What are digital resources and why are we concerned about accessibility?

Digital resources include any technology, equipment, or content that people use to create, edit, transfer, share, display, view, process, or store electronic information. If it has a digital screen or user interface, or if it involves electronic data, it likely needs to meet accessibility standards.

Examples of digital resources that must be accessible:

  1. Software and Applications
    Examples: Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Zoom, Canvas, TrainTraq, mobile apps, operating systems like Windows or macOS.
  2. Hardware and Communication Tools
    Examples: Laptops, desktop computers, tablets, smart displays, printers, smartphones, video conferencing systems, television sets.
  3. Digital Documents and Content
    Examples: Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, PDFs, images, emails.
  4. Audio, Video, and Multimedia
    Examples: Recorded lectures, podcasts, promotional videos, live-streamed events.
  5. Social Media and Digital Marketing
    Examples: Facebook posts, Instagram stories, YouTube tutorials, email newsletters, digital flyers.
  6. Websites and Web Applications
    Examples: University homepage, student portals, faculty intranet, scheduling and web form applications, embedded tools like calendars or chat widgets, plugin's like accessibility overlays.
  7. Self-Contained, Closed Products
    Examples: Check-in kiosks, touchscreen vending machines, digital signage with interactive features.
  8. Databases and Learning Materials
    Examples: Online course platforms, research databases, e-learning modules, training portals.
  9. Other Digital Assets
    Examples: Visitor management systems, device management and processing tools.
  10. Emerging Technologies
    Examples: Virtual reality and augmenting tools, AI prompting tools, wearable technology.

These do not include accessories such as different types of keyboards, mice, microphones, and webcams. Exceptions include computer accessories that use specific software, which can occur with some cameras, scanners, printers, touchscreen monitors, projectors, and so on.

Why do we need to make them accessible?

We use inaccessible digital resources every day:

  • Emails with attachments to event flyers that have to be typed out on a separate calendar application, yet the text is not legible nor can it be copied over.
  • Websites or web apps that do not explain why our answers will not submit on a form.
  • Computers that do not let us use voice commands when we cannot use our hands due to pain, injury, or loss.
  • Kiosks that use only color coding, which is a problem if we cannot see colors to understand the status.

We use and distribute inaccessible digital resources every day:

  • Web page content (e.g., instructions for students in an unreadable image format)
  • Email messages (e.g., deadlines or events using poorly contrasting colors)
  • Word or Adobe PDF documents (e.g., information without proper headings or legible text)
  • YouTube, Facebook, and other social media platforms (e.g., videos without closed captioning)

We want to fix these issues to make sure everyone can participate in programs, services, and activities we provide.

Accessible digital resources offer these benefits:

  • Improves communication
  • Expands learning opportunities in our university community
  • Increases job opportunities for current and future faculty and staff
  • Enhances participation in programs and activities
  • Ensures compliance with federal and state laws, and A&M System regulations
  • Makes digital resources more usable, simplifying daily tasks

We want to progressively improve accessibility

We aim to gradually improve accessibility. While many things we use are currently inaccessible, technology advancements can solve some of these issues right now. Our goal is to educate ourselves and the service providers (vendors) we work with to create a more productive and successful community.

See W3C's The Business Case for Digital Accessibility.

Transitioning away from "EIR"

EIR is an acronym used in the State of Texas and throughout the Texas Administrative Code (TAC). The definition can be found in TAC 206.1 and TAC 213.1:

(9) Electronic and information resources (EIR)--Includes information technology and any equipment or interconnected system or subsystem of equipment used to create, convert, duplicate, store, or deliver data or information. EIR includes telecommunications products (such as telephones), information kiosks and transaction machines, web sites, multimedia, and office equipment such as copiers and fax machines. The term does not include any equipment that contains embedded information technology that is used as an integral part of the product, but the principal function of which is not the acquisition, storage, manipulation, management, movement, control, display, switching, interchange, transmission, or reception of data or information. For example, thermostats or temperature control devices, and medical equipment that contain information technology that is integral to its operation, are not information technology. If the embedded information technology has an externally available web or computer interface, that interface is considered EIR. Other terms such as, but not limited to, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Information Technology (IT), Electronic Information Technology (EIT), etc. can be considered interchangeable terms with EIR for purposes of applicability or compliance with this chapter.

The Digital Accessibility Officer at TAMU-CC is the current Electronic and Information Resources Accessibility Coordinator (EIRAC) per TAC 213.41. This working title change helps our community and service providers talk about digital accessibility more easily.

To avoid confusion, we will use different terms instead of "EIR":

  • ICT (Information and Communication Technology) when talking to vendors. This term is used by federal agencies and in global digital accessibility laws.
  • IT (Information Technology) when talking to the TAMU-CC community. It is a common term, but not all IT can be reviewed for compliance. EIR or ICT are parts of IT.
  • Digital resources in policies and regulations to cover all products and services that can be reviewed for compliance. This term is used in plain language guidance.

EIR Accessibility Coordinator