Developing / Using Web Applications and Purchasing Software from a Vendor

Purchasing Software

Please contact CTS prior to purchasing any software. You must also request a VPAT from the vendor.  A VPAT is a document created by the vendor that details how the software or product meets accessibility standards as outlined by Section 508 Standards.

State  University of New York System

SUNY Policy states that all software/hardware should be accessible and be used in the best accessible manner.

Web2 Access has been developed as a product of the Online Accessibility SUNY FACT2 task group who was charged with identifying competencies and skill sets related to online accessibility and provide professional development opportunities for SUNY, along with developing and recommending guidelines for software and educational resources (OERs, Web tools, publisher content, etc.) that may be purchased or recommended by the campus to ensure accessibility to meet Section 508 compliance.

VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template)
Ask publishers/software vendors to provide (or complete and provide) a VPAT.  Verify the version of software and date when template was completed. Please provide VPAT to the Accessibility Committee for review.

Dynamic JavaScript and Third Party Software Standards

All Software, Javascript plugins and websites must be built in an accessible manner. The Department of Education considers accessibility to information a priority.The Department has established Requirements for Accessible Electronic and Information Technology (E&IT) Design in order to support its obligations, under Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 794 and 794d.

Questions?

Contact The Accessibility Committee.

Accessible Application Methods

Web sites and applications use various tags to ensure all content is accessible to everyone. If you follow all the how to guides  in this section you  would cover most of these solutions. Web applications and widgets have a few extra issues you would not normally see and that is the “focus of the user” as noted on the Keyboard Accessibility page, must follow the same logical order for everyone using the application.

ARIA: Accessible Rich Internet Applications

WAI-ARIA, the Accessible Rich Internet Applications Suite, defines a way to make Web content and Web applications more accessible to people with disabilities. It especially helps with dynamic content and advanced user interface controls developed with Ajax, HTML, JavaScript, and related technologies. 

Currently certain functionality used in Web sites is not available to some users with disabilities, especially people who rely on screen readers and people who cannot use a mouse. WAI-ARIA addresses these accessibility challenges, for example, by defining new ways for functionality to be provided to assistive technology. With WAI-ARIA, developers can make advanced Web applications accessible and usable to people with disabilities.

Learn more about WAI-ARIA for Application development 

Website and Web Application Notes

All Purchase College websites are checked for accessibility against W3C AA standards.