Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT®)
Prove your product’s accessibility and compliance to buyers with an accurate Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT®) from the most recognized brand in the industry. Simplify the process with an expert partner.
- Meet B2B and public-sector procurement requirements.
- Comply with the ADA, Section 508, and the EAA.
- Simplify the process with an expert partner.
“Level Access not only provided us with a completed VPAT, but also a process that helped us build a better product.”
Win New Business, Retain Customers with a VPAT
Documented accessibility in the form of a VPAT report—or Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) —is mandatory for selling into most public entities, including the U.S. federal government. But a completed VPAT is also becoming a standard requirement in private-sector business-to-business (B2B) procurement processes, VPAT reports are increasingly requested when current contracts come up for renewal.
Start by understanding which version of the VPAT you need based on who you’re selling to:
| Selling to: | Use: |
|---|---|
| U.S. federal government or other U.S. public-sector agencies | VPAT 2.5 508, which documents compliance with Section 508 requirements |
| Private sector | VPAT 2.5 WCAG, which documents conformance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2, 2.1, and 2.0 |
| Public-sector organizations in the European Union | VPAT 2.5 EU, which documents conformance with EN 301 549, the presumptive standard for European Accessibility Act (EAA) compliance |
| Both U.S and European markets | VPAT 2.5 INT, which combines requirements from VPAT 2.5 508, VPAT 2.5 EU, and VPAT 2.5 WCAG Notes: This version is also best for businesses that want to demonstrate a higher level of WCAG conformance. |
Our approach to VPATs
With 25 years of experience, we take a comprehensive approach to VPATs, combining technical expertise and multi-faceted testing.
We follow a 5-step process:
Understand critical user flows.
Test user flows using a combination of assistive technologies and browsers.
Provide results identifying accessibility issues, with actionable guidance for fixing them.
Partner with your team to support prioritization or troubleshoot complex issues.
Deliver an objective, reliable, fully accessibility VPAT report (ACR).
Trusted by the world’s leading brands
Engage VPAT expertise
With both new and existing contracts on the line, it’s best to approach the VPAT process with an expert partner. A VPAT is a complicated document requiring technical knowledge and multi-faceted testing capabilities.
Improved marketability
A professional VPAT completed by the industry leader demonstrates your commitment to accessibility, making your product more appealing to organizations prioritizing inclusivity.
Ongoing partnership
We provide more than just a one-time VPAT. We help you stay up to date with evolving standards and keep your VPAT current.
Industry-leading expertise
We’re a pioneering force in digital accessibility with a deep understanding of accessibility laws like the ADA, Section 508, WCAG, and EN 301 549.
Increase credibility & trust
We’ve worked with hundreds of digital product vendors to produce reliable, accurate ACRs. We complete more than 600 VPATs annually.
Customized support
Our customers benefit from tailored guidance aligned to their unique products. From identifying target standards to remediating issues, we’ll support you at every stage of the VPAT process.
Prove product accessibility, unlock new business.
Ready to obtain a credible VPAT that supports procurement, compliance, and customer retention? Our accessibility experts are ready to help.
FAQs
Is a VPAT mandatory?
Completing a VPAT is not mandated by law; however, it’s common for organizations purchasing third-party products to require a VPAT report, or ACR, from potential vendors. So, while obtaining a VPAT report is not necessary for legal compliance, it may be necessary to sell your product.
What are the different types of VPAT?
Different editions of the VPAT are available to help organizations document conformance with different laws and standards. The most recent VPAT version, VPAT 2.5, includes four editions:
- VPAT 2.5 WCAG: used to demonstrate conformance with WCAG
- VPAT 2.5 EU: used to demonstrate conformance with EN 301 549, the harmonized European standard
- VPAT 2.5 508: used to demonstrate conformance with the standards in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
- VPAT 2.5 INT: used to demonstrate conformance with all three standards previously listed
Do I need a VPAT?
If your organization sells digital products to U.S. government organizations, you will almost certainly need to obtain a VPAT report to meet your buyers’ procurement requirements. However, even if you sell primarily to private-sector businesses, your buyers may request a completed VPAT to ensure that purchasing your products won’t jeopardize their accessibility and compliance goals. Obtaining a VPAT report is a wise decision for any B2B or B2G product company aiming to maximize their market share and protect existing customer relationships.
Is VPAT the same as WCAG?
The acronyms VPAT and WCAG refer to two separate but related resources. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a set of standards for creating accessible digital experiences. A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template, or VPAT, is a template that is used to document the accessibility of digital products. A VPAT allows an organization to report on how well their product conforms with established standards, including WCAG. So while a VPAT is not the same as WCAG, understanding WCAG is an important part of completing a VPAT.