Accessible Procurement Process

Vendor-provided digital content, applications, and other technologies used at U-M are required to meet digital accessibility standards and provide equitable access for people with disabilities.

When purchasing or adopting vendor-provided technology, determine the accessibility risk of the product, then follow the process below.

High Risk

Before Purchase or Before Contract is Signed

  1. Communicate with the vendor about university requirements for vendors.
  2. Request compliance documentation from the vendor as the language used above specifies. Send them a copy of the supplier questionnaire.
  3. Evaluate the compliance documentation that the vendor submits.
  4. Request an accessibility review of the product.
  5. Send the review report that the Accessibility Team provides you to the vendor.
    1. Ask the vendor to address the issues found in the review.
    2. Negotiate with vendor agreements and timelines to remediate the product.
    3. Include provisos in the contract outlining any agreements and timelines to remediating the product negotiated with the vendor.

After Purchase or After Contract is Signed

  1. Monitor vendor compliance to the agreements stipulated in the contract regarding accessibility changes.
  2. When the product becomes available, make sure that the people/teams supporting it are aware of any issues found during the review and any commitments on the part of the vendor.
  3. File information on adoption (product info, risk assessment score, vendor compliance documentation, product review results, contract provisos).

Medium Risk

Before Purchase or Before Contract is Signed

  1. Communicate with the vendor about university requirements for vendors.
  2. Request compliance documentation from the vendor as the language used above specifies.
  3. Evaluate the compliance documentation that the vendor submits.
  4. Request an accessibility review of the product.
  5. Send the review report that the Accessibility Team provides you to the vendor.
    1. Ask the vendor to address the issues found in the review.
    2. Consider negotiating with vendor agreements and timelines to remediate the product.
    3. Consider including provisos in the contract outlining any agreements and timelines to remediating the product negotiated with the vendor.

After Purchase or After Contract is Signed

  1. Monitor vendor compliance to the agreements stipulated in the contract regarding accessibility changes.
  2. File information on adoption (product info, risk assessment score, vendor compliance documentation, product review results, contract provisos).

Low Risk

  1. Prior to purchase, communicate with vendors about university requirements for vendors.
  2. After purchase, file information on adoption (product info, risk assessment score).