1. Accessibility in the Procurement Process
Information Technology Services
Accessibility in the Procurement Process
Pamela Thomas
IT Accessibility Analyst
Fall 2018

2. Part A: Standards and Tools
Accessibility Basics
Intro to the ICT Accessibility Procurement Process
Standards and Guidelines
Evaluation Tools
Assistive Technologies

3. Accessibility Basics

4. Accessibility defined
Syracuse University | ITS Accessibility
Feb-19
Accessibility defined
A person with a disability is afforded the opportunity to:
acquire the same information,
engage in the same interactions, and
enjoy the same services
as a person without a disability in an:
equally effective and
equally integrated manner,
with substantially equivalent ease of use.

5. Syracuse University | ITS Accessibility
Feb-19
New approach
Proactive rather than reactive
Before…
Becomes
Now…
A student needs to go to the Registrar’s Office during business hours to register for classes because the system was not accessible.
Online registration process is fully accessible for use 24/7
An American Sign Language Interpreter was required to translate a video shown in class.
Videos are captioned
A staff member needs to meet with an HR representative for assistance filling out a benefits form.
All HR forms are accessible

6. Syracuse University | ITS Accessibility
Feb-19
Applicable Laws
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Section 504
Section 508
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Title III

7. Syracuse University | ITS Accessibility
Feb-19
Don’t forget…
Section 504 protects not only qualified individuals with disabilities who apply to and participate in such programs, but also job applicants and employees of the organizations that provide them.

8. Associated Standards and Organizations
Syracuse University | ITS Accessibility
Feb-19
Associated Standards and Organizations
World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)
WCAG 2.1
WAI-ARIA

9. Syracuse University | ITS Accessibility
Feb-19
Local Impact

10. Syracuse University Policy
Syracuse University | ITS Accessibility
Feb-19
Syracuse University Policy
“In its commitment to diversity and inclusion, Syracuse University will seek to ensure that individuals with disabilities are afforded equal access to Information and Communication Technology used by the University and its constituents. As such…the University commits that Information and Communication Technology products and services acquired, adopted, developed or updated after the effective date of this policy, shall be accessible to individuals with disabilities.”
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Accessibility Policy
Effective January 1, 2018

11. Syracuse University | ITS Accessibility
Feb-19
What does it mean?
ICT services and products shall be accessible to individuals with disabilities.
ICT shall adhere to international and federal standards.
Events on campus shall be accessible and enable full participation.

12. Syracuse University | ITS Accessibility
Feb-19
Campus Resources
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Equal Opportunity, Inclusion, & Resolution Services (EOIRS)
Office of Disability Services (ODS)

13. The Procurement Process
Syracuse University | ITS Accessibility
Feb-19
The Procurement Process

14. Impact of the ICT Policy on Procurement
Syracuse University | ITS Accessibility
Feb-19
Impact of the ICT Policy on Procurement
The University will use the criteria of accessibility as part of its decision-making process when purchasing or renewing ICT
Purchasing priority is to be given to technologies that meet accessibility Standards and Guidelines. 
We ask vendors who wish to do business with the University to provide written information about their product’s conformance to applicable accessibility Standards and Guidelines. 
Vendor-supplied statements about accessibility will be verified through hands-on evaluation of the product prior to purchase.

15. Syracuse University | ITS Accessibility
Feb-19
What is included?
Academic and administrative software applications
Websites, web-based and mobile applications
and electronic documents
Multimedia (audio and video)

16. Procurement of ICT Products and Services
Answers page
Accessibility Procurement Request Instructions
Procurement of ICT Products and Services
Instructions
Forms
FAQ

17. Accessibility Compliance Report (VPAT) WCAG 2.0 Manual Evaluation
Paperwork
Forms
Procurement Form
Accessibility Compliance Report (VPAT)
WCAG 2.0 Manual Evaluation
Vendor Roadmap if necessary

18. The Procurement Form: Part A
Syracuse University | ITS Accessibility
Feb-19
The Procurement Form: Part A
Requestor information
Name, department & contact information
Date response requested
Product information
Type of product
Function
Who will use the product and in what capacity?
Is the product already in use and Syracuse University?

19. Procurement Form Part B
Exclusion Request
A request for an exclusion does not guarantee that it will be granted.
Criteria for exclusion are specific.

20. Procurement Request Part C
Usage and Product Accessibility Information
Users, level of impact
Assessments completed
Tools employed in assessment
Impact of non-compliance on users
Product development roadmap

21. Syracuse University | ITS Accessibility
Feb-19
Vendor documentation
Ask the vendor about accessibility!
Do they have a VPAT? If so, get a copy.
Do they understand and comply with accessibility standards (Section 508 or WCAG 2.0 A/AA)
If the product is not accessible do they have a development roadmap for improvement? If so, ask for a copy.
How does the company handle complaints/issues regarding accessibility?

22. Syracuse University | ITS Accessibility
Feb-19
VPAT
Voluntary Product Accessibility Template
Supports
Supports with Exceptions
Does not Support
Not Applicable
Not Evaluated
Created by the Information Technology Industry Council
Version 1.0: conformance with Section 508 Standards
Version 2.0: conformance with WCAG Guidelines

23. How to talk to vendors about accessibility
Share your findings
Ask if they have a product development roadmap [with reasonable target dates] that addresses the accessibility issues
Remember: Your task is to identify accessibility issues, not solve the vendor’s problems!

