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  • VPAT vs ACR: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters

    VPAT vs ACR: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters

    If you’ve ever been asked for a VPAT or an ACR and felt your stomach drop, you’re not alone. These acronyms often appear in RFPs, procurement conversations, and compliance checklists—and can leave even experienced teams scrambling to figure out what’s actually being requested. Understanding the difference between a VPAT and an ACR isn’t just technical trivia. It can mean the difference between winning a contract, avoiding legal risk, and showing that your organization takes accessibility seriously.

    This guide breaks it all down: what a VPAT is, what an ACR is, how they differ, and how to create them with confidence.

    Absolutely — here’s that section updated with the requested subheader formatting:

    What Is a VPAT?

    A VPAT—short for Voluntary Product Accessibility Template—is a standardized document created by the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) to report how well a digital product meets accessibility standards like WCAG, Section 508, and EN 301 549.

    Think of the VPAT as a structured questionnaire. It asks you to evaluate your product feature by feature and indicate whether each requirement is supported, partially supported, or not supported, along with explanations. The most recent version is VPAT 2.5, which comes in multiple editions to meet different regulatory needs: WCAG, 508 (for U.S. federal agencies), EU (for European procurement), and INT (for global organizations).

    A Typical VPAT Includes

    • Product name, version, and date of evaluation
    • Standards referenced (WCAG 2.1, Section 508, EN 301 549)
    • Testing methods used
    • Tables showing conformance levels for each criterion
    • Brief remarks or explanations where needed

    It’s important to note that the VPAT itself is voluntary—there’s no federal law requiring you to complete one unless it’s part of a procurement process or client request. And because VPATs are self-reported, their quality depends on your honesty and expertise. A VPAT is an essential starting point but doesn’t guarantee real-world usability for people with disabilities. Usability testing and independent audits remain critical for a complete accessibility picture.

    What Is an ACR?

    An ACR, or Accessibility Conformance Report, is the completed version of a VPAT. If the VPAT is the blank template, the ACR is the filled-in, actionable report. It’s a snapshot of your product’s accessibility at a given point in time, often after thorough testing.

    Where the VPAT provides structure, the ACR provides substance. It includes:

    • Specific findings for each standard
    • Narrative explanations for partial or non-support
    • Workarounds or mitigation strategies
    • Planned remediation timelines

    How Testing Builds Trust

    The strongest ACRs are grounded in a variety of testing methods, not just automated scans. Manual code reviews can catch nuanced issues that tools miss. Testing with assistive technologies like screen readers, magnifiers, or voice input tools reveals how real users navigate your product. Including results from usability sessions with people who have disabilities can also add powerful credibility. Documenting these methods in your ACR shows buyers and procurement teams that your results are thorough, reliable, and rooted in real-world experience.

    Comparing VPAT vs. ACR: Core Differences

    Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, VPATs and ACRs play different roles:

    • Template vs. Report: The VPAT is the empty template; the ACR is the completed, shareable report.
    • Level of Detail: A VPAT lists conformance levels, but an ACR goes deeper with context, user impact notes, and remediation plans.
    • Who Creates Them: VPATs are often drafted internally by product or compliance teams. ACRs may be internally created or validated by third-party auditors to add credibility.
    • Audience: VPATs are useful for internal planning and tracking. ACRs are intended for procurement officers, enterprise buyers, and compliance teams who need assurance that accessibility has been tested and documented thoroughly.

    This distinction is crucial—submitting only a VPAT when an RFP requests an ACR could disqualify you from consideration.

    Best Practices for Creating VPATs and ACRs

    Getting these documents right takes more than filling out a form. Follow these practices to create credible and effective reports:

    • Use the Latest Template: Work from VPAT 2.5 or later to align with current standards like WCAG 2.1 or 2.2.
    • Be Transparent About Gaps: Overstating conformance can hurt credibility. Clearly indicate “Partially Supports” or “Does Not Support” when needed, and explain why.
    • Add Detailed Remarks: Go beyond a yes/no answer. Include context on who is impacted, how severe the issue is, and whether a fix is planned.
    • Document Testing Methods: Specify whether testing involved automated tools, manual reviews, assistive technology testing, or user testing. This adds weight to your ACR findings.
    • Update Regularly: Accessibility isn’t one-and-done. Refresh your VPAT and ACR with each major release or remediation cycle so they reflect the current state of your product.

