objectives

  • Remember how to access Adobe Creative Cloud AI (Express, Firefly), and image editing software (Photoshop, Lightroom).

  • Understand the specific functions and applications of each product, such as using Firefly for generative AI or Photoshop for detailed image manipulation.

  • Apply the tools and features of these Adobe products to create and modify images.

  • Analyze how to best incorporate these image creation and editing tools into your curriculum.

  • Evaluate the suitability of each product for different instructional purposes and choose the most effective one.

• Dates:
  • Fall October 14, 2025

ISTS Training Video: Adobe creative Cloud AI (Express, Firefly), Images (Photoshop, lightroom)

Workshop 8: Accessibility in Adobe creative Cloud AI (Express, Firefly), Images (Photoshop, lightroom)

• Learning Objectives

  • Create accessible images with Adobe Creative Cloud, meeting WCAG color standards.

  • Audit existing images for proper descriptive alt text.

  • Remediate non-compliant images by adding alt text and adjusting colors.

  • Upload accessible images to D2L with correct descriptions.

• Dates:
  • Fall October 21, 2025

ISTS Training Video: Accessibility in Adobe creative Cloud AI (Express, Firefly), Images (Photoshop, lightroom)

Workshop 9: Overview of Adobe Creative Cloud Video/Audio (premiere pro, Premiere Rush, Audition) 

• Learning Objectives
  

  • Remember how to access and navigate Adobe Creative Cloud video and audio applications (Premiere Pro, Premiere Rush, Audition).

  • Understand the distinct uses of each product, from professional video editing in Premiere Pro to simplified mobile editing in Premiere Rush and audio-specific tasks in Audition.

  • Apply the basic functions of these tools to edit video clips, audio tracks, and create multimedia content.

  • Analyze which video and audio applications are most appropriate for different classroom projects and learning objectives.

  • Evaluate the potential of these tools to create engaging and dynamic instructional materials.

• Dates:
  • Fall October 28, 2025

ISTS Training Video: Adobe Creative Cloud Video/audio (premiere pro, Premiere Rush, Audition)

Workshop 10: Accessibility in Adobe Creative Cloud Video/audio (premiere pro, Premiere Rush, Audition)

• Learning Objectives

  • Create accessible video and audio with accurate captions and transcripts.

  • Audit video and audio to ensure captions are synchronized and correct.

  • Remediate non-compliant video by editing captions and adding descriptive audio.

  • Upload accessible video and audio to D2L with all features enabled.

• Dates:
  • Fall November 4, 2025

ISTS Training Video: Accessibility in Adobe Creative Cloud Video/audio (premiere pro, Premiere Rush, Audition)

Workshop 11: Auditing, Remediation, and Sustaining Accessibility Part 1 + Sensus access

• Learning Objectives

  • Create an accessibility action plan for a D2L course.

  • Audit a D2L course to identify all non-compliant content.

  • Remediate course materials using the SensusAccess tool to convert files.

  • Upload remediated and converted materials to D2L.

• Dates:
  • Fall November 11, 2025

ISTS Training Video: Auditing, Remediation, and Sustaining Accessibility Part 1 + Sensus access

Workshop 12: Auditing, Remediation, and Sustaining Accessibility Part 2 + Sensus access

• Learning Objectives

  • Create a sustainable workflow for future content.

  • Audit a course for complex accessibility issues.

  • Remediate complex issues by collaborating with EIU experts.

  • Upload new and remediated content to D2L, maintaining ongoing compliance.

• Dates:
  • Fall November 18, 2025

ISTS Training Video: Auditing, Remediation, and Sustaining Accessibility Part 2 + Sensus access

For workshop descriptions and registration, go to our new registration page:  https://eiu.libcal.com/calendar/fdic

Past Series

Spring 2024 Programming

Tuesdays:    Instructional Technology Support Virtual Lab – 1pm to 2:30pm, Zoom: https://eiu.zoom.us/j/98635571523

Thursdays:   Instructional Technology Support Open Lab – 3pm to 4pm, E-Classroom (4450 Booth E-Classroom)

 January 2024

January 17, 2024: D2L Course Layouts and User Experience, 3:00pm to 3:45pm, E-Classroom (4450 Booth)

Facilitator: Keerthana Saraswathula

January 24, 2024: D2L Basics: Six 5-minutes Fixes to Improve Your Course – 3pm to 3:45pm, E-Classroom (4450 Booth)

Facilitator: Elaine Yaw

January 31, 2024: Adobe Creative Cloud Discovery Session – 4pm to 5pm, Center for Student Innovation (1220 Booth)

February 2024

February 7, 2024: Intro to Adobe Express: Wednesday, 12:00pm – 12:45pm, E-Classroom (4450 Booth)

Facilitators: David Smith & Keerthana Saraswathula

February 14, 2024: Remediate PDFs with Adobe Acrobat – Wednesday, 3:00pm – 3:45pm, E-Classroom (4450 Booth)

Facilitator: Elaine Yaw

February 21, 2024: Kaltura Capture and Video Editing – Wednesday, 3:00pm – 3:45pm, E-Classroom (4450 Booth)

Facilitator: Keerthana Saraswathula

February 28, 2024: Managing Quizzes in D2L – Wednesday, 3:00pm – 3:45pm, E-Classroom (4450 Booth)

Facilitator: David Smith

March 2024

March 6, 2024: D2L Managing Gradebooks – Wednesday 3:00pm to 3:45pm, E-Classroom (4450 Booth)

Facilitator: FDIC Staff

March 13, 2024: Using Respondus 4.0 – Wednesday, 3:00p to 3:45p, Center for Student Innovation (1220 Booth)

Facilitator: FDIC Staff

March 27, 2024: Introduction to Office 365 – Wednesday, 3:00pm to 3:45pm, E-Classroom (4450 Booth)

Facilitator: FDIC Staff

April 2024

April 3, 2024: Managing Feedback in D2L Dropboxes – Wednesday 3:00pm to 3:45pm, E-Classroom (4450 Booth)

Facilitator: FDIC Staff

April 10, 2024: Utilizing Turnitin with D2L Drop Boxes – Wednesday, 3:00pm to 3:45pm, E-Classroom (4450 Booth)

Facilitator: FDIC Staff

Last updated: 1-August-2024