What is a VPAT report?
A VPAT report, also known as a VPAT accessibility conformance report (ACR), is a duly filled out voluntary product accessibility template (VPAT) explaining how an information and communication technology (ICT) product or service such as software, hardware, electronic content, or support documentation conform to the established standards and guidelines for ICT accessibility.
As can be seen by reviewing a VPAT report example, beyond addressing the accessibility of an ICT product or service, an ACR contains the pertinent information about a product or service such as the name of the product, product description, applicable standards, and the evaluation methods used, among others.
In the marketplace, the term “VPAT” dominates questions about a VPAT ACR. Because a VPAT is simply a blank document, using the term “VPAT” instead of VPAR ACR or report is technically incorrect.
According to the information provided on the Section508.gov website, there are other possible methods to complete an ACR, but the most common way an ACR is compiled is by using the VPAT.
How do you adjudge that a VPAT ACR has attained the requisite passing score?
It is noteworthy to stress that VPAT certification is not a pass-or-fail undertaking. However, it is critical to ensure that the accessibility VPAT you use to complete your VPAT certification is completely filled out with quality information that allows you and your buyers to have easy conversations.
Every edition of the VPAT document has provisions that require complete filling out with relevant information obtained from a credible, comprehensive VPAT assessment. Whereas the people who review VPAT reports do not have a particular VPAT passing score with which they rate the reports, every edition of the VPAT form asks questions that help provide the VPAT scoring framework for ICT products and services whose VPAT compliance is secured using that particular form.
The minimum VPAT passing score
The minimum VPAT passing score or the minimum essential information that a VPAT ACR must contain includes the following:
- The VPAT ACR title
- The version of the VPAT used to create the VPAT report as well as the applicable standards: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 or 2.1, the Revised Section 508, or the European Union’s EN 301 549.
- The name of the product or service and their versions, where applicable
- The description of the product or service
- The date of publication
- The contact information of the vendor or manufacturer
- The methods used in carrying out the attendant VPAT assessment
Using a VPAT report example to understand the dynamics of how the VPAT scoring is done by establishing how the various provisions of the VPAT document are accurately and completely filled out will enable you to appreciate the importance of carefully following the instructions in the VPAT form as you complete the document.
From the VPAT report example, you will be able to single out how the important VPAT scoring best practices that the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) recommend be adhered to in creating a VPAT ACR.
Best practice toward achieving a high VPAT passing score
According to ITI, a VPAT ACR will have a higher passing score if it encompasses the following best practices:
- Inclusion of a branded header with a logo or the organization’s information
- Legal disclaimers
- Important notes that are applicable to the product, service, or report, including useful links and product or service descriptions
- If the VPAT ACR is a revision of an earlier version, the date changes.
Overall, the most important part of a VPAT ACR is usually the filled-out table, which addresses the conformance of the VPAT-certified product or service with the applicable accessibility standards. It is essentially the hallmark of attaining favorable VPAT scoring.
For each criterion under the applicable accessibility standards, a vendor or manufacturer needs to state whether the product or service supports, partially supports, does not support, or is not applicable. That is how the levels of conformance are described in the VPAT ACR.
It is important to keep in mind that a VPAT ACR is not an audit verdict. An audit usually delves deeper into greater detail than what entails the creation of a VPAT report. But if you conduct your VPAT ACR writing after undertaking a comprehensive VPAT accessibility audit, getting your ACR will be at a much lower cost, if not included with the price of the audit.
It is advisable to seek third-party help with VPAT report creation
It is always considered optimal to have an independent VPAT accessibility expert to issue your VPAT ACR as opposed to creating your ACR in-house. If you want to remain competitive in 2023, you can't afford for the VPAT ACRs you send to procurement departments to be viewed as lacking credibility and objectivity.
Unless you have an in-house team consisting of technical specialists in accessibility, you won’t be able to produce good VPAT ACRs that can secure you contracts and win you big businesses as well as protect you from possible accessibility non-compliance risks.
Get help creating your VPAT ACR from a reputable third-party specialist
There are reputable third-party consultancies that can help you issue accurate VPAR ACRs for your business's or organization’s ICT products or services. Given that many agencies are nowadays offering VPAT ACR services, you need to vet the providers so that you get one that will provide credible VPAT certification services.
Talk to us at (626) 486-2201 to arrange a free consultation and assistance with a VPAT report example to learn from or a Quick VPAT Certification Quote.
