Skip to content
Accessibility at the UW

Category: Procurement

Digital Accessibility Procedures for Procurement

Post categories: Procurement

The University of Washington is continuing to build a growing collection of procedures that support the Digital Accessibility Policy (APS 9.0) and the Minimum Digital Accessibility Technical Standard. Together, these procedures help turn UW’s accessibility commitments into practical, day-to-day actions across the University. In this third post in our procedures series, we’re exploring how UW incorporates accessibility into the purchase and renewal of digital products and services.

Digital accessibility requirements apply to a wide range of purchases, including software, web applications, cloud services, mobile apps, digital documents, and audio or video content. The goal is to help UW acquire products that meet the University’s Minimum Digital Accessibility Technical Standard, which adopts the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA.
Before purchasing or renewing a web application, mobile app, or other digital product, departments are required to complete a Digital Product Accessibility Review. This review helps identify barriers, assess a product’s conformance with UW requirements, and determine whether further evaluation or remediation is needed.

The review process is supported by the Procedure for Exceptions to the Minimum Digital Accessibility Technical Standard for Web Apps and Mobile Apps. This procedure provides a structured process for evaluating situations where a product cannot fully meet accessibility requirements. It establishes review, documentation, accountability, and approval measures while ensuring alternative access and supporting ongoing improvements over time.

Finally, accessibility requirements are incorporated into agreements and contracts through the University’s Digital Accessibility Rider and related contract language. This helps set clear expectations and reinforces the shared responsibility of creating accessible digital experiences.

By incorporating accessibility into procurement and renewal processes, UW can identify and address barriers earlier, make more informed purchasing decisions, reduce future remediation efforts, and help ensure that the digital tools used across the UW are accessible to everyone. As the University’s digital accessibility framework continues to evolve, a complementary procedure, Acquisition Procedure for Accessible Low-Cost IT, is also planned.

New Procurement Standards: What You Need to Know 

Post categories: Accessibility Procurement

In support of the University of Washington’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion, we want to inform you of the University’s outreach to technology vendors, suppliers, and contractors regarding digital accessibility requirements and our institutional compliance plans.
Recent regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services require that all public institutions, including universities, achieve compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards by April 24, 2026. While these new regulations apply directly to the University, they also include the digital tools and services we use through third-party vendors. This means that the University is only able to continue using products from vendors who align with these accessibility standards.
On February 18, 2025, Andreas Bohman, Vice President & CIO of UW Information Technology, sent an email to all UW vendors, suppliers, and contractors, thanking them for their ongoing partnership in ensuring the UW is compliant with federal digital accessibility requirements. The full text of the ADA Digital Accessibility letter is available on the Procurement Services website, as is an FAQ on Digital Accessibility.
To meet these expectations, UW has asked all vendors to prepare an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) for each product or service by July 1, 2025. If a product has accessibility gaps, vendors are also expected to provide an accessibility roadmap.

Why this matters to you

If your department uses any third-party tools, platforms, or services in teaching, research, administration, or student support, please ensure that these vendors are aware of UW’s accessibility requirements. This will help avoid potential disruptions in service as we align with federal mandates.

Updates to Resources

Procurement Services, UW-IT Accessible Technology Services, and UW Office of the ADA Coordinator have collaborated to update three key resources related to accessibility in procurement so they all reflect the new ADA requirements: