When working with vendors, UIS faculty and staff should try to keep a couple of things in mind in terms of digital accessibility.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA:

• WCAG 2.2 is a set of guidelines developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities. Level AA is the middle tier of conformance, addressing the most common barriers for users with disabilities. All digital content, software, and apps must be WCAG 2.2 compliant by April 2026.
• Key Principles:
  • Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presented in ways that users can perceive. This includes providing text alternatives for non-text content, captions for multimedia, and adaptable content.
  • Operable: User interface components and navigation must be operable. This means making all functionality available from a keyboard, providing enough time for users to read and use content, and avoiding content that causes seizures.
  • Understandable: Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable. This involves making text readable and predictable, and helping users avoid and correct mistakes.
  • Robust: Content must be robust enough to be reliably interpreted by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies. This includes using compatible code and ensuring that content remains accessible as technologies evolve

Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT)

• Purpose: The Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is a document that vendors use to describe how their products meet accessibility standards, such as WCAG 2.2 and Section 508.
• Components:
  • Product Description: An overview of the product or service being evaluated.
  • Accessibility Standards: Identification of the standards used for evaluation (e.g., WCAG 2.2, Section 508).
  • Compliance Level: Statements indicating whether the product fully supports, partially supports, or does not support the criteria, along with explanations.
• Usage: University employees should request a VPAT from vendors to assess the accessibility of their products. This helps ensure that the products meet the necessary accessibility requirements and provides a basis for addressing any gaps.

By ensuring compliance with WCAG 2.2 Level AA and thoroughly reviewing VPATs, university employees can better evaluate and select accessible digital tools and services.

For assistance with digital accessibility issues during the purchasing process, please contact the Office of Digital Accessibility.