Accessibility

Skip repeated menu and go directly to page content.

• Faculty
• Staff
• Students
• Web Developer

Accessible Procurement

Section 508

Section 508 refers to federal guidelines that facilitate procurement of products which meet the accessibility needs of our campus community.

• Section 508 applies to electronic and information technology (E&IT) only.
  
  
• If the product requires electricity, has an interactive screen or display and transfers information, it probably falls under Section 508.
  
  
• Purchasing an accessible product is often less expensive that providing accommodations (e.g. purchasing a video with caption vs. hiring an interpreter.)

Product Examples

Electronic and Information Technology (E&IT) includes the following categories of products and related services:

• Telecommunication products
• Information kiosks
• Transaction machines
• World Wide Web sites
• Software applications
• Computer operating systems
• Computers
• Multimedia (including videotapes)
• Electronic office equipment (such as copiers and fax machines)
• Any device or system that is used in the creation, conversion, or duplication of data or information

SDSU E&IT Procurement Process

All E&IT purchases of hardware $15,000 or more, software and IT services over $15,000 must be reviewed and approved by the Compliance Officer for each university division prior to submission to Contract & Procurement Management.

SDSU ATI Procurement Process

Section 508 Exemptions

• Back office — Pertains to a group of products that reside in either a telecommunication closet or data center. Staff and students do not interact with it except when maintenance is required.
  
  
• Net Cost Increase — California Government Code exempts the CSU from Section 508 requirements if it can be determined that the procurement of an accessible E&IT product will Increase the cost to the CSU.
  
  
• Commercially unavailable — When acquiring E&IT products or services, CSU is only required to comply with 508 standards that can be met with products available in the Commercial marketplace in time to meet delivery requirements.
  
  
• Sole Brand — A sole brand is when only one product meets the functional requirements and technical specification required.
  
  
• Fundamental Alteration — CSU is not required to make changes in fundamental characteristics of a product to comply with 508. This does not apply to cosmetic or aesthetic changes, but to a change that fundamentally alters the device by significantly changing its size to an extent that it no longer meets the purpose for which it was intended.
  
  
• Undue Burden — When determining if a product qualifies for an undue burden exemption, the campus must consider the resources available to the program or component for which the product is being developed, procured, maintained, or used.

For more information about E&IT requisitions please contact Contract and Procurement Management Office at 619-594-5243.

Next section, E&IT Procurement Information for Vendors.

---

• Accessible Electronic and Information Technology (AE&IT) Procurement Plan [PDF]
  — Draft 720/2007
  
  
• Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI) Section 508 Procurement Checklist Requirement [DOC]
  • Appendix F: Procurement Checklist [XLS]
  
  
  
• Accessibility 101
  The CSU Chancellor’s Office provides videos from Lynda.com summarizing accessibility as it applies to the Web. These videos are divided into 5-10 minute presentations so that visitors can view them at their own pace and at their own convenience. These training videos are for CSU staff and faculty only.
  
  
• Additional Resources
  Includes links to other CSU campuses.
  
  
• ATI Timeline & Resources
  
  
• CSU Professional Development of Accessible Technology Resources for Teaching and Learning the Accessibility of Technology
  
  
• Equally Effective Access Plan (EEAP) [DOC]
  For E&IT products that are not fully 508 compliant SDSU campus users must complete the attached Equally Effective Access Plan (EEAP) document. It must be approved by all parties prior to submission of their requisition to Contracts and Procurement Management for purchase of non-compliant E&IT products.
  
  
• E&IT Procurement Resources
  
  
• How do I make a Sec. 508 Determination?
  
  
• How to search for a Voluntary Product Evaluation Template (VPAT)
  
  See also, VPAT Links for Personal Computer Purchases:
  • Apple Accessibility Resources
  • DELL Customers With Disabilities
  • Lenovo Product Accessibility Request E-form
  
  
  
• Procurement FAQs
  
  
• Purchasing Guidelines

Contract and Procurement Management
Web site: C&PM Staff
Phone: 619-594-5243

---

Note: documents in Portable Document Format (PDF) require Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 or higher to view; download Adobe Acrobat Reader. Documents in Word format (DOC) require Microsoft Viewer, download word. Documents in Excel format (XLS) require Microsoft Viewer, download excel.