    Procurement-ready Checklist

    • Product name, version, and date are clearly listed
    • Standards cited (WCAG, 508, EN 301 549) match buyer requirements
    • Conformance ratings are accurate and supported with evidence
    • Testing methods and tools are documented in plain language
    • Known issues, workarounds, and fix timelines are included
    • Jargon is avoided—language is clear for non-technical readers
    • Document is reviewed and refreshed with each major product update

    Conclusion: Building Confidence Through Transparency

    The VPAT gives you the structure, but the ACR brings it to life. Together, they are essential for demonstrating conformance, preparing for procurement, and showing that you take inclusion seriously.

    At 216digital, we view accessibility documentation not as a burden, but as a pathway to trust and opportunity. A well-crafted ACR helps you thrive in competitive markets by proving your commitment to accessibility and inclusion.

    If you’d like guidance on creating either document—or aligning both with the latest standards—schedule an ADA briefing with 216digital. Our team will walk you through every step, from drafting a VPAT to publishing a credible ACR, helping you move from paperwork to real-world accessibility.

    Greg McNeil

    September 11, 2025
    Legal Compliance, Testing & Remediation
    Accessibility, ACR, ADA Compliance, Legal compliance, Section 508, VPAT, WCAG, Web Accessibility, Website Accessibility
  • Do You Need a Web Accessibility Audit or a VPAT?

    Do You Need a Web Accessibility Audit or a VPAT?

    Digital compliance isn’t one-size-fits-all. Depending on your organization’s goals, you may need an accessibility audit, a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT®), or both. The real challenge is matching the deliverable to the job in front of you. If you’re navigating ADA, Section 508, WCAG, EN 301 549, or enterprise procurement requirements, understanding how audits and VPATs differ—and how they work together—can save time, reduce risk, and strengthen your position in competitive markets.

    This guide explains what accessibility audits and VPATs are, how they differ, when to use each, and how they can complement one another.

    What Is an Accessibility Audit?

    An accessibility audit is a deep, hands-on evaluation of your digital product—website, web app, mobile app, software, or document—against recognized standards such as WCAG 2.1/2.2 Level AA and, when applicable, Section 508. Although automation has a role, a credible audit centers on expert manual testing and real-world use.

    A typical audit blends three modes of evaluation that build on one another:

    • Automated triage to surface easy-to-spot patterns (e.g., missing alt text, color contrast flags, form input associations) and help size the work.
    • Expert manual review of templates, components, and user flows against WCAG success criteria, including focus management, semantics/landmarks, ARIA usage, error handling, and dynamic states.
    • Assistive technology and keyboard testing to validate actual usability—screen readers (e.g., NVDA/JAWS/VoiceOver), zoom and reflow, high-contrast modes, and full keyboard operation.

    Strong audits don’t stop at a list of defects. They provide actionable guidance: prioritized findings, severity and user impact, code-level recommendations, component-level patterns, and a retest plan. Many organizations also incorporate user testing with people with disabilities to capture lived-experience insights that technical checks alone can miss. The result is a roadmap your team can execute—not just a scorecard.

    What Is a VPAT?

    A VPAT® is a standardized disclosure that becomes your Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR). It doesn’t test; it reports what testing found. Each criterion is mapped to a status—Supports, Partially Supports, or Does Not Support—with remarks that define versions, platforms, assistive-technology pairings, and known limits. Choose the correct edition (WCAG, Revised Section 508, EN 301 549, International), date-stamp the ACR, and clearly state the product and environment scope. A defensible VPAT is evidence-backed—ideally by a recent audit plus targeted verification on the declared platforms.

    In short: an audit discovers and validates; a VPAT declares and documents.

    Accessibility Audit vs VPAT: Key Differences

    AspectAccessibility AuditVPAT (ACR)
    Primary purposeIdentify issues; deliver remediation guidance; validate usabilityCommunicate conformance status to buyers and regulators
    AudienceInternal teams: product, engineering, design, complianceExternal stakeholders: procurement, clients, regulators
    FormatNarrative report with prioritized findings and fixesStandardized template leading to an ACR with criterion-by-criterion statements
    EvidenceManual/AT testing, sometimes user testing with people with disabilities, plus automationSummaries of conformance based on testing evidence
    TimingBest before launch/redesign, after significant releases, or upon risk eventsBest during RFPs, renewals, market entry, or when a contract requires it
    OutcomeImproved accessibility and user experienceProcurement-ready disclosure and contractual clarity
    Update cadenceWith each major release or accessibility milestoneWhenever scope, features, or conformance materially change

    With the differences in view, here’s how to use each deliverable at the right moment.

