There are a lot of long, boring articles on the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT), but we’ll at least take care of that first strike in this post. Here are 15 bullet points that will take you from knowing nothing about VPATs to getting a solid B on any VPAT test.
Rock Solid Foundation
- A VPAT is just a template that we fill in. Once it’s complete, it becomes an Accessibility Conformance Report.
- There are four editions of the VPAT, and you need to choose the one that fits your buyer’s requirements.
- VPATs aren’t certification of accessibility (e.g., they don’t certify your product or service is WCAG 2.1 AA conformant). Think of them as an accounting.
- Anyone can fill in a VPAT, but that doesn’t mean you should. Discerning buyers will ask who issued your ACR.
- You can’t accurately fill out a VPAT without an audit (a real audit, not a scan or quick test).
Ends Poorly
- If there’s nothing in the remarks and explanations column, your ACR is near worthless.
- Overlay widget vendors sell VPAT services, but they’re viewed as a joke in the accessibility industry (and procurement agents are usually aware of this). Go with a reputable provider who doesn’t sell widgets.
- If you know your product or service’s accessibility is horrible, you won’t seriously be considered for purchase unless the buyer isn’t considering accessibility.
- Nothing automated (e.g., scan, widget) should be featured when selling VPAT services.
Good Choice
- It’s usually not a deal breaker (for purchase) if you have a few accessibility issues.
- When you order VPAT services from some providers (like us), you can pause the process before the ACR issuance so you can fix issues beforehand.
- Definitely include a mobile environment in your audit if your product or service is accessed on mobile.
- An ACR can have legal implications so make sure it’s accurate and complete. Don’t alter it after the fact.
- If you’re about to release a new version of your product, wait for that new version to get started or you’ll need to get another ACR.
That’s 15 fast bullet points that just made you a better buyer.
Download our VPATs in Plain English Guide (PDF) to learn more (it takes just a few minutes to read).
And let us know if we can help you with a VPAT/ACR. Just send us a message and we’ll be right with you.
