Procuring IT Products and Services

IT accessibility is the set of strategies, guidelines, and resources that make digital resources accessible to everyone. It involves developing policies and implementing processes to ensure the functional use of these resources by people of all abilities in an independent manner.

Accessible digital resources

Ensuring the procurement of accessible digital resources is the first step to enabling everyone—including those with disabilities—to perceive, understand, navigate and interact with technology.

• Considering accessibility first 
• Procurement tips
• The VPAT® and vendor resources
• Accessibility in Texas A&M procurement
• Accessibility exception requests
• The ACE Tool (login required)
• Procurement FAQs

Basis in law

All EIR developed, procured, or changed by an institution of higher education shall comply with Texas Administrative Code accessibility requirements (specifically 1 TAC §206 and 1 TAC §213). These Texas requirements reference standards contained within Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and subsequently require conformance with 1) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA inclusive of Level A and 2) Functional Performance Criteria contained within. Exceptions can be approved by the president or chancellor of an institution of higher education, or exemptions provided by Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) can be utilized pursuant to 1 Texas Administrative Code §213.37.

Effective April 26, 2024, the Final Rule of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that all web-based digital resources comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA criteria to include websites as well as web and mobile applications. This includes our Learning Management System and its content, social media applications and content, and digital library resources. These requirements will supercede the Texas requirements for web-based digital resources. Texas A&M University is committed to adhering to WCAG 2.1 moving forward in order to be fully compliant with new federal standards. 

Currently, Texas A&M Standard Administrative Procedure 29.01.04.M0.02 supports state and federal laws that govern EIR which include, but are not limited to:

• Software applications and operating systems
• Websites, including public-facing and intranet
• Telecommunications products
• Video and Multimedia products
• Hardware, including desktop computers, laptops, and closed products such as copiers, printers, kiosks, digital signage, etc.
• Functional performance criteria described in 1 TAC §213.35
• Information, documentation, and support described in 1 TAC §213.36
• Emerging technologies

See What's New in WCAG 2.1 to see how standards have changed from the WCAG 2.0 version. For more information about these and upcoming modifications, see the WCAG 2 FAQ.