EIR Procurement and Accessibility Requirements
Introduction
When our institution purchases new technology, it must be accessible to everyone—including people with disabilities. This is a legal requirement under federal and state law.
This page provides information for staff and faculty about the rules that apply when acquiring technology and how to ensure compliance.
Legal Requirements
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Under Title II of the ADA, public entities must ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to programs, services, and activities—including those that use technology. Title II requires that web and mobile applications conform to WCAG 2.1 AA to ensure access by individuals with disabilities.
Texas Administrative Code Chapter 213
TAC 213 sets accessibility standards for state agencies and institutions of higher education in Texas. It requires compliance with technical standards similar to those in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Responsibilities of Faculty and Staff
Faculty and staff involved in purchasing technology are responsible for ensuring that products and services meet accessibility standards. This includes:
- Considering accessibility early in the procurement process
- Requesting accessibility documentation (such as a VPAT) from vendors
- Consulting with the EIRAC during the assessment process
By taking these steps, we help ensure equal access for all users, including individuals with disabilities.
Procurement Process Overview
Texas State's procurement process for IT products includes an assessment of accessibliity and security features of products. If you are looking to procure technology, please submit an IT Goods and Services request to IT Business services to kick of the process.
Exceptions
TAC 213.37 allows exceptions when making a product accessible is not possible due to technical limitations, a lack of accessible alternatives, or when it would impose an undue burden. All exceptions must be documented and justified.
Resources and Tools
Texas Administrative Code 213 requires us to review Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACRs) provided by vendors to verify compliance with state and federal accessibility standards. The most common form of ACR is a voluntary product accessibility template (VPAT).
Many vendors already have a VPAT for review, but if they do not have one, we have linked the most recent version below.
Help and Contact Information
If you need assistance or have any questions regarding EIR procurement, please contact the EIRAC.