Resources for Contracting and Purchasing
Listed below are some links to information that may be helpful to you in planning for accessibility in purchasing and contracting.
Researching accessible products:
http://www.access-board.gov/ The Access Board has great resources on the website and via their excellent telephone technical assistance. If your purchase involves a product that is not included in the Standards, think about how the product will be used and use the individual standards that may apply-for example those for reach ranges, knee and toe clearance, operation, approaches, etc. Also check the rulemaking and research sections to see if there are draft standards applicable to your product or approved standards that apply to federal agencies that include what you are looking for. Currently the Board is working on developing standards for facilities in the Public-Right-of-Way, furniture and equipment, and a Refresh of the section 508 standards, among others.
http://www.ncaonline.org/resources/articles/ada_approved.shtml This is a good article written by the National Center for Accessibility (NCA) in 2010. Although it was written before the 2010 ADA Standards were finalized, the suggestions are very useful and the references to standards are current. It focuses on recreation and park issues but the recommendations for steps to take made apply in across the board. NCA also has a product directory on its website.
https://adata.org/factsheet/accessible-medical-examination-tables-and-chairs
http://www.ada.gov/anprm2010/equipment_anprm_2010.htm DOJ’s Advance notice of proposed rulemaking for standards for accessible furniture and equipment
Information Technology Resources
http://www.itic.org/policy/accessibility/ The Voluntary Product Accessibility Template. This is used by federal agencies to assess the accessibility of information technology products under Section 508 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act. Although Section 508 applies to federal government agencies, other entities can use this as a way of evaluating products in terms of accessibility.
http://www.section508.gov/content/buy Lots of good information on accessible IT. Again this is geared for Federal government use but useful for other entities.
https://accessibility.temple.edu/policies-guidelines/standards-and-guidelines/computer-lab-accessibility-guidelines This links to Temple University’s accessibility guidance for IT and computer labs and classrooms and to their guide to buying accessible products: https://accessibility.temple.edu/guide-accessible-purchasing While this guidance is specifically geared for Temple University staff it includes lots of good information that may assist in your planning and in policy development.
http://www.ala.org/ascla/asclaprotools/thinkaccessible/default This link is to a tool box created for librarians to use to make informed decisions about the accessibility of electronic resources for libraries including databases, software and websites. It was created by the Association of Special and Cooperative Libraries and geared towards those who are not IT professionals.
https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/Kiosk-website-FR-final%20rule.pdf This is a link to the final rule from the Department of Transportation covering the accessibility of web sites and automated kiosks at U.S. airports. These regulations apply specifically to air carriers but both the regulations and the information in the summary of comments and responses could be useful.
Monitoring Title II services provided by contractors
http://www.ada.gov/dc_shelter.htm#settlement The District of Columbia provides a wide range of services for people who are homeless and most are provided through contracts with non-profits and other service providers. This settlement agreement shows the Department of Justice expectations on monitoring these contracts to ensure that services are provided in accordance with Title II of the ADA.
Other
http://www.seattle.gov/city-purchasing-and-contracting/social-equity/ada-and-accessibility-compliance Seattle’s built environment city wide policy.
http://health.hawaii.gov/dcab/files/2013/01/IO_2012-01.pdf Hawaii’s ADA requirements for electric vehicle charging stations
http://opr.ca.gov/docs/PEV_Access_Guidelines.pdf California guidelines for accessible electric vehicle charging stations