24. The Accessibility Assessment Committee (AAC)
Syracuse University | ITS Accessibility
Feb-19
The Accessibility Assessment Committee (AAC)
Representatives from ITS, EOIRS, ODS
Meets weekly to review procurement requests
Requests are discussed in the order they are received
Requests are not added to the AAC agenda until they are complete
Anticipate a two-week turnaround time

25. Syracuse University | ITS Accessibility
Feb-19
AAC Decisions
Approved
Conditionally Approved
Often based on vendor remediation plans (product roadmap)
Usually for a limited amount of time
Not Approved
Can be escalated to the Accessibility Compliance Committee (ACC)

26. Contract Language
Sample language for vendor contract to create custom app
Consultant represents and warrants that any information technology deliverables, including but not limited to websites, web-based and mobile applications, , web conferencing, video conferencing, video streaming, instructional materials, electronic documents, blended and online courses, and all academic and administrative software applications, comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.0 Level AA, and agrees to provide written documentation verifying accessibility, to promptly respond to and resolve accessibility complaints received from University, and to indemnify and hold University harmless in the event of claims arising from inaccessibility.

27. More contract language
Sample of a particularly complicated conditional approval…
Licensor represents and warrants that not later than twelve (12) months from the Effective Date (“Compliance Date”) its web based deliverables shall comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.0 Levels A and AA, at which time Licensor agrees to promptly respond to and resolve accessibility complaints received from Client, and to indemnify and hold Client harmless in the event of claims arising from inaccessibility.
Upon Client’s written acceptance from Licensor not later than the Compliance Date of a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template prepared by a third party digital accessibility compliance specialist verifying compliance with WCAG Version 2.0 Level AA of all web based deliverables (“WCAG Verification”), Licensor shall invoice Client for year two of this Agreement. Client, in its sole discretion, may extend the Compliance Date if sufficient progress has been demonstrated and documented by the third party digital accessibility compliance specialist.
If Licensor has not provided WCAG Verification to Client by the Compliance Date, Client may immediately terminate this Agreement shall have no further financial obligation for fees for this Agreement.

28. Accessibility Standards and Guidelines

29. Standards and Guidelines
Section 508 and the 2017 ‘Refresh’
WCAG 2.0 and now 2.1
WAI-ARIA suite of standards
ATAG – Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines
User Agent Accessibility Guidelines

30. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
A set of Success Criteria
Intent
Testable, true or false
Description
Examples of content that meets
Examples of content that does not meet

31. WCAG Principles: P.O.U.R 1. Perceivable 2. Operable 3. Understandable
Understanding WCAG 2.0: A guide to understanding and implementing Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0
1. Perceivable
alternative text
video captions
headings
navigation
color contrast
2. Operable
keyboard accessible
timing adjustable
animation control
bypass blocks
input modalities
3. Understandable
Focus
Consistent navigation
Error identification and recovery
Form labels and instructions
4. Robust
Parsing
Name, Role, Value
Status

32. Tools

33. Your role
Developer vs. Tester

34. Automated Tools vs. Manual Evaluation
Do images have descriptions?
Is the page title specified?
Is there a Skip to Content link?
Are high contrast colors used?
Do forms contain labels?
Do tables contain header rows?
Manual Evaluation
Are images described adequately?
Is the page title meaningful?
Does the Skip to Content link work?
Is color the only means of communicating information?
Do form labels make sense?
Do header rows include helpful information?

35. Navigation (tab) order Menus Forms Video players
Keyboard Testing
See WebAIM: Keyboard Accessibility
Focus indicators
Navigation (tab) order
Menus
Forms
Video players

36. Common Keystrokes Keyboard Accessibility – WebAIM
For accessibility testing…
IF you want to...
Use
Move forward through page elements
Tab
Move down through menu items
Tab (sometimes arrow key)
Move backward through page elements
Shift + Tab
Select a link or button
Enter
Navigate and select Radio Buttons
Arrow to select, tab to jump to next element
Select/deselect checkboxes
Arrows to navigate between, spacebar to check
Open a List Box
ALT + Down arrow
Go to the top of the page
CTRL + Home
Go to the bottom of the page
CTRL + End
Refresh the screen F5

37. Visual Inspection
Color contrast
Color use
Graphical text
Animation
Visible links

38. Errors, Alerts, Features
WAVE Tool
Most popular
Errors, Alerts, Features
Alternative Text on non-decorative images
Heading structure, skipped heading levels
Form labels – missing, empty, etc.
Color contrast

39. SiteImprove Chrome Extension (free)
Errors, Warnings, Reviews
Enough time
Navigation
Predictable
Input Assistance
Compatible
Available in the Chrome Store

40. Color Contrast Checkers
WebAIM Color Contrast Checker
TPG Colour Contrast Analyser (PC/Mac)

41. Assistive Technologies
Screen readers
Jaws
NVDA
VoiceOver for Mac
WebAIM Screen Reader User Survey

42. Testing with a screen reader
Basic Jaws or NVDA
Read content
Navigate via headings and links lists
Navigate menus
Navigate tables
Use forms effectively

43. For next time… You knew this was coming, right?
Practice using your keyboard skills
Practice using the WAVE Tool
Install and practice with JAWS or NVDA