Systemwide Tools

The CSU Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI) has procured and implemented Enterprise level tools that assist in the automated and manual evaluation of websites and web apps. In addition, the ATI office has negotiated with professional service vendors to provide tools and related services to support digital accessibility efforts at each of the 23 campuses.

AIMHub is an online resource developed collaboratively by the California State University and California Community Colleges systems to enhance the educational experience for students with print-based disabilities. It provides a unified, web-based platform to assist campus Disability Services staff in locating and obtaining instructional materials in alternate formats, such as braille, electronic text, and large print. This system aims to reduce delays in providing accessible materials, thereby improving students’ course participation. 

In 2025, AIMHub set long-term goals to refresh the platform, including improving site accessibility, updating the front-end design to modern standards, and reviewing and enhancing security measures. Users seeking accounts are advised to contact their campus administrator for AIMHub access.

As of March, 2025. AIMHub.org This link will take you to an external website in a new tab. is fully functional and accepting registrations from any higher education accounts.

Ally Logo

 

What is Ally?

Ally is a tool that benefits all students by improving the accessibility and usability of course materials. Ally seamlessly integrates into Canvas and automatically checks the accessibility of course content, provides feedback and step-by-step instructions for how to remediate specific accessibility barriers, and gives students access to alternative course content formats.

CSU Resources

The CSU supports Ally's campus implementations by coordinating and subsidizing a systemwide Ally license for all interested campuses. Ally integrates into the learning management system, reviews each course's files, provides several additional formatted accessible options for each file, and recommends improving the accessibility of all the digital course content.

For more information, please visit the CSU Ally Deployment & Resources website (CSYou login required) This link will take you to an external website in a new tab.

Campus Ally Websites

Aira now has a Master Pricing Agreement with the California State University (CSU) organization. As such, all CSU campuses receive preferential per-minute rates on both of Aira's apps-as-service: Aira Explorer and Aira ASL

Aira Explorer is a mobile app that connects members of the blind and low vision community to trained, vetted, and professional visual interpreters in real time. Recognized nationwide as accommodation at over 50 college campuses, 60+ airports, and in the workplaces of Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and State and Federal Governments, it is the only app of its kind that connects a secure professional to the user for tasks that can range across these diverse types of tasks:

  • Navigation and wayfinding
  • Rideshare and taxi driver and license plate verification
  • Audio Descriptions of live events and classes
  • Reading printed materials
  • Accessing Visual Signage
  • Working online with web tasks that are not screen-reader friendly

Aira ASL is a mobile app that connects the user to a sign language interpreter with captions. It is the only app of its kind that both comes with captions baked in and doesn't require proof of Deafness to use.

Implementation

There are 2 main ways to implement Aira ASL and/or Aira Explorer on a campus. Both of these options can be turned on for service same-day:

  • Geofencing: this captures all usage within a geographical area for users who opt into having location services turned on. Geofencing is flexible, and specific buildings or entire campuses can be encompassed.
  • Linked Users: individual users can be assigned profiles for their education and/or employment at CSU. The campus can set a limit on the amount of monthly minutes a user can access.

Additionally, Aira Explorer also has one other form of implementation:

  • Access Offer: a campus can set a specific use-case for which Aira Explorer can be used, and define it in 3-4 sentences. Common such use cases are websites such as Target.com or Walmart.com. Other institutions have set requirements like "show your campus ID to the Visual Interpreter to commence your call."

Youtube: What are Aira Explorer and Aira ASL? This link will take you to an external website in a new tab.

What is Equidox

Equidox is a powerful PDF remediation software designed to make digital documents accessible to individuals with disabilities. It provides an intuitive, user-friendly platform that simplifies the process of applying accessibility features such as proper tagging, alternative text, and logical reading order. Equidox helps organizations comply with key accessibility standards, including PDF/UA (ISO 14289), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) This link will take you to an external website in a new tab., and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 This link will take you to an external website in a new tab..

Equidox is a powerful PDF remediation software designed to make digital documents accessible to individuals with disabilities. It provides an intuitive, user-friendly platform that simplifies the process of applying accessibility features such as proper tagging, alternative text, and logical reading order. Equidox helps organizations comply with key accessibility standards, including PDF/UA (ISO 14289), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) This link will take you to an external website in a new tab., and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.This link will take you to an external website in a new ta

By automating the remediation process and offering cloud-based access, Equidox empowers users to efficiently create accessible PDFs, ensuring compliance, enhancing user experience, and promoting inclusivity across digital content.

