Equally Effective Alternate Access Plan (EEAAP)

What is an EEAAP?

An Equally Effective Alternate Access Plan (EEAAP) is a formal document that outlines how individuals with disabilities will be provided with access 
to information and services that are functionally equivalent to those provided to others, especially when a digital resource or technology is not fully accessible.

An EEAAP ensures that:

• Individuals with disabilities can acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services as their peers.
• Alternate access is timely, accurate, and delivered in a format appropriate to the individual's needs.
• The plan is flexible and should be updated as needed to address new accessibility issues or changes in technology.

When Should You Create an EEAAP?

An EEAAP should be developed when:

• The technology is widely used across courses or departments.
• The technology is required for course participation or completion.
• The technology is used across multiple semesters.
• There is no accessible alternative available.
• An accessibility issue is identified during use (e.g., through testing, user feedback, or vendor disclosure).

How to Create an EEAAP

LSUS ITS has a service request to guide you through making an EEAAP. You can initiate this by visiting: <link>

Steps to Complete an EEAAP

1. Technology Overview

   • Name of the technology or tool.
   • Purpose and scope of use.
   • Owner or administrator of the technology.
   • Intended audience (e.g., students, faculty, staff).

2. Accessibility Evaluation

   • Identify known or potential accessibility barriers.
   • Indicate how these were discovered (e.g., manual testing, third-party audit, user feedback).
   • Specify which user groups are affected and how (e.g., screen reader users, keyboard-only users).

3. Impact Assessment

   • Describe how the barrier affects the user’s ability to complete tasks or access content.
   • Consider the role of the user (e.g., student completing assignments, instructor grading work).

4. Alternate Access Strategy

   • Detail how you will provide equivalent access (e.g., alternative formats, human assistance, different tools).
   • Ensure the alternative is equally effective in terms of timeliness, accuracy, and usability.

5. Implementation Plan

   • List the tasks required to implement the alternate access.
   • Identify the resources needed (e.g., captioning services, assistive technology).
   • Assign responsibilities for each task.

6. Monitoring and Updates

   • Define how the EEAAP will be reviewed and updated.
   • Assign a point of contact for ongoing oversight.