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VPAT Accessibility Guide
What is a VPAT? A full guide to compliance
TL;DR - A VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) is a document that outlines how a product or service meets accessibility standards like WCAG, Section 508, and the ADA Standard. Businesses selling digital products to government agencies or enterprises often need a VPAT to prove compliance. This guide explains VPATs, their importance, and how to create one.
What is a VPAT?
A VPAT is a standardized document used to evaluate and report the accessibility of a digital product or service. Created by the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), it helps businesses demonstrate compliance with accessibility laws. A completed VPAT, known as an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR), provides a detailed assessment of how well a product meets accessibility requirements.
Organizations that need to comply with accessibility regulations, such as Section 508 in the United States or the WCAG guidelines, often use VPATs to ensure their digital tools are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.
A VPAT is crucial for businesses that sell digital products to government agencies, educational institutions, or enterprises with accessibility requirements. Many procurement processes require vendors to provide a VPAT before making a purchase decision. Beyond compliance, having a VPAT enhances brand reputation and ensures products are inclusive and usable for a broader audience.
Any organization providing software, websites, or digital services to government agencies or businesses with accessibility policies should have a VPAT. Key industries include:
Software companies offering digital tools and applications
E-commerce platforms selling to accessibility-conscious businesses
VPAT compliance involves ensuring that a product meets established accessibility standards such as WCAG and Section 508. Compliance requires thorough testing, remediation of issues, and clear documentation of accessibility efforts. This section explores best practices for achieving and maintaining VPAT compliance.
A VPAT must be backed by thorough testing and auditing. Organizations use a combination of automated tools and manual reviews to evaluate accessibility. This section explains different testing approaches and how to ensure a VPAT report accurately reflects a product’s accessibility.
VPAT Versions & ACR
VPATs have different versions to align with evolving accessibility standards. The latest versions, including VPAT 2.4 and 2.5, incorporate WCAG updates and Section 508 requirements. Understanding these versions helps businesses choose the right format for their needs.
How to Create a VPAT
Conduct an Accessibility Audit: Use automated and manual testing to identify accessibility barriers.
Document Compliance Findings: Assess how well the product meets WCAG and Section 508 requirements.
Format the VPAT Correctly: Follow ITI guidelines to ensure clarity and completeness.
Publish & Share the VPAT: Make the VPAT available to procurement teams and stakeholders.
Where to Get a VPAT Report
Businesses can create a VPAT in-house or work with accessibility experts. EqualWeb provides a full VPAT evaluation service, combining advanced technology with manual assessments to ensure an accurate and complete report.
Next Steps for VPAT Compliance
If your business requires a VPAT, the best approach is to start with an accessibility audit. EqualWeb provides expert services to help organizations navigate compliance requirements and create accurate VPAT reports.
Need a VPAT? Contact EqualWeb for a professional VPAT evaluation.
Want to test your product’s accessibility? Explore our automated and manual testing solutions.
How EqualWeb issues a VPAT
The generating process is simple: we audit your website with our web accessibility monitor. Our team of experts then manually scans your website for any accessibility issues the automated scan may have missed. Next, we fill in the VPAT document for you, detailing your accessibility standards and assessing your compatibility. At the end of the process, we issue the VPAT to your email.
Voluntary Product Accessibility Template
Easily generate your VPAT & ACR report
Our VPAT reports are thorough, simple, and highly detailed, accurately reflecting your accessibility status as well as the existing gaps between your website and legislative standards.
