Summary
To ensure that all digital tools and platforms used at our institution are fully accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities, we have developed this Accessibility Review Form. Vendors must complete this form as part of our procurement and review process for new software products.
Why This Form Is Important
Federal accessibility regulations such as Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) require that all digital content and tools be accessible. Additionally, we aim to uphold WCAG 2.2 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) to provide equitable access for all users.
Collecting accessibility information early in the review process helps us make informed decisions and avoid delays, ensuring that any potential barriers are identified and addressed proactively.
What Vendors Need to Provide
When completing the form, vendors should include the name of their company and product, along with the name of any internal employee requesting the product, if applicable. A key component of the submission is the inclusion of accessibility documentation—specifically, a current VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) and HECVAT (Higher Education Community Vendor Assessment Toolkit). If these documents are not yet available, please indicate this in the form and provide an estimated timeline.
To support our internal evaluation, vendors should provide demo access to the product, such as a test account or sandbox environment. We also ask vendors to indicate whether they are willing to conduct a live demonstration showing how the product can be navigated using keyboard alone, as this is essential for many users with mobility impairments.
Each submission should include contact information for the person most familiar with the product’s accessibility—ideally someone who worked on the VPAT or similar evaluations. Vendors should also describe any built-in accessibility settings the product offers, confirm whether the product can be used by keyboard alone, and share a public link to their accessibility roadmap, if available.
Next Steps
Once submitted, our accessibility team will review the information and may follow up with questions or a request for a live demonstration. This review is an essential step before the software can be approved for use across the institution.
Questions?
If you have any questions about this form or need assistance, please contact our accessibility team at accessibleIT@shoreline.edu.