Digital Technology Accessibility in Contracts

Digital technology accessibility should be specifically addressed in technology contracts to ensure that products and services meet accessibility requirements.

More Information

 Did you know that:

• all "services" provided to the university, including web-based or cloud applications, require that a contract be executed between the supplier and the university?
• the University's Strategic Procurement area maintains standard contract templates for acquisitions?
• the Office of University Counsel must approve any non-standard contract before the University signs it?
• when you click "agree" when downloading or installing an "app" you are "signing" a contract (click agreement)?
• any "click agreement" for any product or service related to a university activity is a "contract" and requires University Counsel approval?

When working with IT contractors:

• Share UMS Standard IT Accessibility Contract terms with the supplier/vendor.
• If possible, use a standard UMS contract template that includes standard IT Accessibility (and data security if applicable) language.
• If using the supplier/vendor's contract template, our Standard IT Accessibility Contract terms must be added.
• If the supplier/vendor requests any changes to our Standard IT Accessibility Contract Inclusion or a university standard contract, contact the Office of University Counsel
• If the contract includes website or software development or hosting the contractor must agree in the contract that payment for services is contingent on the contractor providing written results of accessibility testing (preferably in the form of a completed WCAG VPAT) showing that the website conforms to the current University digital accessibility standard (currently WCAG 2.1 Level AA).

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