Meeting Minutes: October 15, 2015

Present

  • Stephen Blosser, Chair
  • Graham Pierce, Vice Chair; Webmaster
  • Phil Deaton
  • Danielle Fowler
  • Kevin Henley
  • James Jackson
  • Ranti Junus
  • Nick Kwatkowski
  • Deborah Margolis
  • Todd Ring
  • Heidi Schroeder
  • Joann Silsby
  • Tyler Smeltekop
  • Nicole Stevens Edge

Minutes

  1. Blosser called meeting to order at 1:00 PM
  2. Phil Deaton, ITS, discussed the "Accessibility of Service Statement for Purchase and Use of Electronic and Information Technology at MSU."
    • Process received recommendation from the ATC in 2015. Phil will send slightly revised version of the process (dated 3/3/2015), would like feedback.
    • Steps regarding the recommended purchasing workflow:
      1. Ask vendor for contact person for accessibility questions.
      2. Did the vendor supply a VPAT?
      3. Has VPAT been verified by MSU? UARC has been contracted to do brief evaluations. VPATs include Section 508, but not WCAG 2.0 (MSU's standard)
    • Comments/clarifications:
      • Vendor commitment to accessibility important, because software changes so frequently.
      • Vendors are not signing the indemnification.
      • MSU-produced software is not part of this process.
      • Library is implementing similar process, involving hundreds of VPATs within the next five years.
      • Central funding for ITS to work with UARC on verification of accessibility should be encouraged.
  3. EIT Purchasing Accessibility Considerations
    • "Department EIT Accessibility Acknowledgement Form"
    • Used when desired software is not accessible and the department still wants to purchase it.
    • This form may deter the purchase of inaccessible software.
    • Department takes responsibility for their role in purchasing the software.
    • Questions/Comments:
      • What happens when the signer is no longer in their position?
      • What about hardware, such as clickers and digital signage?
  4. Future ATC Meetings
    • Will take place on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at 1:00pm in 215 Computer Center.
    • The meeting was adjourned (Pierce) at 2:30 PM

Respectfully submitted,
Deborah Margolis