ITAG - Accessibility Prioritization Guide

ITAG - Accessibility Prioritization Guide

ITAG—Accessibility Prioritization Guide

The following tool is provided as an aid in determining the priority of a particular accessibility project. Answers to the following questions will provide a suggested priority level of higher, medium, or lower. The questions take into account various considerations that come into play in determining where to focus resources and effort first.

The Big Ten Academic Alliance gives thanks to the University of California system for generous use of the initial version and inspiration for this tool.

Is the project a new or existing activity?
: Purchase; IT / communications project; website, system, application.
: Purchase; IT / communications project; website, system, application.
: Purchase; IT / communications project; website, system, application.
Is the project an update or revision?
Contract revision; website / system upgrade; migration to new service.
Contract revision, website / system upgrade.
No planned changes.
Who is the audience?
: Approximate range: 1000 + people; Also, general public and/or Systemwide High priority user groups (e.g., students, patients).
: Approximate range: 50 - 1000 people; Internal to a department, function/group, location.
: Approximate range: 1 – 50 people; Internal to a department, function/group, location known, unique audience.
What is the use requirement?
: Individuals must utilize the IT / communications project deliverable, website, system, or application as a primary mode of communication, method of making use of university goods and services, or performing key job functions.
: The IT / communications project deliverable, website, system or application is advertised or otherwise featured in a way that its use is highly desirable.
: Use of the IT / communications project deliverable, website, system, or application is optional but this product or service is the most efficient or popular choice.
: Use of the IT / communications project deliverable, website, system, or application is entirely optional and there are equivalent choices available.
What is the implementation timeframe?
: Higher and Medium priority projects in this case may require a phased approach to achieving accessibility.
Do vendors currently supply an accessible alternative product?
(choose the vendor that offers an accessible solution).
(look into acceptable alternative solutions or a phased approach, and document the decision).
Are you creating and/or distributing pdfs?
: They are about to be created and posted on a website; are already posted and accessed by a lot of people or the public (consider html instead); or are distributed to a broad audience.
: They won’t be posted on a website; or they will be distributed to a known, unique audience
: They have been posted for a long time (remediation may be at a different priority); or are only accessed by a known, unique audience.
Has someone submitted a request for accommodation regarding this product or project?
(the number of requests may warrant more attention).

Lower Priority

Medium / Phased Priority

Higher Priority

Projects and procurements that are rated as a lower priority by this tool still present some institutional risk and a potential for negative impact for inclusion of individuals with disabilities.

Due to the audience and scope of use, these projects and procurements represent a serious risk footprint and potential negative impact for the inclusion of people with disabilities. That could prevent them from inclusively and independently making use of the tools and services provided by a higher education institution. Unfortunately, a formal and proactive approach to accessibility was either not possible or not considered. It may be necessary to implement a plan for providing Equally Effective Alternate Access and to develop a remediation roadmap and timeline for correcting accessibility flaws.

Due to the audience and scope of use, Higher Priority projects and procurements represent a severe or critical risk footprint and great potential negative impact for the inclusion of individuals with disabilities and their ability to make use of the goods and services provided by a higher education institution. Accessibility issues with High Priority projects and procurements will negatively impact individuals with disabilities and could prevent them from inclusively taking part in the goods and services of your organization. It is very important that the accessibility of High Priority projects and procurements be approached in a proactive manner, with the inclusion of formal accessibility requirements and evaluation.

Important Next Steps

  • Be aware that any accessibility flaws in the product or service may present a barrier to access and inclusion if someone with a disability needs to use the product or service in the future.
  • For those accessibility flaws:
    • Strongly consider devising a plan for an appropriate equally effective method of alternative access. Ensure that communicating the existence and nature of the alternative access plan is also part of that.
    • An appropriate equally effective method of alternative access will be equally effective (provide equal opportunity or outcome), and will be of a substantially equivalent ease of use (should not be more difficult or require a great deal more time to perform).
    • For the plan, focus on the desired outcome, timeliness, and independent performance, rather than using a given tool or method.
  • Establish a timeline for when the accessibility flaws in the product or service will be corrected.
    • If this is a vended product, contact the vendor requesting details of their plans for correcting the accessibility flaws in their product and the expected timeline. Preserve all messages and notes related to your accessibility conversations with the vendor.
  • Copy the contents of the For Your Records section of these results (see below) into your accessibility documentation for this project. This will make revisiting these results easier in the future.
  • Monitor for change surrounding the product, service, or its use. Reassess with this tool if there is change or on an annual basis. Record the results from the reassessment in your accessibility documentation for this project.
  • Talk with a digital accessibility subject matter expert to determine the severity and potential impact of any accessibility flaws in the project or service. Work with them to establish a cadence for reassessing this project, going forward.
  • For those accessibility flaws:
    • Strongly consider devising a plan for an appropriate equally effective method of alternative access. Ensure that communicating the existence and nature of the alternative access plan is also part of that.
    • An appropriate equally effective method of alternative access will be equally effective (provide equal opportunity or outcome), and will be of a substantially equivalent ease of use (should not be more difficult or require a great deal more time to perform).
    • For the plan, focus on the desired outcome, timeliness, and independent performance, rather than using a given tool or method.
  • Establish a timeline for when the accessibility flaws in the product or service will be corrected.
    • If this is a vended product, contact the vendor requesting details of their plans for correcting the accessibility flaws in their product and the expected timeline. Preserve all messages and notes related to your accessibility conversations with the vendor.
  • Copy the contents of the For Your Records section of these results (see below) into your accessibility documentation for this project. This will make revisiting these results easier in the future.
  • Monitor for change surrounding the product, service, or its use. Reassess with this tool if there is change or on an annual basis. Record the results from the reassessment in your accessibility documentation for this project.
  • Ensure that accessibility requirements are included formally in the project charter, development plan, or procurement documents—including contractual language—per your organization’s Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) accessibility policy and/or federal and state law.
  • Consult with a digital accessibility subject matter expert to determine best approaches for the inclusion of accessibility requirements in the project and to create an ongoing evaluation plan and cadence.
  • For those accessibility flaws:
    • Create a plan for an appropriate equally effective method of alternative access. Ensure that communicating the existence and nature of the alternative access plan is also part of that.
    • An appropriate equally effective method of alternative access will be equally effective (provide equal opportunity or outcome), and will be of a substantially equivalent ease of use (should not be more difficult or require a great deal more time to perform).
    • For the plan, focus on the desired outcome, timeliness, and independent performance, rather than using a given tool or method.
  • Establish a timeline for when the accessibility flaws in the product or service will be corrected.
    • If this is a vended product, contact the vendor requesting details of their plans for correcting the accessibility flaws in their product and the expected timeline. Preserve all messages and notes related to your accessibility conversations with the vendor.
  • Copy the contents of the For Your Records section of these results (see below) into your accessibility documentation for this project. This will make revisiting these results easier in the future.
  • Monitor for change surrounding the product, service, or its use. Reassess with this tool if there is change or on an annual basis. Record the results from the reassessment in your accessibility documentation for this project.

Special Considerations

Some user groups, such students, patients, retirees, and donors require additional consideration regarding the impact of any access barriers. If the scope of use involves any of these user groups, discuss any additional requirements with a digital accessibility subject matter expert.

More Information

For information about accessibility, see the ITAG purchasing guidelines. For assistance, contact your campus accessibility expert.

For Your Records

Please copy and retain the following information for your records. You may need to reference it later in the procurement process.

Your responses generated a priority of: Lower Medium / Phased High

Your Responses