Content Comparison

ICT Accessibility Procurement Process diagram

Questions for vendors

• Is a VPAT available?  If so, ask for a copy.
• What is their process for testing accessibility?
  • Do they test with actual users with different disabilities?
  • Have they tested with any assistive technologies? Which ones?
• Do they have staff that specialize in accessibility?
• If the product is not accessible, do they have a roadmap for improvement? If so, ask for a copy.
• Who to contact if product is found to have accessibility problems?

Note: See a more extensive list of questions for vendors.

Manual Accessibility Evaluation checklist

VPATs

• Templates
  • VPAT version 1.0
  • VPAT version 2.0 Beta
• Characteristics of a reliable VPAT

• • The salesperson knows what a VPAT is
  • VPAT was completed by a 3rd party rather than the product vendor
  • Every criteria is not “Supported”
  • It is dated within the last year or two
  • There are Remarks and Explanations
    • Real examples are provided
    • Testing procedures are referenced
  • The vendor has a reputation / history of dedicating resources to accessibility, e.g. Microsoft, Google, Blackboard
• Examples
  • Example of an informative VPAT [pdf]
  • Example of a uninformative VPAT (pdf)

Gauge the potential impact of a particular product's accessibility on the University

• Will the product be used by a large number of people?
• Will access to a University program or service be denied?
• Are there workarounds to the accessibility barriers?
• Will a critical program or service be impacted?
• Will the use create significant legal exposure?
• Will the cost of providing accommodations (alternate access) be high?

ICT Accessibility Procurement Form

Other Resources

WebAIM's WCAG 2.0 checklist

W3C Web Accessibility Initiative

Screen reader keystrokes

Incorporating Accessibility into the ICT Procurement Process - Workshop PowerPoints

• Part I: The User's Perspective and Evaluating a website for Accessibility
• Part I: Introduction to Screen Readers

Part I: Mobile Accessibility

• Part II: Evaluating a web-based application for accessibility

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Notice to the Syracuse University Campus Community

The ITS-Digital Accessibility Services team is in the process of moving resources intended for internal SU-consumption out of Answers and into our ITS-Digital Accessibility Services SharePoint Site. This includes but is not limited to information about:

• Procurement of Accessible ICT
• The Digital Accessibility Liaison Network
• Digital Accessibility Services Virtual Office Hours

Information intended for public consumption will be available on the main ITS-Digital Accessibility Services Website. 

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we make this transition of content. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at accessibleIT@syr.edu. 

Thank you,

ITS-Digital Accessibility Services Team