Benefits of Equidox

  • Compliance and Legal Protection: By utilizing Equidox, CSU is proactively working towards meeting accessibility standards, such as WCAG and Section 508, ensuring compliance and reducing the risk of legal challenges related to inaccessible documents.
  • Improved User Experience: Accessible PDFs created with Equidox enhance the overall user experience for individuals with disabilities. By providing a seamless and independent means of accessing information, CSU fosters a positive and inclusive digital environment.
  • Time and Resource Efficiency: Equidox significantly reduces the time and resources required for manual document remediation. Its automated features streamline the process, allowing departments to allocate resources efficiently and prioritize accessibility without compromising productivity.

Key Features of Equidox

  • Automated Remediation: Equidox employs advanced algorithms to automatically detect and rectify accessibility issues within PDF documents. This includes ensuring proper heading structures, alternative text for images, and logical reading order. The automated remediation feature not only saves time but also ensures consistent and accurate results.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Equidox offers an intuitive interface that simplifies the process of making PDFs accessible, allowing users with varying levels of technical expertise to efficiently remediate documents.
  • Mass Processing: The software allows users to remediate multiple PDF files simultaneously, improving efficiency and scalability for larger projects.
  • Cloud-Based Access: Equidox is accessible via the cloud (browser), enabling users to work from anywhere with an internet connection while ensuring document security and compliance.

Equidox Resources

For additional assistance on Equidox checkout the resources below.

Note: some of the videos may visually look different than your system, due to a recent update of the user interface.

CSU Systemwide License for JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion

The California State University (CSU) Accessible Technology Initiative maintains a systemwide license for JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion—industry-leading assistive technologies that enhance digital access for individuals with visual impairments. This license ensures widespread availability across all 23 CSU campuses and the Chancellor’s Office.

Key Features of the CSU License:

 Unlimited Campus Installations:

The CSU license permits unlimited JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion installations on campus-managed devices, including physical machines, computer labs, virtual environments, and virtual desktops.

 Installations at Home:

All CSU-affiliated individuals—including students, faculty, staff, and anyone with a CSU or Chancellor’s Office email address—are entitled to install the software on up to two personal devices.

To access the software for personal use, visit the Freedom Scientific portal here:

JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion Home Use This link will take you to an external website in a new tab.

 Annual License File Distribution:

A single license file is distributed to campuses once per year, authorizing the activation of the latest versions of the software, downloadable from the vendor’s website This link will take you to an external website in a new tab..

Campuses can retrieve the current license file from the CSU SharePoint site here:

👉 CSU Campus License File (Login Required) This link will take you to an external website in a new tab.

 Recommended for Baseline Deployment:

Campuses are strongly encouraged to include JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion in baseline software deployments, ensuring accessibility across student labs, employee workstations, classrooms, and shared-use computers.

This systemwide initiative reflects the CSU’s commitment to digital accessibility, empowering campuses to remove barriers and provide consistent access to essential assistive technologies for the entire CSU community.

 

Accessibility Solutions Available Solutions for the California State University System

This CSU System’s dedicated accessibility team has been working with Verbit for more than 12 years. Through this partnership, Verbit offers live and post-production captioning and audio description solutions at special pricing for the entire University system.

Verbit’s professional human transcribers provide high quality, accurate captions and transcripts, fast turnaround times and support and integrations for multiple file types and platforms, including YouTube, Canvas Studio, Kaltura and many more! Our captioning solutions help customers unlock the value of speech by capturing their words, extracting additional insights.

Verbit Pricing

ProductTurnaround timePrice per minute
Extended Audio Description120-hours$ 6.30
Remote CART (English)48-hour pre-booking$ 1.87
Remote CART (Spanish)48-hour pre-booking$ 2.25
Captioning & Transcription96-hour$ 1.91
Captioning & Transcription48-hour$ 2.05
Captioning & Transcription24-hour$ 2.62
Captioning & Transcription8-hour$ 3.32

 

Quick Start Guide

Getting started with Verbit is quick and simple. Just follow the steps below. Here are two quick steps to set up your department for live or post-production captioning and transcription or audio description with Verbit:

Webinars

Check out our monthly CSU specific webinars here: Accessibility Excellence at the CSUs This link will take you to an external website in a new tab.. Together we will cover a wide range of accessibility solutions, inclusive technologies, and customer successes. Simply sign up for one (or all!) of the webinars This link will take you to an external website in a new tab. that interest you and we’ll send a confirmation link.

Training Resources

Ready to get started? The resources below are a great starting point.

User Management 

Integrations

The California State University System’s Dedicated Account Manager

Lindsay Cisar
Account Manager, Verbit
Lindsay.Cisar@verbit.ai
For technical support, please email support@verbit.ai.