If you’ve googled “what is VPAT” and ended up buried in technical documents, you’re not alone. VPAT can be confusing to understand at first glance, but it’s more practical than it seems.
Stick around. By the end of this article, you’ll know what a VPAT really is, why it’s important, and how to make one that actually builds trust.
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Accessible Site Builders That Support VPAT Compliance
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What is a VPAT and an Accessibility Conformance Report?
VPAT stands for Voluntary Product Accessibility Template. VPAT is an Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) template used for generating an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR).
The ITI and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) jointly worked on developing the VPAT template. It’s an initiative for standardizing vendor accessibility reporting.
Use a filled-in VPAT to be an indication of “Nutrition Facts” on your product’s accessibility.
Just as nutrition labels inform customers how to make informed decisions regarding food, an ACR indicates how your electronic product meets accessibility requirements such as WCAG and Section 508.
That is where it gets unclear:
The ACR is your official report to buyers and procurement officers. But people refer to this end product as “VPAT.”
Regardless of whether or not they ask for your “VPAT” or your “ACR,” they’re asking for the same thing. Your completed accessibility documentation.
Why Digital Accessibility Matters for Federal Government Contracts & Beyond
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act mandates that the U.S. federal government only buy accessible Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products.
That is correct. Before it can be bought, your technology product has to be made accessible by the government.
Business Advantage
A VPAT simplifies product or service comparisons for customers. It demonstrates your company’s accessibility commitment and earns you public and private sector contracts.
Procurement teams use these documents to make rapid, informed buying decisions.
Legal Risk
The Americans with Disabilities Act now includes websites and apps.
A Midyear report showed that accessibility lawsuits will likely grow by 20% come the end of the year. Proactive accessibility compliance protects your business from lawsuits.
Improved Product
Everyone’s improved experience is typically what an accessibility audit provides.
By removing the obstacles to accessibility, you have purer navigation, easier text, and clearer interfaces. Search engines are able to interpret your site better, potentially leading to better SEO basics.
Understanding VPAT Versions and the Four Editions
The current version is VPAT 2.5, which is an improved report and aligns with international standards prevalent today. It comes in four editions for use by particular markets.
It is necessary to choose the right one to meet customer demands and specific compliance requirements.
| VPAT Edition | Primary Use | Key Standards Covered |
| VPAT 2.5 508 | U.S. federal agency procurement. | Revised Section 508, WCAG 2.0 AA. |
| VPAT 2.5 WCAG | Private-sector businesses, U.S. state/local governments. | WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2. |
| VPAT 2.5 EU | Public-sector procurement in the European Union. | EN 301 549 (includes WCAG 2.1). |
| VPAT 2.5 INT | Global organizations need multi-jurisdictional coverage. | Section 508, EN 301 549, WCAG 2.2. |
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The 4 VPAT Conformance Levels Explained (From “Supports” to “Partially Supports”)
When filling out the VPAT, you will utilize one of four designated statements to describe the degree of conformance to each of the criteria. The degrees of conformance provide you with a uniform way of reporting your product’s accessibility.
Supports
The product totally supports the criterion without any known issues. People with disabilities are able to use all the accessibility features without limitation.
Partially Supports
There is an inadequate degree of functionality in some of the product’s functions. The third column requires comprehensive remarks showing what missing features there are and how this impacts users who have disabilities.
Does Not Support
There is not much of the product’s functionality that is compliant. You must have comments explaining the degree of non-conformity and any corrective action plans.
Not Applicable
The standard is not applied to the product or service. For instance, two-way voice communications standards would not be utilized on a text-only application.
How to Create a VPAT: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here are four steps to creating a VPAT today:
1. Conduct a Thorough Accessibility Audit
The initial and fundamental step is to audit your product against the relevant accessibility standard. For most companies, this means testing against WCAG 2.1 AA or relevant accessibility standards in your locale.
Your audit will identify gaps in compliance and provide the data utilized to complete the VPAT template correctly. Your VPAT report turns into guesswork rather than documentation without a proper audit.
Use both automated and manual testing methods. Automated tests capture the usual issues.
