Voluntary Product
Accessibility Template
(VPAT)
What is a VPAT?
A VPAT is a template to standardize the documentation of accessibility conformance of a website, web application, mobile application, etc. Many companies require vendors to provide Accessibility Conformance Reports using the VPAT templates during the procurement process.
The VPAT meets Section 508 requirements and much more. ACRs (VPATs) are a valuable tool for conveying accessibility conformance across industries and accessibility regulations
Why UserWay for VPAT assessments?
UserWay’s assessments in combination with a VPAT performed by our team of accessibility experts gives you an accurate understanding of the accessibility of your digital properties. The VPAT can then be shared demonstrating your commitment to accessibility.
The Accessibility Audit: What to Expect
Before completing your VPAT, UserWay performs a detailed Accessibility Auditto assess your digital properties current level of accessibility. Once the audit is completed, an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) is created using the VPAT template. The ACR documents , which shows which accessibility standards you meet along with any accessibility barriers that may exist.
How VPATs Relate to ACRs and Accessibility Regulations
A VPAT is often mistaken for a completed product Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR). However the VPAT is a template used to create an ACR. In simpler terms, a completed VPAT is an ACR. There may also be some confusion about how VPATs relate to Accessibility Regulations. A VPAT is a standardized way to report conformance with accessibility regulations for WCAG, Section 508, and EN 301 549.
INT (International) Edition: This edition incorporates all three standards: WCAG, Section 508, and EN 301 549 standards.
Why is a VPAT Template Crucial for My Organization?
- A VPAT is required to sell digital goods or services to any federal organization
- The VPAT is widely recognized format for ACR fulfillment
- Correct ACR completion can prevent possible legal issues
- Using a VPAT to report your conformance to accessibility guidelines will add value to your offerings
What Kind of Organizations Require VPAT Certification?
It's advisable to do frequent reevaluations for newer products, as they typically change frequently. In addition, annual reevaluations are a recommended best practice.
U.S. federal agencies and affiliated businesses and organizations require VPAT compliance. The following organizations must meet respective guidelines and use a VPAT to report their accessibility status:
- U.S. government agencies
- Federally subsidized institutions
- Agencies under government contract
- Companies that market to government agencies
Rapid vs. Validated VPAT: What’s the Difference?
In order to generate a VPAT, a thorough review of the current state of your site or application’s accessibility and compliance needs to be manually reviewed via testing from the perspective of a disabled user.
Rapid VPAT
- Fast
- Reduced Cost
A rapid VPAT is done with a singular manual audit of accessibility standards and delivered with initial audit findings. The VPAT will then reflect any discovered failures or compliance issues related to accessibility as they exist upon initial testing and review.
Delivery can be completed within 5 weeks of kick off and is for organizations under extreme time limitations - as it removes internal source code fixes and follow up audit validation. Rapid VPATs are also cheaper than validated VPATs as the secondary round of manual audits is not within scope.
Steps:
Scope Delivery
1. Scope Delivery
Scope delivery to UserWay kicks off the manual audit of your application or site.
Audit
2. Audit
Audit results are completed within 4-6 weeks depending on project size.
Technical review
3. Technical review
Delivery immediately follows with a comprehensive technical review.
VPAT Generation
4. VPAT Generation
Using audit results, UserWay would generate a VPAT (or ACR - Accessibility Conformance Report) that reflects the current state of the latest audit results.
Final Delivery
5. Final Delivery
Audit results and VPAT report are delivered. Rapid VPAT results reflect any accessibility issues captured in the audit results.
Validated VPAT
- 100% WCAG Conformance Report
- Comprehensive
For organizations looking to generate a VPAT pristine report that reflects a high level of accessibility and compliance, validated VPATs are the only way to produce competitive and error free reports to prove total remediation.
A nearly flawless report of full accessibility functionality and legal compliance will be exceptionally competitive, especially in comparison to other non-validated results. Validation would also help to formalize internal best practices around code review and accessibility efforts. Results in a fully accessible site or app and improvements to development best practices.
Steps:
Scope Delivery
1. Scope Delivery
Scope delivery to UserWay kicks off the manual audit of your application or site.
Audit
2. Audit
Audit results are completed within 4-6 weeks depending on project size
Technical Review
3. Technical Review
Comprehensive technical review between UserWay and your internal dev team
Audit Validation
4. Audit Validation
Audit validation from UserWay would be conducted (within 3 months of initial delivery)
VPAT Generation
5. VPAT Generation
VPAT is generated from audit validation results
Delivery
6. Delivery
Delivery and secondary technical review
Frequently Asked Questions
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