Accessible Vendor Procurement

Challenge

The organization lacked a consistent, enforceable way to evaluate the accessibility of third-party software, libraries, and vendor-delivered client solutions without extending an already lengthy procurement process. This created accessibility, legal, and client-experience risk across primarily client-facing tools and event deliverables.

Project duration: 3–6 months

Solution

Designed and implemented an accessibility procurement framework embedded within the existing security review process, using a standardized audit rubric, rapid accessibility assessments, and formal vendor remediation requirements to evaluate third-party products without impacting procurement timelines.

Results

  • Developed formal accessibility procurement policy and standards for third-party software, libraries, and vendor-delivered client solutions, embedding accessibility requirements directly into enterprise procurement workflows and governance documentation.
  • Designed and implemented a rapid accessibility audit rubric for 5–15 vendors annually lacking an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) sometimes also called a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT), enabling consistent, WCAG-aligned evaluations while maintaining standard procurement timelines and avoiding approval bottlenecks.
  • Provided conditional accessibility approvals and remediation requirements for procurement, legal, and security teams, requiring vendors to document issue severity and remediation timelines, reducing downstream accessibility and legal risk for client-facing products.
  • Consulted with engineering and business teams during vendor selection and integration, ensuring third-party tools met baseline accessibility expectations prior to adoption, reducing post-procurement rework and accessibility defects.
  • Solved procurement delays by aligning accessibility reviews with existing security controls, expanding governance coverage across vendor decisions without extending procurement cycle time or disrupting delivery schedules.