However, manual testing with assistive technologies reveals how disabled customers really interact with your product. Test with screen readers, keyboard navigation, and other accessibility areas.
2. Choose and Download the Correct VPAT® Template
Download the complimentary VPAT template from the iITI website. Select one of the four editions based on your marketplace and essential procurement requirements.
For federal contracts within the United States, utilize the 508 version. Private companies utilize primarily the WCAG edition.
Companies that sell into the European Union need to have the EU version. International organizations are assisted by the International Edition.
Ensure you use the most recent version to meet today’s accessibility requirements. The VPAT template has also been updated to include more technology products.
3. Fill Out the Accessibility Conformance Report
Complete the title page with all seven spaces it has: company name, product name and version, report date, product description, contact, notes, and evaluation methods.
All these spaces enable procurement officials to get an idea of what has been examined and in what manner.
Assign a conformance level for every one of the criteria in the tables. The first column documents the particular standard or criterion. The second column identifies whether your product conforms to it. The third column gives comments.
Give full explanations in the remarks column, particularly for those that are not fully accessible. Describe the effect on users and whether remediation is planned. This openness builds buyers’ trust in you.
4. Ensure Your Final Report is Fully Accessible
The most common error might be to produce an inaccessible ACR report. Before you publish or distribute your report, make sure the final document is available.
If you’re publishing a Word document or PDF, make sure that it is readable by screen readers and that text and tables are correctly laid out.
Make sure your VPAT table structure, headings, and alt images are thoroughly tested. Your documentation should reflect the accessibility principles that you’re claiming to improve.
The Role of a Website in Your Accessibility Strategy
Your well-structured website is the basis of your online presence and the best location to showcase your commitment to accessibility. That is where potential clients will discover your services, product information, and your finished VPAT.
It has never been easier to create a website. To have the best convenience, you may opt for the best website builders to maximize your chances of making the best choice. Hostinger and IONOS are great website builder options.
With such knowledge regarding how to host a website, you may host your ACR on the best web hosting provider to maximize trust and transparency between all the visitors.
Your website is now part of your overall digital marketing strategy. That demonstrates to your customers that you are serious about accessibility. It’s especially useful when starting a business and establishing your reputation.
Should You Outsource? Creating a Credible Completed VPAT
Anyone can fill out a VPAT, but a bad report can lose you business or put you in a liability bind. Originally designed to reduce vendor paperwork, the VPAT addresses complicated accessibility guidelines that require technical knowledge to understand.
It’s a major risk when there are gaps in your in-house Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and testing skills. Misrepresenting your product’s accessibility harms government agency relationships and exposes you to legal attack.
Utilizing third-party professionals guarantees an unbiased, comprehensive, and authoritative Accessibility Conformance Report ACR that customers trust.
Professionals know how to assess whether your service conforms with standards and can offer detailed remediation plans where necessary. You may engage skilled accessibility experts from online accessibility marketplaces and freelance sites.
Outsourcing tasks like VPAT preparation to professionals who perform comprehensive audits and deliver accurate documentation. Fiverr and Upwork are good places to find an expert.
Conclusion
So, we’ve unpacked what a VPAT is and why it’s worth your attention. Try beginning your accessibility journey today. Take this as motivation and make your digital products free of accessibility barriers.
Begin by identifying one product or service that could use improvement, and make documenting that your next project. It quietly drives accountability while opening the door to better products. Check out our ranking of the best tested accessibility tools.
Next Steps: What Now?
What’s next?
- Select a pilot project to test this process out.
- Enlist accessibility expertise to assist with the audit.
- Collect evidence in advance: logs, user testing feedback, screenshots, and screen reader transcripts.
- Make your VPAT (or accessible summary) publicly available on your website so it can be found.
- Create an iterative process. Refresh it with each new release or update.
Further Reading & Useful Resources
Read up on more useful resources here:
- What is a VPAT and Why Do We Need It?
- Web Accessibility Tips For Designers.
- UserWay Review: We Took Them for a Spin and This Happened.
- What is ARIA? | Beginner’s Guide to ARIA for Accessibility
- 7 Ways to Make Your Site Accessible for Color Blind Visitors
