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Re: Web accessibility audit RFP resources

for

From: Bossley, Peter A.
Date: Dec 20, 2016 8:34PM

For what it is worth, I agree with Jared. Having an expert who knows how these things work can help you through the process greatly.

Peter Bossley
Director, Digital Accessibility Center
ADA Coordinator's Office | Office of University Compliance and Integrity
Student Life Disability Services
The Ohio State University
098 Baker Hall, 113 W. 12th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210
614-292-1760 Office
<EMAIL REMOVED> accessibility.osu.edu




-----Original Message-----
From: WebAIM-Forum [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Jared Smith
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2016 7:49 PM
To: WebAIM Discussion List < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Web accessibility audit RFP resources

My primary recommendation is to be very flexible in what you're asking for. I see RFPs all the time that prescribe a specific methodology, depth of evaluation, etc. that would not be most beneficial for them.
If at all possible, I'd recommend working with a web accessibility consultancy BEFORE issuing the RFP to get a sense as to what is necessary, how in-depth the audit should be, and whether an audit is even the best use of your resources - knowing how many issues your site has does little good if you do not have the technical expertise and training to address those issues.

WebAIM rarely replies to RFPs because they typically do not allow for us to implement our proven methodology that is more effective in educating and empowering them to build and maintain accessibility over time.

The RFP model for accessibility audits is generally broken - institutions usually don't know what they really need until they get consultation (and an audit alone or as a first step is rarely sufficient), yet they always seem to require specific and fully-defined RFPs in order to get consultation.

Jared


On Tue, Dec 20, 2016 at 5:20 PM, Mary Heid < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:
> Good afternoon,
>
> Please forgive the cross-posts. I need to write an RFP for a web accessibility audit.
>
> I'm looking to hear from other schools who have recently written or issued an RFP for a web accessibility audit. Specifically, if you have an RFP template or sample that you can share with me for reference, please do so on- or off-list at your very earliest convenience.
>
> Additionally, I'm interested to know of any established organizations that audit web content and functionality with whom you have had experience. This is a call for references; not a call for solicitations.
>
> Thank you.
>
> Mary Heid
> System Administrator, Enrollment Services Coordinator, Assistive
> Technology University of Nevada, Reno
> (775) 682-8038
> http://www.unr.edu/general-information/accessibility
>
> > > archives at http://webaim.org/discussion/archives
>