Vendor Letter

Re: Requirements for Procuring Accessible EIT

Dear Vendor:

The University of Montana is required to procure only electronic information and technology (EIT) that is accessible to individuals with disabilities. The purpose of this letter is to ensure that you understand our needs in this regard so we can work together. This letter will also explain our EIT procurement procedures which are designed to ensure that the University procures accessible EIT.

1. Definitions

a. Accessible: Means that individuals with disabilities are able to independently acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services within the same timeframe as individuals without disabilities, with substantially equivalent ease of use.

b. Electronic and information technology or EIT: Includes information technology and any equipment or interconnected system or subsystem of equipment that is used in the creation, conversion, or duplication of data or information. The term electronic and information technology includes, but is not limited to, the internet and intranet websites, content delivered in digital form, electronic books and electronic book reading systems, search engines and databases, learning management systems, classroom technology and multimedia, personal response systems ("clickers"), and office equipment such as classroom podiums, copiers and fax machines. It also includes any equipment or interconnected system or subsystem of equipment that is used in the automatic acquisition, creation, storage, manipulation, management, movement, control, display, switching, interchange, transmission, or reception of data or information. This term includes telecommunication products (such as telephones), information kiosks, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) transaction machines, computers, ancillary equipment, software, firmware and similar procedures, services (including support services), and related resources.

2. Technical Standards

a. The University is required to meet the accessibility standards of WCAG 2.1 Level AA for web-based technology, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act for other EITs.

3. Procedures

a. The University has created a simple process to facilitate the purchase of accessible EIT. Our first step is to require vendors to use a VPAT (voluntary product accessibility template). We will review the VPAT to make an informed decision about whether we need more information before we can purchase your product. If you do not have a readily available VPAT, you can download a form from our website

If we have questions or concerns after reviewing the VPAT, we will work with your contact person to determine how to proceed. For more information about the University’s EITA compliance efforts, please see the EITA section of UM's Accessibility website. 

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Lucy T. France

(University of Montana Legal Counsel)