Accessible & Universal Design

ODS is dedicated to the proposition that all environs are usable by everyone, including persons with disabilities, and accessible design is the minimum standard by which a fully inclusive universally designed environment may be achieved. The following is an ODS/Technology Committee initiative to ensure procurement documentation of Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) that conforms/non-conforms to the U.S. Access Board Section 508 Standards for access by persons with disabilities. Following this procedure will help APSU meet ADA and Section 504 requirements for access by persons with disabilities through indentifying accessible and non-accessible EIT during the procurement process.

The Accessible Procurement Process and Voluntary Product Accessibility Template Information

Accessibility procurement guidelines Follow the U.S. Access Board Section 508 Standards for Electronic and Information Technology (EIT).

Section 508 defines EIT as "information technology (IT) and any equipment or interconnected system or subsystem of equipment, that is used in the creation, conversion, or duplication of data or information." EIT includes:

• telecommunication products, such as telephones;
• information kiosks;
• transaction machines;
• World Wide Web sites;
• Software and Operating Systems
• Computers
• multimedia (including videotapes); and
• office equipment, such as copiers and fax machines.

The Process:

The VPAT request is to ensure collection of documentation for Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) that conforms/non-conforms to the U.S. Access Board Section 508 Standards for access by persons with disabilities. Following this procedure will help APSU meet legal requirements for EIT access by persons with disabilities through indentifying accessible and non-accessible EIT.  *Caveat – if a choice exists between two items that do the same thing and one is accessible to persons with disabilities and the other is not, APSU should purchase the accessible product.

1)      Determine if the vendor you are planning on purchasing from has a VPAT for their product on their website and include the link with your proposal. Here is a link to some vendor VPAT’s online, http://www.evengrounds.com/resources/vpat-directory

2)      If the vendor does not have a VPAT online, contact the vendor and ask for one. Here is a link to a downloadable VPAT if the vendor needs a form and ask that they complete the form following the guidelines at the beginning of the form, http://www.itic.org:8080/dotAsset/5644ecd2-5024-417f-bc23-a52650f47ef8.doc

3)      IF items to be purchased as part of your project cannot be certified as VPAT compliant, please provide an explanation for each non-compliant item.  Example: MRI machine is a single source item that is one of a kind

4)      If you have any questions or need help with the VPAT request, please contact Philip Voorhees at the office of Disability Services 931-221-6230 or voorheesp@apsu.edu

For further information on VPAT and the The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) go to, http://www.itic.org/