Tips for Accessible Procurement
NC State is dedicated to offering a welcoming and inclusive digital environment for all. As part of that commitment, evaluating digital content for accessibility is an essential piece of the procurement process and ensures that the products and services purchased for university-related business are accessible to the entire campus community.
Because we all play a role in the campus digital environment, it’s important for everyone to be familiar with the university’s digital accessibility regulation. Consider the following tips and best practices for accessible procurement of digital content.
What is Digital Content?
Digital content the university might purchase includes:
- Work done by vendors who develop, host, manage or provide products and services.
- Platforms with online components, such as websites, mobile applications or software-as-a-service platforms.
- Products or systems intended for use or access by NC State students, alumni, faculty, staff, applicants, prospective students or members of the public.
What is a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT)?
A VPAT is a standard document for vendors to report the accessibility of their products or services. A VPAT is crucial for making informed decisions when evaluating a potential vendor. To learn more about VPATs, see the Information Technology Industry Council’s online VPAT training. Here is a VPAT request email template.
Questions To Ask a Potential Vendor
Be clear about the university’s accessibility expectations as early as possible when engaging with a potential vendor. Here are some questions you can ask to evaluate the vendor’s commitment to accessibility:
Overall Approach to Accessibility
- What is the name, title and contact information for the most appropriate accessibility contact for this product or service?
- What is your approach to ensuring accessibility in your product or service? Provide examples of how you have done so in the past.
Documentation
- What accessibility documentation exists for this product or service, such as a VPAT or Accessibility Conformance Report? When was that documentation last updated?
- Can you provide a current, detailed plan for making accessibility improvements to your product or service with dates of intended delivery?
Testing and User Experience
- How do you test your product or service for accessibility? Do you have accessibility testers in-house, such as in the quality assurance department? Or do you hire an outside accessibility consultant?
- Does your product or service rely on activating a special “accessibility mode,” a “lite version” or accessing an alternate interface for accessibility?
For questions about accessible procurement, contact Rebecca Sitton, digital accessibility coordinator.
