Inclusion and Procurement

Mada Center 2011

Context

• Guidelines• Law• Good Practice – UK– Europe

The Key impact of ICT on People with a Disability

• Soft Measures– Self esteem– Communication– Aspirations

• Hard Measures– Employment– Education

Checklist

An idea of the key accessibility factors which we need to outline throughout the process, covering:• Hardware such as PC• Hardware such as laptop computers• Hardware such as teaching and learning tools• Managed services• Operating system and network configuration• Web Presence• Software/Cloud Solutions• Learning Platforms• Assistive technology software and hardware• Building design and furniture

Hardware

• Attaching peripherals• Compatibility with access

software• Legacy connections• Screen size• Laptop weight, battery

life, ease of opening

Teaching and Learning Technology

• Height adjustable interactive whiteboards

• Alternative access methods for whiteboards

• Slates• Local images of

whiteboard• Input method on pupil

voting systems

Managed Services

• Will local specialist technician knowledge be lost?• What about instant replacement agreements and their

impact on People with disabilities• Can users of bespoke ICT systems access network

facilities• Access to control panel for accessibility features• Accessibility settings available regardless of log on

location• Can non standard access equipment be installed without

long delays

Operating system, software & learning platform

• What accessibility options are available in the operating system?

• What third party access software is available?• Log on for non keyboard users• What about the application and learning

software?• Will the learning platform chosen be accessible

in terms of both framework and content ?

Assistive Technology Considerations

• Can AT solutions be delivered over the network• Is licensing appropriate?• Will AT software keep up with operating system and

application software updates?• Will those requiring special access use their own

machines or will all computers be made accessible?• Funding for AT• Hardware – readily available and with necessary

drivers installed

Building Design and Furniture

• Power sockets• Height adjustable

furniture• Positioning of

computer equipment• Lighting and windows• Space – for equipment

and manoeuvring

Ensuring the procurement of DDA compliant IT solutions

What is a compliant IT solution?

• Answer 1: No idea– How do you measure?– How do you test for it?– Does an IT supplier understand it?

• Answer 2: Everything– All IT solutions are compliant until…– They create disadvantage for someone with a disability

which is then not addressed and…– That person successfully complains about you

What’s a better question to ask?

• Is your IT solution accessible to people with disabilities?

Specific and open• What accessibility standards does your IT solution meet?

Too ambiguous

Standards to look out for• World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Content

Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

• RNIB “See it right”

• IBM Software Accessibility Guidelines

• Irish NDA Accessibility Guidelines

• ISO 16071 Guidance On Software Accessibility

• Section 508 VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template)

Do they walk the talk?

Proof of the pudding and all that

Don’t take their word for it

• Has their solution been tested by people with disabilities?

• How will they involve disabled people in the development of the solution?

• Do they have reference sites?

• Will they let you test the solution yourself?

So they don’t make the grade

Are they out of the running?

Dealing with non-compliance

• What plans do they have to meet accessibility standards?

• Will they commit to improvements and timeframe in the contract?

• Is there an acceptable interim workaround or mitigation?

• What priority do you give accessibility compliance in the Invitation to Tender?

Players who won’t play ball

Dealing with common challenges

Challenges from suppliers

• No one else is asking for it

• We’re an international company and we can’t comply with every national law

• We have made a corporate decision to apply to a single international standard

• We’re Section 508 compliant so that’s ok

• We’ll do it, but it’s going to cost you

Challenges from purchasers

• We don’t have any disabled members of staff

• Disabled people aren’t capable of doing this job anyway

• Disabled customers have never complained before

• It does what we want at a price we’re happy with but it isn’t accessible. We’ll take the risk.

A recipe for success

4 simple questions

Do not purchase Ok to purchase

Doesit meet recognised

standards?

Doesit pass your

testing?

Willthey commit to

compliance?

Is there anacceptable interim

position?

Yes No

No

NoYes Yes

NoYes

Things to remember

• Explicitly state the need for compliance with accessibility standards in your ITT documents

• Make suppliers aware that scoring and selection will include their response to accessibility

• Perform due diligence on responses

• Get suppliers to commit in the contract to remediation and future compliance

• Have the confidence to take your business elsewhere if they say “no”

One last thing to remember…

There is no such thing as acompliant IT solution

It’s all about accessibility.

Q&A