Accessibility

Accessibility Quick Tip: What is a VPAT? What does it do?

By Regan Harper: Published on
Accessibility

What is a VPAT?

A VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) is a document used by organizations to describe how their products or services conform to accessibility standards, such as Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (U.S. federal accessibility requirements), WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), and the EN 301 549 (European ICT accessibility standard).

The VPAT provides detailed information on the level of accessibility compliance for hardware, software, websites, electronic documents, and other technology products.

What is the Purpose of a VPAT?

The primary purpose of a VPAT is to help customers, particularly government agencies and other organizations that must meet accessibility regulations, evaluate whether a product or service meets accessibility requirements. It also serves as a tool for vendors to demonstrate their commitment to accessibility and transparency.

Key Components of a VPAT

The rows of each table in the VPAT address each accessibility requirement for ICT products. The rows are grouped into sections that match the organization of the particular standard. Standards typically have sections for different technology aspects of a product such as web content, software, documentation, hardware, two-way voice communications, and product support services. Each VPAT table has three columns. The first column identifies the individual requirement, the second column is where the level of conformance to the requirement should be documented, and the third column is used for remarks and explanations further describing the level of conformance.

A VPAT typically includes:

  • Product Description: Overview of the product or service.
  • Accessibility Standards: Identifies the standards used for evaluation (e.g., Section 508, WCAG 2.1).
  • Compliance Level: States whether the product fully supports the criteria or partially supports the criteria (with explanations).
  • Detailed Remarks: Describes how the product supports or does not support each criterion, often including examples or technical details.
  • Contact Information: Provides a way for customers to get more information or ask specific questions about accessibility.

Who Uses a VPAT?

  • Vendors and Developers: To document the accessibility features of their products and identify areas for improvement.
  • Procurement Officers: To assess the accessibility of potential products during the purchasing process.
  • Government Agencies: To ensure compliance with accessibility regulations.
  • Accessibility Advocates: To understand the accessibility barriers and capabilities of a product.

Why is a VPAT Important?

  • Compliance: Ensures that products meet legal accessibility requirements, avoiding penalties and lawsuits.
  • Transparency: Demonstrates a vendor’s commitment to accessibility and their willingness to disclose compliance details.
  • Informed Decision-Making: Helps buyers choose accessible products or services.
  • Improvement Tool: Highlights areas where accessibility enhancements are needed.

How to Create a VPAT:

  • Conduct an Accessibility Audit: Evaluate the product against relevant accessibility standards.
  • Fill Out the VPAT Template: Document findings, noting the level of compliance for each criterion.
  • Provide Supporting Details: Include explanations, examples, or remediation plans for areas that do not meet standards.
  • Review and Update: Accessibility is an ongoing process, so regularly update the VPAT as improvements are made.

Conclusion:

A VPAT is a critical tool for organizations looking to demonstrate the accessibility of their products and comply with accessibility regulations. By providing a clear and transparent evaluation of how a product meets accessibility standards, a VPAT helps foster inclusivity and ensures that technology is usable by people with disabilities.

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Regan Harper
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