What are some common mistakes organizations make when filling out a VPAT?

One of the biggest issues is simply overlooking accessibility problems during manual testing—either because the team doesn’t know how to test properly, can’t identify certain issues, or isn’t sure how to fix them. Accessibility auditing requires specific skills, and without that expertise, it’s easy to miss critical barriers.

Another common mistake is relying solely on in-house testing and self-reporting. While that’s better than nothing, a VPAT carries much more credibility when it's based on third-party testing. It’s a bit like car manufacturers making claims about towing capacity—if those claims come from independent testing, they’re a lot more trustworthy. The same goes for accessibility: a VPAT validated by an unbiased expert adds weight and legitimacy to your claims.