Can a VPAT be used as a legal defense in an accessibility lawsuit?
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Answer
It can definitely help. A VPAT, or Voluntary Product Accessibility Template, serves as a kind of executive summary of your product’s accessibility. It shows that you've evaluated your product against WCAG success criteria and, ideally, taken steps to address any gaps.
While a VPAT alone doesn’t guarantee legal protection, having one—especially a thorough and accurate one—is much better than having none at all. It demonstrates due diligence and effort toward accessibility.
That said, a strong legal defense in an accessibility lawsuit involves more than just a VPAT. For example, having an accessibility statement on your website or app, a clear way for users to report barriers or request accommodations, and evidence of both automated and manual audits are all important. If a user didn’t try those channels before filing a lawsuit, you’re in a much better position to defend yourself.
Ultimately, the most robust defense is a clean, well-documented accessibility effort—ideally including a VPAT that shows full support across the board.
