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eText@Illinois – truly universally accessible textbooks and training

Presented at 9:15am in Independence on Friday, November 18, 2022.

#36529

Speaker(s)

  • Yury Borukhovich, Sr. eLearning Professional, University of Illinois
  • Milind Basole, Sr. eLearning Professional, University of Illinois

Session Details

  • Length of Session: 1-hr
  • Format: Lecture
  • Expertise Level: Beginner
  • Type of session: General Conference

Summary

eText@Illinois is a course content delivery system developed at the University of Illinois that strives to achieve true universal accessibility that also accommodates undiagnosed and unreported population which by some estimates is 10% of today’s learners. The faculty drivencontent and the system were born accessible to ensure that all students have a similar experience. eText@Illinois is a unique SaaS platform that now routinely caters to 20,000+ student-books each semester at the University of Illinois.

Abstract

eText@Illinois (https://etext.illinois.edu) is a browser-based, multimedia-capable, fully accessible platform to deliver course content and online training in a cost-efficient manner. Content is written by faculty at the University of Illinois for students at the Uof I. Device neutral, eText@Illinois uses an HTML5-based flexible page layout that serves as an intuitive, rich interface for both instructors and students. The system allows students to get their participating course materials in an accessible manner on day one instead of having to wait for a book conversion. eText@Illinois benefits learners with dyslexia, ADHD, ESL learners, those with limited motor abilities as well as other impairments who may not seek help from Disability Services and may struggle with learning.

In this presentation we plan on demonstrating how eText@Illinois utilizes a combination of commercial technologies and innovative programming to universally accommodate all learners, share usage statistics and survey data about how these tools are being utilized.

Keypoints

  1. Innovative use of technologies to provide equitable experience for most learners
  2. How Illinois meets the needs of students with underreported impairments by utilizing eText@Illinois
  3. Learn how similar strategies can be leveraged at their own institutions.

Disability Areas

Cognitive/Learning, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Mobility, Vision

Topic Areas

Accessible Course Design, Accessible Educational Materials, Assistive Technology, Uncategorized, Universal Design for Learning, Web/Media/App Access

Speaker Bio(s)

Yury Borukhovich

Lead developer of eText@Illinois for past 10 years.

Milind Basole

Manager eText@Illinois