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Re: Is the accessibility of a 3rd party that represent me still my concern?

for

From: Kline, Jeff
Date: Mar 29, 2016 8:20AM

Geri,

For Texas state agencies and institutions of higher education, third party websites used to conduct official business (...developed, procured, or used...)by employees or the public , Texas statutes and rules on Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) accessibility are applicable.

When an EIR is deemed out of compliance with Texas regulations on EIR accessibility, the institution is required to file an exception, approved by its Executive Director, Chancellor, President, etc. The approved exception is really an acceptance of risk associated with the use of inaccessible EIR, but does not protect the agency / institution from legal issues outside of the Texas Accessibility regulations purview. (ADA, etc.)



Jeff Kline
Program Director
Statewide EIR Accessibility
Texas Department of Information Resources
Phone 512.463.3248
Mobile 512.426.9779



-----Original Message-----
From: Druckman,Geri [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ]
Sent: Monday, March 28, 2016 3:21 PM
To: WebAIM Discussion List < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
Subject: [WebAIM] Is the accessibility of a 3rd party that represent me still my concern?

Hi all,

Here's a dilema I have, and I seek your advice hoping any of you have had to deal with a similar situation before.
The institution I work for is in negotiations over a contract with a vendor that will supply us with a web based application solution. This will NOT be hosted on our servers in any way, it is 100% on the vendors side, and our clients will receive an email with a link, directing them to the vendors site, where they will need to interact with said application.

At the moment to vendor claims not to be section 508 / WCAG compliant and is seeking an exemption in the contract.

My dilemma is, although we have nothing to do with the development or hosting of said application, we are still sending our clients over to that site to interact with it. Is it still within my institutions responsibility to make sure that this vendor is accessible, or is this all on them?

Any information is greatly appreciated.

Geri Druckman

(cross post with wai-ig)
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