Clemson Online: Where Tech and Teaching Meet

Follow Up Friday: Accessibility in Procurement

Image of people gathered around a map of the world interposed with impactful words such as "diversity" and "equality."

As digital accessibility continues to gain global importance, organizations are increasingly weaving accessibility considerations into their procurement processes. This shift reflects growing recognition of how inaccessible tools can affect productivity, inclusion, and legal compliance. Here’s a quick overview of what’s happening in this space:

Why Accessibility Matters in Procurement

Accessibility is no longer just a “nice-to-have” for products and services—it’s a necessity. Organizations purchasing digital tools are facing mounting pressure to ensure these tools are usable by everyone, including people with disabilities. This approach not only supports inclusion but also mitigates risks like legal non-compliance and reputational harm.

For example, recent updates to U.S. regulations, such as the upcoming DOJ Title II guidelines and HHS mandates under Section 504, underscore the importance of aligning procurement decisions with accessibility standards like WCAG 2.1 AA. Globally, policies like the EU Accessibility Act are setting similar benchmarks for accessibility compliance.

Procurement Trends in Accessibility

Organizations are adopting proactive strategies to meet these requirements:

  1. Vendor Accessibility Documentation: Buyers increasingly request Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs) as part of procurement. Updated VPATs help evaluate whether a product meets accessibility standards.
  2. Accessibility Testing: Many companies now require regular testing to verify compliance, ensuring that accessibility is a priority throughout the product lifecycle.
  3. Scorecards with Accessibility Metrics: Procurement teams are incorporating accessibility into vendor evaluations, assigning weight to inclusivity as part of overall decision-making.

Looking Ahead

With deadlines for compliance looming in sectors like public education, healthcare, and government, accessibility-first procurement is expected to expand further. This momentum will likely drive demand for accessible technologies and tools, spurring innovation and accountability among vendors.

For instructors and course designers, this means choosing accessible platforms, tools, and resources has never been more critical. By prioritizing accessibility in procurement, educators can create inclusive learning environments that support all students, regardless of their abilities.

Upcoming Events

Workshop Wednesday: Introduction to Adobe Premiere Pro Basics

Wednesday, January 29, 1:30-2:30pm

Join us for our “Workshop Wednesday: Introduction to Adobe Premiere Pro Basics” on Wednesday, January 29, from 1:30-2:30 pm! Adobe Premiere Pro is a powerful tool for creating professional videos and can be utilized in a variety of teaching situations. This workshop will cover getting started with Adobe Premiere and developing a video editing workflow, and will include helpful demonstrations, tech tips, and possible teaching applications.

Facilitated by Chase Sanders, Digital Learning Designer.

Register here to receive the Zoom link.

Contact Millie Tullis with any questions about this session or if you encounter accessibility issues with the registration form.

Clemson Online Spring 2025 Events Calendar

Image of a spring calendar with flowers

Review our Spring 2025 Events Calendar to see what Online Instruction Development opportunities await!

We have a robust lineup of topics and live training formats to support your use of Canvas and other e-learning tools. Topics cover demonstrations of using Kaltura, engaging your students, and workshops to get your Canvas site ready to teach!

All of our live training is recorded. Registrants will automatically receive a link to that day’s video after it has been processed.

Contact Millie Tullis with any questions regarding these sessions.

Clemson Online – Where Tech and Teaching Meet