Digital accessibility reviews help purchasers assess the likelihood that a product or service will conform with U-M’s digital accessibility requirements prior to purchase, contract renewal, or adoption.
Overview
For all units and use cases, the process of evaluating a supplier and product or service for digital accessibility follows the same basic steps, based on calculated accessibility risk.
Lower Accessibility Risk Review Procedure
- Collect accessibility compliance documentation from the supplier and review it to understand the current accessibility status of the product or service. If documentation is inadequate, follow up with the supplier for additional information.
- Include digital accessibility language in the agreement with the supplier. (Note: to access the linked Google document, log in with your @umich.edu email.)
- Language can be modified to reflect supplier commitments to digital accessibility improvements, including timelines and method for updating U-M on progress.
- If the supplier requests significant revisions to the language, contact the Disability Equity Office for guidance.
- Inform users about how to report accessibility barriers. If a barrier is reported, work with the supplier to resolve it in a timely manner.
- Engage in supplier management to maintain digital accessibility of the product or service.
Assumption of Responsibility: Units are ultimately responsible for the digital accessibility of the products and services they purchase and implement. If you choose to purchase a product or service with known accessibility issues, you will be responsible for working with the supplier to address these issues and responsible for resolving barriers to product or service use that may arise. In cases where a product or service is not fully accessible and/or where the supplier does not demonstrate willingness or ability to make timely improvements to digital accessibility, you should explore alternative products or services.
Higher Accessibility Risk Review Procedure
If you are working with or in U-M Procurement Services to purchase or renew a higher accessibility risk product or service, submit a Digital Accessibility Review for Procurement Request to the Disability Equity Office.
If you are working with or in U-M Information Technology Services (ITS) to purchase or renew a higher accessibility risk product or service, submit an ITS Accessibility Review Request.
DISCLAIMER: Digital accessibility reviews by U-M offices including the Disability Equity Office (DEO) do not guarantee that a product or service fully conforms to digital accessibility requirements. Supplier documentation may be inaccurate or incomplete, and samples or demonstrations provided may not reflect typical use or deliverables. Technical evaluations are limited to the areas and workflows reviewed, and are not comprehensive. Reviews represent accessibility at a specific point in time, and updates or changes to a product or service may introduce new barriers and affect conformance.