In 2018, the average company only used five software as a service (SaaS) solutions for day-to-day operations. By 2021, that number had jumped to 110 applications. As you increasingly adopt digital solutions and look for opportunities to streamline operations, you need to keep accessibility in mind. A software provider might promise you comprehensive and intuitive tools, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be accessible to all of your employees.
Whether you are meeting SaaS vendors at a tradeshow or scheduling appointments one-on-one, be prepared with the right questions.
1. Are you ADA and/or 508 compliant?
The vendor trying to sell their software should follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and be familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Section 508. Not only should the vendor understand digital accessibility standards, but they should be able to demonstrate how they have implemented them in their application.
2. Which assistive technologies has your product been tested with?
Ask whether the application has been tested with assistive technology at all. If so, ask which tools have been tested and confirmed to be compatible.
For more insight, ask the representative to demonstrate using the product without using a mouse. If accessibility is a prominent value of the company, they should be able to navigate the accessibility features and answer your questions with ease.
3. Does your product work with browsers’ zoom features?
Ask the vendor to demonstrate what the application looks like when it is zoomed in. They should be able to magnify to at least 200% without the content overlapping or becoming unreadable. You can also use this test to confirm that the application is responsive and can be used on tablets and mobile devices.
This will provide insight into the accessibility of the product, as well as the vendor’s focus on usability overall.
4. Who is responsible for accessibility in your organization?
Learn about the vendor's internal processes. Do they have a full team dedicated to accessibility or does the work fall to a particular employee? Where in the company does this employee stand – are they in a senior leadership role?
If the company outsources its accessibility testing, who manages the agency or the testing service? Who corresponds with them throughout the day?
5. How inclusive is your testing process?
People with disabilities are not a monolith. Different people have different needs and use different resources to navigate digital tools. When you ask about user testing, ask about how much feedback they got from people with disabilities. What improvements did they make in response?
6. Do you have accessibility reports?
If the software vendor that you are considering has tested its tools for accessibility, they should be able to produce some documentation of the results. This should include the results of accessibility audits, documentation of accessibility features and compatible assistive tools, and–if available–any certification proving compliance with federal regulations.
7. Do your designers or developers receive accessibility training?
Are the people building and maintaining the application educated on and dedicated to accessibility? Ask about training, who receives it, and how often team members refresh their knowledge on accessibility, the latest technology, and best practices.
8. How do you handle feature requests?
As technology changes and new accessibility needs emerge, how will the vendor respond to requests to implement improvements? The answer you receive might depend on how much money your company expects to bring to the business. If you are a major client for the SaaS vendor, then they may be able to accommodate you. If you are one user out of thousands, they might not be as flexible to meet your needs.
9. What accessibility-related conferences do you attend?
Technology is constantly moving forward, which means the assistive tools that were popular a few years ago have likely improved or been replaced in the present day. Look for a SaaS vendor that is willing to dedicate their time and resources to keep up with the latest accessibility standards. Learn about the accessibility conferences attend and if they present at any.
Conclusion
These questions will help you determine the right SaaS vendor for your digitally inclusive needs to ensure accessibility of the tools your employees need to do their jobs successfully.
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