No, VPATs are not intended for websites, generally. VPATs are for ICT products and services. Let’s look two authoritative sources on this:
The ITI Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (ITI VPAT®) is a free template that translates accessibility requirements and standards (e.g., in Section 508 and other legal frameworks) into actionable testing criteria for products and services.
— ITIC.org
All information and communication technology (ICT) procured, developed, maintained, or used by Federal agencies must be accessible. ICT includes software, hardware, electronic content, support documentation and services.
If you manufacture, build, design, create, teach, or resell ICT products or services, you are an ICT Vendor. To do business with the Federal government, you need to demonstrate that your ICT product or service is accessible and conforms to the Section 508 Standards.
— Section508.gov
Note: A completed VPAT becomes an ACR or Accessibility Conformance Report.
However, this doesn’t mean that VPATs can’t be used for websites. Here are scenarios where a VPAT for a website (or web pages) holds true to the products and services use.
- the website itself is a product
- the website acts as a service
- the website (or web pages) is a part of or necessary for use of a product or service (e.g., documentation, instructions)
Even though VPATs are occasionally used for websites that don’t classify as a product or service (or part of either), this isn’t the intended purpose.
Section508.gov does name electronic content, which obviously can be a website, but when you look at the additional context on Section 508, including the paragraph that follows in our quote, it’s clear products and services are the focus. And our interpretation is that electronic content is added to also account for scenarios like the ones we mentioned.
Ultimately, there is no requirement or rule we can find that limits the use of VPATs regarding websites, but they’re really not for websites.
If you’re nevertheless seeking documentation for the accessibility of your website, the following can work well (assuming a reputable provider issues the documents):
- Audit report
- Conformance Statement
- Provider Certification
If you’d like help with documentation, feel free to message us and we’ll reply very soon.
You can also email me directly at kris@accessible.org.
