B1G Academic Alliance Vendor Guide
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Vendor Guide to Web Accessibility for Higher Education Customers ITAG Vendor Group Summary What is Accessibility? Accessibility is the practice of designing and developing websites and applications such that their presentation, content and functionalities are understandable and operable by as many people as possible. Accessibility is often defined in terms of compatibility with assistive technologies, particularly those used by blind individuals that supplement or replace standard displays and input strategies. It also ensures that the default presentation is understandable and operable by as many people as possible. Finally, it includes a commitment to address accessibility problems in a timely manner and avoid the introduction of new problems during product revisions. Why Accessibility? An increasing number of postsecondary institutions are adding accessibility to their list of mandatory requirements when making a purchasing decision. This is due to concerns about litigation, as well as commitments to diversity and social responsibility. The return on accessibility investment also has a much wider impact. Accessibility guidelines are closely tied to best practices for mainstream usability and increasing market share. Adhering to accessibility standards helps ensure that your product is robust and ready to respond to an ever growing range of consumer devices and platforms. Accessible products often get higher placement in search engine results because they provide more relevant information to crawlers. How is Accessibility Achieved? Like most other design and engineering considerations, accessibility should be considered throughout the product lifecycle. This includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the steps for planning, authoring, coding, testing, documenting, and marketing. The body of this document provides an overview of administrative considerations related to accessibility. Several appendices provide an extensive list of resources for team members in design, technical, quality assurance, marketing, and other positions. Vendor Guide to Web Accessibility for Higher Education Customers ITAG Vendor Group Table of Contents About the Big Ten Academic Alliance-ITAG Vendor Group Introduction Definitions Broad Benefits of Accessibility Points out how good accessibility practices are likely to have other positive benefits--e.g., increased compatibility with mobile devices. Higher Education Accessibility Overview Provides a background on the legal responsibilities faced by postsecondary institutions. Compatibility with Assistive Technologies Provides insight on what accessibility means from a technical perspective. Communicating with Postsecondary Institutions Lists common questions that institutions may ask you, and useful questions for you to ask them. Incorporating Accessibility into the Design Process Helps with considering accessibility in the early part of product development. Accessibility Remediation Discusses ways to incorporate and maintain accessible features within existing products. Promoting Accessibility to Clients Helps with communicating your accessibility accomplishments to the decision makers in procurement departments. Appendices Appendix: Laws and Regulations Augments the Higher Education Accessibility Overview chapter with more specific information about legal responsibilities. Appendix: Common Assistive Technologies Describes the assistive technologies most likely to be used in postsecondary institutions Appendix: Design Requirements Provides topics to consider during product development, expanding on the Incorporating Accessibility into the Design Process chapter. Appendix: Recommended Testing Approach Describes a strategy for effectively product accessibility testing. Appendix: Basic Remediation Lists several “quick wins” that implement important accessibility features with minimal effort. Appendix: Accessibility Documentation Provides guidance on writing accessible documentation so that your users can find and use your accessibility features. Appendix: Resources for Accessibility Implementation Points to resources for more detailed how-to information. Appendix: Comments from Big Ten Academic Alliance-ITAG Survey Appendix: Sample Procurement Statements and Settlement Agreements Provides case studies, examples of procurement statements that postsecondary institutions might use, and settlement agreements from accessibility lawsuits against several universities. Vendor Guide to Web Accessibility for Higher Education Customers ITAG Vendor Group About the Big Ten Academic Alliance-ITAG Vendor Group The Big 10 Academic Alliance (formerly known as the Committee on Institutional Cooperation) is a consortium of Big Ten member universities, plus the University of Chicago. For more than half a century, these world-class research institutions have advanced their academic missions, generated unique opportunities for students and faculty, and served the common good by sharing expertise, leveraging campus resources, and collaborating on innovative programs. The Big Ten Academic Alliance sponsors multiple committees and groups that address challenges common to its member universities and peer institutions. The Big Ten Academic Alliance Information Technology Accessibility Group (ITAG) was chartered by the CIOs of the member institutions in 2011 to identify common challenges and best practices related to the accessibility of information technology at individual Big Ten Academic Alliance member campuses. The group reports directly to the CIOs. ITAG’s goal includes identifying areas of potential collaborative opportunity. One such collaboration has been the Vendor Group, which seeks to create a common understanding of the accessibility requirements and considerations in IT purchasing processes. The Vendor Group goals are the following: ● Create a common understanding and language between vendors and university representatives, such as procurement staff and accessibility specialists ● Develop stronger relationships with vendors ● Create a cohesive initiative among institutions Towards these ends, we have developed this Guide. However, we see this as only the beginning of a dialogue, and we welcome your feedback. Please send comments or questions to Jane Vincent, University of Michigan, [email protected]. Big Ten Academic Alliance ITAG Vendor Group members: ● Christian Vinten-Johansen, Pennsylvania State University ● Brian Richwine, University of Indiana ● Joe Humbert, University of Indiana ● Stephanie Payne-Roberts, University of Maryland (co-chair) ● Kirk Corey, University of Iowa ● Jane Vincent, University of Michigan (co-chair) ● Erin Lauridsen, University of Michigan ● Scott Marshall, University of Minnesota ● Carrie Nelson, University of Wisconsin Vendor Guide to Web Accessibility for Higher Education Customers ITAG Vendor Group Introduction Most vendors have at least some awareness of the importance of accessibility as a design consideration. Perhaps a major client has informally inquired about whether your products are accessible, or has included compliance questions in an RFP. All postsecondary institutions are legally responsible for accessibility, and more than 30 have already been the target of accessibility-related lawsuits. Accessibility is also being added to institutions’ values statements. Consequently, accessibility is becoming an increasingly significant factor in purchasing decisions. We recognize that vendors may not be fully aware of the need for accessibility and the considerations involved, may be frustrated by varying definitions of what accessibility means, or may simply feel overwhelmed. The purpose of this document is to show the flip side: inclusion of accessibility as part of your business plan and corporate culture will have strong positive implications for both your company and your clients. These implications, as Accessibility News points out, may include “financial gains and cost savings...due to increased potential market share, search engine findability, and increased usability; reducing risk of legal action resulting in high legal expenses and negative image; [and] the public relations benefits of demonstrating social responsibility.” Audience The primary audience for this document is the administrative decision makers within software development companies. However, the Appendices contain extensive links that will be of interest to programmers, designers, legal consultants, and other contingents. In addition, the document will be relevant to any company or organization responsible for web accessibility, such as educational institutions, libraries, and governmental entities. Current Practices of Big Ten Academic Alliance-ITAG Member Institutions In 2014, the Big Ten Academic Alliance-ITAG Vendor Group surveyed Big Ten institutions about their accessibility policies and practices. At least 70% of respondents indicated that the following statements are true for their school: ● There is an established accessibility policy for software procurement, and some type of accessibility statement is provided in their RFPs. ● A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is requested from prospective vendors. ● Accessibility is a consideration when candidate products are being evaluated. ● Vendor inability to provide accessible products has affected purchasing decisions. ● WCAG 2.0 is used as an accessibility standard, and they also perform functional testing of candidate products. Vendor Precedents Some forward-thinking companies have been joining our postsecondary institutions to address