Attachment_9_-_OCC_IT_Accessibility_Questionnaire.docx

Attachment 9

OCC

IT Accessibility

Service Provider Self-Assessment

1.0 – Executive Summary

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) requires all service providers to have the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to effectively maintain accessibility within all Information Technology (IT) products and services delivered in order to ensure delivery to OCC will meet the needs of the end-users, including those with disabilities.

This publication is based on Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 794d) which requires that when Federal agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology, Federal employees with disabilities have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access and use by Federal employees who are not individuals with disabilities. Additionally, it requires that individuals with disabilities, who are members of the public seeking information or services from a Federal agency, have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to that provided to the public who are not individuals with disabilities

Once completed, this self-assessment will be analyzed by OCC IT Accessibility Program (ITAP) personnel to provide OCC’s contracting officer with a preliminary assessment of the respondents IT Accessibility proficiencies, company knowledge, skill, ability, and tools to implement and maintain accessible solutions. In addition, any commercially available product or service will be evaluated and verified to determine its level of accessibility.

Explanation of terms, concepts, and other items related to IT accessibility requirements can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section of this publication.

2.0 - Instructions

The self-assessment questionnaire must be filled out by staff responsible for, and knowledgeable of all products or services, management, operational, and technical standards related to IT accessibility that is being recommended as a response to OCC solicitations for an IT solution.

The OCC requires attestations for all self-assessments made by its service providers. It is the responsibility of the service provider (respondent to the solicitation) to ensure that any commercially available product being offered or recommended is fully evaluated, and any supporting documentation, including 3rd party documentation provided by the vendor of the commercially available product is accurate.

Once completed, the questionnaire must be reviewed and approved by a senior officer of the organization. Sections 3.0. must be completed and must be submitted as part of any official response to the request for proposal, statement of work, and/or other contracting document.

For each commercially available product that is being recommended as part of a solution, must be completed and submitted for review.

Please review the checklist in table 1 below to ensure completeness prior to final submission.

All questions within the self-assessment have been completed.

Detailed comments have been provided where appropriate.

Self-assessment has been reviewed and approved by knowledgeable staff.

Completion for each commercially available product has been completed and attached.

Attestation letter has been reviewed and signed by a senior officer of the organization.

3.0 – IT Accessibility Questionnaire

3.1 – Product or Service Overview Organizations must ensure that IT products or services used, maintained, developed or procured meet specific Functional Performance Criteria, Technical Standards and Information, Documentation and Support Criteria resulting in the accessibility for all end-users, including those with disabilities.

Does the service provider propose an existing commercially available product or service as all-of or part-of the solution? (if yes, please list each)

Yes

1)

2)

3)

4)

No

Does the service provider propose either development activities or customization of any commercially available product or service included in the in the solution? (if yes, list each product or service)

1)

2)

3)

4)

3.2 – Knowledge, skill and ability of the Service Provider Organizations must maintain IT products and services that continually meet the needs of the existing and future workforce as well as members of the public, which includes individuals with disabilities. This requires service providers to the organization to have the knowledge, skills and abilities to develop and maintain accessibility within IT solutions.

Does the service provider have staff that has the knowledge, skill and ability to develop or customize existing commercial products to meet accessibility requirements as listed in the work statement?

Does the service provider have staff that is trained or proficient in the use of tools used by individuals with disabilities, commonly referred to as “Assistive Technologies” such as but not limited to screen readers, screen magnification, etc., who will be responsible for testing and verification of all delivered products and services?

3.3 – Testing Methodology, Tools and Results Organizations must ensure newly acquired or modified IT products and services meet IT Accessibility standards at all times. Test results must be predictable, measurable and repeatable.

Does the service provider have existing test criteria, procedures, etc., documented and followed specifically for the testing of accessibility requirements for all proposed solutions?

Does the service provider conduct their own testing and inspection of any proposed product and service for commercially available products or development activity to (1) validate the level of accessibility according to any documentation provided or created for the product, and (2) to ensure the level of accessibility is known and accurately represented in response to this solicitation?

Does the service provider use Assistive Technology (tools) commonly used by individuals with disabilities in their testing and verification activities?

(if so, please list all tools with version numbers)

Does the service provider use an automated (scan tool) method to evaluate any Web based solution being proposed? (if so, please list)

3.4 – Functional Performance Criteria Disclosure Organizations must specifically support Functional Performance Criteria for users identified by 36 CFR 1193.31 a-f, commonly accomplished by applying technical standards identified by 36 CFR 1194.21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26.

NOTE: All of these “Apply” – Please use the comments area to explain answers.

Does the service provider propose a product or service that meets the following criteria? - At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require user vision shall be provided, or support for assistive technology used by people who are blind or visually impaired shall be provided.

