What Is a VPAT? Understanding the Meaning and Value of the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template

What Does VPAT Mean? 

VPAT stands for Voluntary Product Accessibility Template^TM. A VPAT is a standardized document that outlines the level of accessibility of a product or service for people with disabilities. 

The United States federal government created VPATs to help organizations follow Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Today, VPATs help businesses demonstrate the accessibility of their websites, software, and other information and communication technology (ICT) products.  

Once completed for a product, the VPAT becomes an official document called an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR). 

Why Use a VPAT? 

If your business plans to work with the U.S. federal government or its contractors, you’ll likely need to complete a VPAT. The VPAT documents how well your product supports accessible content and meets the needs of people with disabilities. 

Even if your business does not work with government agencies, creating a VPAT offers major benefits: 

• It is an industry-standard way to report conformance against key US and international accessibility standards. 
• It shows that your organization understands accessibility for people with disabilities. 
• It helps you meet the needs of state and local government clients. 
• It helps you reach potential customers who need accessible digital products. 

Who Should Use a VPAT? 

You should consider creating a VPAT if: 

• You sell software, SaaS, or digital services to government agencies 
• You want to reach state or local government buyers 
• Your team is building content intended to be accessible to people using assistive technology 
• You want to improve accessibility in web pages, documents, social media posts, and other platforms 

What Makes a VPAT Valuable? 

A VPAT is valuable because it connects what digital product vendors offer with what prospective customers need: clarity, trust, and assurance of accessibility. 

For Prospective Customers: 

A VPAT gives buyers (especially in government, education, and large enterprises) a reliable way to evaluate accessibility. It: 

• Helps them confidently compare products using a standard format. 
• Makes accessibility visible and transparent throughout the procurement process. 
• Reduces their risk of selecting non-compliant or inaccessible products. 

When a VPAT is accurate, it tells customers: “This company has done the work. This product is ready to support all users.” 

For Digital Product Vendors: 

For vendors, the VPAT serves as a competitive advantage. It: 

• Opens access to public sector contracts where a VPAT is often required 
• Demonstrates transparency and accountability in accessibility practices 
• Highlights a commitment to serving all users, which can positively influence procurement decisions 

Additionally, the VPAT creation process often reveals accessibility barriers, providing vendors with the opportunity to improve their product and user experience before customers find these issues themselves. 

The VPAT Legal Landscape 

The need for VPATs is reinforced by multiple accessibility laws and standards. 

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) originally did not specify accessibility requirements for digital products. However, the 2024 updates to Title II clarified that state and local governments must ensure digital services meet accessibility requirements.  

This creates uncertainty about how to define accessible content. While the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is the most widely accepted standard. It can be open to interpretation, and different versions of WCAG may be required for various sectors. For example, under ADA Title II, conformance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the standard for accessibility. A VPAT can help demonstrate how your digital product meets those criteria. 

A VPAT helps solve this issue by reporting against one or more accessibility standards. It allows you to report your product’s conformance against Section 508, WCAG, and/or the European Standard EN 301 549. This process allows organizations to reliably measure and report their compliance with applicable accessibility standards. 

The process of testing a product to produce a VPAT often uncovers accessibility issues that might be missed otherwise, such as: 

• Missing or inadequate alternative text for meaningful images 
• Poor keyboard navigation 
• User interface controls that are inaccurately presented to assistive technology, like screen readers 
• Low color contrast that makes text hard to read 
• Videos without captions or transcripts 

These issues can affect both user experience and compliance.  

Are VPATs Required in the European Union? 

The European Accessibility Act does not require VPATs. However, they are a helpful way to document the level of conformance of your digital content and products with the EN 301 549 standard. This European standard outlines accessibility requirements for ICT products covered by EAA, including: 

• Hardware 
• Software 
• Mobile apps 
• Web pages 
• Digital documents 

EN 301 549 supports rules such as the Web Accessibility Directive. Public and private organizations in the European Union (EU) use this standard when making purchasing decisions.  

If your organization is creating RFPs or undergoing an accessibility audit, a completed VPAT 2.5 EU can serve as a helpful reference. 

VPAT Versions 

The current VPAT template comes in four versions: 

• VPAT 2.5 508. U.S. Section 508 compliance 
• VPAT 2.5 WCAG. WCAG 2.1 or ISO/IEC 40500 standards 
• VPAT 2.5 EU. Designed for EN 301 549 (EU) 
• VPAT 2.5 INT. Covers all major standards 

Each version targets different regulations, enabling organizations to report accessibility to various buyer groups clearly. 

Common Challenges with VPATs 

Creating a VPAT requires a deep understanding of digital accessibility. Teams must thoroughly test their products and clearly report how they meet accessibility requirements. This means looking for accessible features that are easy to use and navigate. 

The VPAT template helps organize accessibility information, but it can still include vague or unclear answers. If a team isn’t honest or careful, the VPAT might make the product seem more accessible than it truly is. This risk increases when organizations lack the experience to fully assess or document accessibility conformance.  

In many cases, purchasers reviewing a VPAT may not have the expertise or motivation to verify the details. Procurement teams often accept a vendor’s claims and trust that the vendor has properly tested the product. This makes the accuracy in the report even more critical.  

Interpreting a VPAT also takes skill. Not all clients, procurement officers, or decision-makers are familiar with the technical language or testing protocols used in digital accessibility evaluations. Vague or misleading entries can easily lead to misunderstandings or missed issues.  

That’s why many companies choose to work with experienced consultants like TPGi. Working with experts helps make sure the VPAT matches how the product performs in real situations. It also builds trust with potential customers and lowers the risk of issues during audits or procurement. 

Need Help with Your VPAT? 

VPATs are more than just a form. They show that your product or service meets necessary accessibility standards in the U.S., the EU, and other regions. 

Completing a VPAT: 

• Clarifies your product’s accessibility 
• Reduces legal and procurement risks 
• Helps you create content that serves all users better 

TPGi helps organizations complete VPATs aligned with Section 508, WCAG, and EN 301 549. Whether you need a comprehensive Accessibility Conformance Report or assistance in interpreting technical standards, our experts can provide the help you need. 

Contact us today to ensure your VPAT is accurate, effective, and ready for your next Request for Proposal (RFP).