Re: Accessibility and web developer contracts

> multi-level headings. Would it be acceptable  (or even common?) to write
> some clause in the specification to the effect "we reserve the right to have
> the accessibility audited / tested by an independent body / person / group /
> whatever, with any necessary changes to be made at the web development
> company's expense". Has anyone (either on the commissioning or providing

Most bidders would run a mile if they thought that this clause would
actually be invoked.  The aim of any supplier is to get into a position
where the risk is on the consumer at the earliest possible point in
the project.  They will not like a contract that allows the customer to
effectively refuse acceptance on arbitrary grounds.  They will probably
not be particularly happy with the much more specific requirement to
meet a particular level of W3C WCAG compliance, if the risk is on them,
because of the subjective content of the guidelines.  That's probably
why section 508 is weak on subjective tests.

If contractors accept this clause, it's either because they think that
they can all your bluff, or they are so desparate for the business that
you should question their financial stabilty or business sense.

If you are contracting out on anything but a time and materials basis,
you need to have a very complete specification that doesn't leave anything
important open to interpretation.  You will probably get less bids and
higher priced bids that way, as the suppliers will not be able to 
make their profits on the basis of the subsequent change requests, or
by supplying what you asked for, not what you needed.  You will also
need to budget a significant amount of your time to quality control.

Received on Thursday, 24 April 2003 17:44:59 UTC