Does the service provider propose a product or service that meets the following criteria? - At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require visual acuity greater than 20/70 shall be provided in audio and enlarged print output working together or independently, or support for assistive technology used by people who are visually impaired shall be provided.

Does the service provider propose a product or service that meets the following criteria? - At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require user hearing shall be provided, or support for assistive technology used by people who are deaf or hard of hearing shall be provided.

Response Comments

Does the service provider propose a product or service that meets the following criteria? - Where audio information is important for the use of a product, at least one mode of operation and information retrieval shall be provided in an enhanced auditory fashion, or support for assistive hearing devices shall be provided.

Does the service provider propose a product or service that meets the following criteria? - At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require user speech shall be provided, or support for assistive technology used by people with disabilities shall be provided.

Does the service provider propose a product or service that meets the following criteria? - At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require fine motor control or simultaneous actions and that is operable with limited reach and strength shall be provided.

3.5 – Applicable Technical Standards Disclosure Organizations must follow Technical Standards, used interchangeably regardless of type of technology, to meet the Functional Performance Criteria with rare exception. For instance, when Web solutions utilize dynamic technical approaches such as Flash, AJAX, DHTML, then both “Web & Software” standards would be applicable, interchangeably.

Identifying and Confirming Applicable Standards:

Does the service provider proposed product or service that utilizes any of the following technologies? (check all that apply)

Software Applications, Operating System, Web Intranet or Internet interfaces.

If Yes: Applicable Standards include: 36 CFR 1194.21, 22, & 24.

Telecommunications Products (Including but not limited to “Servers”, “Routers”, “Switches”, etc.)

If Yes, Applicable Standards include: 36 CFR 1194.23

Video and Multimedia products (Including support materials such as training as well as part of the solution)

If Yes, Applicable Standards include: 36 CFR 1194.21, 22 & 24

Self-Contained, Closed Products (Including but not limited to printers, copiers, kiosks, etc.)

If Yes, Applicable Standards include: 36 CFR 1194.21, 22, 23k & 25

Desktop and Portable Computers

If Yes, Applicable Standards include: 36 CFR 1194.21, 22, 23k & 26

NOTE: Detailed descriptions and explanations are to be explained Attachment 2 for all applicable standards identified above.

3.6 – Information, Documentation and Support Disclosure Organizations must ensure that information, documentation and support services are delivered in an accessible format to those with disabilities, manageable within internal records management systems, and publishable through both Intranet or Internet as needed.

Does the service provider ensure that all documents delivered including administrative documents, product documentation, and all other documents created and delivered will be in electronic format? (if yes, list types of files: PDF, HTML, .DOC, etc.)

Does the service provider ensure all electronic documents meet the technical standards of 36 CFR 1194.22 and the Functional Performance Criteria defined in 36 CFR 1194.31? (if yes, please describe how this is tested and verified)

Does the service provider have capabilities to communicate with end-users with speech and hearing disabilities in all help-desk or support activities using Teletypewriter (TTY)?

3.7 – Operations and Maintenance Organizations must ensure that operations, updates and modifications, including regression issues to IT services maintain accessibility and comply with all Technical Standards, Functional Performance Criteria and Information, Documentation and Support Criteria.

Does the service provider have processes and procedures that include an evaluation and assurance that new upgrades and modifications to existing IT products and services meet accessibility requirements?

Does the service provider have processes and procedures that monitor existing IT products and services that have content routinely updated or changed such as a Web based interface to ensure accessibility is consistently maintained?

4.0 – FAQ’s

(1) Why does OCC require its service providers to complete this self-assessment questionnaire? The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended requires that all Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) procured, developed, maintained or used by OCC meets specific Technical Standards, fulfills specific Functional Performance Criteria, and makes Information, Documentation, and Support services available to individuals with disabilities.

(2) As a service provider, why is it required that we conduct our own testing, including third party vendors we propose within a solution? It is highly recommended that any product you recommend as part of your solution meets requirements outlined in a solicitation. Accessibility is a significant part of those requirements and ultimately the service provider selected will be expected to meet the requirements as documented.

(3) Why do some standards titled “software” apply to a “web” deliverable? Existing standards were written when most Web applications were static or simple HTML. In later years, the Web became much more dynamic to deliver information and functionality in a method that would not meet “Functional Performance Criteria” by using “Web” standards alone. Failing to meet the Functional Performance Criteria would prohibit the use of the application within Federal service. Cross-referencing standards has proven to overcome challenges and meet the Functional Performance Criteria, allowing for the newer technologies to be used.

(4) What if this is a new topic to me and it’s unknown how accessible a product or service is? If selling to the Federal Government is desired, then it is highly recommended that you seek knowledge, whether is from a third party company who specializes in this field. Accessibility is a law that affects all of Government IT systems, not just OCC.

Version 02/20161