Introduction
As digital accessibility becomes a priority for organizations across industries, understanding a VPAT is essential. Whether you're a software vendor, government contractor, educational institution, or enterprise, a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) helps communicate how well a digital product conforms to recognized accessibility standards.
A completed VPAT results in an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR), giving buyers and stakeholders valuable information about a product's accessibility features. Understanding the relationship between VPATs and ACRs can help organizations make informed purchasing decisions and demonstrate their commitment to inclusive digital experiences.
What Is a VPAT?
A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is a standardized document used by vendors to evaluate and report how accessible their digital products are. It provides a structured way to document conformance with established accessibility standards and guidelines.
Rather than serving as a certification, a VPAT is a reporting framework that explains how a product meets—or does not meet—specific accessibility requirements.
Organizations commonly prepare VPATs for:
- Software applications
- Websites
- Mobile apps
- Hardware products
- Digital platforms
- Cloud-based services
For a more in-depth explanation of accessibility documentation, explore this article on what is a VPAT
What Is an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR)?
An Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) is the completed version of a VPAT. After evaluating a product against applicable accessibility standards, the findings are documented in the ACR.
The report typically includes:
- Applicable accessibility standards
- Conformance levels
- Product testing results
- Known accessibility limitations
- Explanations for each evaluation criterion
If you're unsure how ACRs differ from VPATs, this guide about Accessibility Conformance Reports provides a clear breakdown.
Why VPATs Are Important
Support Informed Purchasing Decisions
Government agencies, universities, and large organizations often require accessibility documentation during the procurement process.
A VPAT allows decision-makers to compare products and assess whether they align with accessibility requirements before making a purchase.
Demonstrate Accessibility Commitment
Providing a VPAT shows that an organization has taken steps to evaluate accessibility and communicate findings transparently.
Organizations such as BarrierBreak help businesses improve accessibility compliance through expert consulting, audits, testing, and accessibility solutions.
Encourage Inclusive Design
Preparing a VPAT often highlights opportunities for improving accessibility, encouraging organizations to make their digital products more inclusive.
Common Accessibility Standards Referenced in VPATs
Depending on the intended audience and market, a VPAT may reference one or more accessibility standards.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
WCAG provides internationally recognized recommendations for making digital content more accessible to people with disabilities.
Many organizations rely on guidance from BarrierBreak to better understand accessibility standards and implement inclusive digital experiences.
Section 508
Organizations that work with U.S. federal agencies often evaluate products against Section 508 accessibility requirements.
To understand how Section 508 relates to VPAT documentation, see this resource on VPAT compliance.
European Accessibility Standards
Some VPAT editions also support reporting aligned with European accessibility requirements for products and services.
Who Needs a VPAT?
A VPAT is valuable for many organizations, including:
- Software developers
- SaaS providers
- Government contractors
- Educational technology companies
- Healthcare technology providers
- Enterprise software vendors
Even when not legally required, maintaining an up-to-date VPAT demonstrates a proactive approach to accessibility.
Organizations seeking accessibility expertise often partner with BarrierBreak for accessibility testing, training, and compliance support.
Best Practices for Creating a VPAT
Conduct Comprehensive Accessibility Testing
Use a combination of automated tools, manual testing, and assistive technology testing to evaluate your product thoroughly.
Keep Documentation Current
As products evolve through updates and new features, accessibility reports should also be reviewed and updated.
Be Transparent
Clearly document areas where accessibility support is complete, partial, or not yet implemented. Honest reporting helps customers understand current capabilities and future improvement plans.
Involve Accessibility Experts
Working with experienced accessibility professionals can improve the quality and accuracy of your VPAT and ACR. You can also review this guide on creating a VPAT and ACR to better understand the documentation process.
Learn More About VPATs and ACRs
Understanding the differences between a VPAT and an Accessibility Conformance Report can simplify the accessibility documentation process. For a more detailed explanation of how these documents work together and why they matter, visit BarrierBreak – All About VPATs and ACRs.
The guide provides additional insights into accessibility reporting, conformance standards, and best practices for organizations looking to improve digital accessibility.
Conclusion
A VPAT is an essential tool for organizations committed to digital accessibility. By documenting how products align with recognized accessibility standards, VPATs and their resulting Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACRs) help buyers make informed decisions while encouraging greater transparency and inclusivity.
Whether you're developing software, procuring digital solutions, or strengthening your organization's accessibility strategy, understanding VPATs is an important step toward creating technology that is usable by everyone. To learn more, visit All About VPATs and ACRs and explore additional accessibility resources from BarrierBreak.