What is a VPAT?
A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template is a standardized document developed by the Information Technology Industry Council to communicate the level of accessibility of a product. It includes details on the product’s conformance with accessibility standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, and the product’s features and functionalities that support accessibility.
Unbiased Evaluation
Credibility and Trust
Regulatory Compliance Assurance
How it works
1. Full WCAG Audit
An audit is required for a VPAT and includes both manual and automated assessments against WCAG success criteria.
2. VPAT Preparation
An accessibility specialist will go through your audit and remediation results and outline how your site/product addresses the criteria.
3. VPAT Delivery
Upon completion, the specialist will deliver your document and update your accessibility policy.
What’s Included?
Introduction
An overview of the product, version, and responsible party.
Product Description
Functionality and features of the product or service.
Conformance Levels
Level of conformance to specific accessibility standards.
Supporting Features
Features and functionalities that support compliance..
Evaluation Results
Findings for each criterion, indicating conformance levels.
Remarks & Explanations
Additional information, such as any known limitations.
Are your customers asking for your VPAT?
VPATs are the standard for transparency around product accessibility for vendors to communicate the accessibility status of their products to potential customers, procurement officers, and other stakeholders. Web accessibility is mandated or widely adopted in the following industries:
- Government
- Education
- Banking & Finance
- Healthcare
- Real Estate
- eCommerce
Gain a competitive edge and help your sales team win more deals
Highlighting the accessibility of your product through a VPAT can give your sales team a distinct advantage. It demonstrates your commitment to inclusivity and compliance, which can be a crucial factor for those who want to ensure their investments align with their accessibility goals.
ACRs vs VPATs
These two terms are often used interchangeably.
- VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template): a report that communicates the accessibility level of a product to stakeholders.
- Used for external communication and marketability.
- ACR (Accessibility Conformance Report): an evaluation and documentation of a product’s accessibility, including detailed testing results and recommendations.
- Used during development and to ensure compliance during the product’s lifecycle.
We can provide either or both, depending on your needs.
From startups to global brands, the trusted choice for accessibility
Schedule a free consultation
Meet with a web accessibility consultant for a free 30-minute discovery call to discuss your needs and dive into details about our VPAT report preparation service.