The WCAG edition of the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template matches what buyers actually ask for. When procurement agents request accessibility documentation, they reference WCAG more than any other standard.
| Factor | WCAG Edition |
|---|---|
| Best For | Education, healthcare, enterprise, and mixed-market sales |
| Version Options | WCAG 2.0, 2.1, or 2.2 at Level A, AA, or AAA |
| Not Recommended For | Exclusive federal sales or European public sector contracts |
The Procurement Reality
The more clients we talk to, the more we see VPAT/ACR requirements in different demographics. Education, healthcare, and government dominate, but accessibility documentation is quickly becoming a mandatory requirement in other sectors within the private sector.
Schools and universities write WCAG into their technology requirements. A district evaluating learning management systems references WCAG 2.1 AA in the RFP. A university purchasing collaboration software does the same. These institutions face legal obligations under Section 504, the ADA, and state laws. WCAG gives them a measurable standard to enforce.
Enterprises building vendor management programs land in the same place. Their legal and compliance teams need a technical benchmark. WCAG provides one that auditors, lawyers, and procurement specialists all recognize.
Healthcare, finance, and SaaS companies selling to these buyers inherit the requirement. No WCAG ACR means no serious consideration.
Version Selection
Three WCAG versions exist. The WCAG VPAT edition enables you to choose whichever version is best for your situation.
WCAG 2.1 AA is what most of our clients opt for. WCAG 2.1 AA is the technical standard incorporated or adopted for virtually all digital accessibility laws and regulations.
WCAG 2.0 AA remains referenced in older procurement documents and federal requirements through Section 508. Some buyers never updated their language.
WCAG 2.2 AA added six new success criteria in late 2023. WCAG 2.2 is the present version, but it is slightly more difficult to reach full conformance with and most often isn’t required.
When the RFP specifies a version, match it. When it doesn’t, 2.1 AA serves as a good default.
AI Generated VPATs
Accessibility Tracker users can generate WCAG VPATs directly from audit data. Upload findings, map them to success criteria, and export a draft Voluntary Product Accessibility Template ready for review.
Manual review remains essential before issuing any ACR, but automated generation significantly reduces the time necessary to fill in a VPAT.
What the WCAG Edition Doesn’t Cover
The WCAG VPAT edition focuses exclusively on Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. It doesn’t address Section 508 hardware requirements or EN 301 549 criteria beyond what WCAG covers.
Federal agencies require Section 508 documentation specifically. The 508 edition incorporates WCAG 2.0 AA but adds software interoperability, support documentation, and functional performance criteria.
European public sector buyers increasingly reference EN 301 549 as the European Accessibility Act takes hold. The EU edition addresses their requirements.
Organizations selling across all these markets sometimes choose the INT edition. It consolidates WCAG, Section 508, and EN 301 549 into one Accessibility Conformance Report. More expensive, but eliminates juggling multiple documents.
FAQ
Why do most buyers request WCAG instead of Section 508? Section 508 applies specifically to U.S. federal procurement. WCAG applies broadly across education, enterprise, healthcare, and international markets. More buyers fall into the second category.
Can I use a WCAG ACR for federal contracts? Federal agencies require the Section 508 edition. A WCAG ACR alone usually won’t satisfy federal procurement requirements.
What if the buyer doesn’t specify a WCAG version? Default to WCAG 2.1 AA or WCAG 2.2 AA if you’re more ambitious. WCAG 2.1 AA is the implied or actual requirement under most digital accessibility laws and regulations.
Help
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