    When to Have an Accessibility Audit

    An audit should come before you make broad claims of compliance. It is the groundwork that ensures your product meets the standards you plan to cite.

    Consider commissioning an audit when you are:

    • Preparing for launch or a major redesign. Early findings are cheaper to fix and easier to standardize into reusable components.
    • Responding to risk. If you’ve received a complaint, demand letter, or internal escalation, an audit clarifies actual exposure and prioritizes remediation.
    • Improving product quality. Teams aiming to raise UX quality for everyone—faster task completion, fewer errors, better forms—use audits to remove barriers that frustrate all users, not only those with disabilities.
    • Planning a VPAT. If a VPAT is on the horizon, a current audit supplies the evidence and remarks you’ll need to make defensible statements.

    Without an audit, a VPAT can drift into guesswork—an avoidable liability in regulated procurement.

    When to Have a VPAT Prepared

    A VPAT becomes essential when you need formal proof of accessibility for sales, purchasing, or funding.

    Typical triggers include:

    • RFPs and vendor onboarding in government, higher education, healthcare, and large enterprise.
    • Contract renewals or marketplace listings where accessibility is non-negotiable.
    • International expansion that introduces EN 301 549 or other jurisdictional requirements.

    Treat the VPAT/ACR as a living document. Update it after major releases, platform additions, or meaningful improvements so procurement teams see a current and accurate picture.


    Decision rule: If an external party will evaluate your conformance (RFP, renewal, marketplace, grant), you’ll need an ACR (VPAT) grounded in a current audit; otherwise start with the audit alone.

    Do You Need Both?

    In regulated or enterprise procurement, the default answer is yes. If you are selling to government, higher education, healthcare, or large enterprises—or you intend to make public conformance claims—you need both an audit and a VPAT (ACR). The audit establishes factual evidence of how the product performs against WCAG/Section 508 in real use. The VPAT communicates that evidence in the standardized format buyers expect.

    As a rule of thumb: use an audit to know; use a VPAT to show. When disclosure is part of sales, renewals, or public listings, sequence your work as audit, remediate, then prepare the VPAT so statements are current, precise, and defensible.

    Once you know when to use each, it helps to see how they reinforce one another.

    How They Reduce Risk Together

    Audits and VPATs mitigate different classes of risk that often compound if handled in isolation. The audit reduces product and legal risk by finding and prioritizing barriers before they become complaints or claims and by providing implementable fixes. It also creates a repeatable testing pattern—templates, flows, and assistive-technology pairings—that your team can reuse release after release.

    The VPAT reduces commercial and contractual risk. It removes friction in procurement, sets accurate expectations about platforms and known limits, and documents the scope under which conformance was verified. Procurement teams look for alignment between your ACR remarks and the audit artifacts. When those line up—versions, dates, and assistive 

    technologies—friction drops and credibility increases. Working together, the audit improves the thing; the VPAT aligns the promise. That alignment closes the gap between user reality and contractual language—the place most disputes arise.

    Practical Scenarios

    Federal RFP: You need both. Commission an audit covering the exact scope in the RFP (versions, browsers, AT). Remediate high-impact issues, verify fixes, then publish a VPAT/ACR that cites that evidence with precise remarks.

    Small e-commerce: Prioritize the audit. Focus on core purchase flows and forms, implement fixes, and establish a light retest cadence. Skip the VPAT until an enterprise buyer or marketplace explicitly requests one.

    University adoption: The buyer will require a VPAT from the vendor. A responsible vendor conducts an audit first, then produces a VPAT grounded in that evidence.

    Monthly SaaS cadence: Establish a rhythm: periodic audits on shared components and critical journeys; targeted verification after impactful changes; VPAT updates tied to material shifts in scope or before major renewals. Keep the VPAT’s scope and dates synchronized with your latest audit window.

    Final Thoughts

    Accessibility audits and VPATs aren’t interchangeable; they serve different, complementary purposes. The audit digs into how your product actually behaves and shows you how to fix issues. The VPAT communicates that conformance in a format procurement teams trust. Organizations that treat the VPAT as living, evidence-based disclosure—and audits as an ongoing quality practice—build trust, reduce risk, and win more consistently.

    Ready to move from claims to confidence? Schedule an ADA briefing with 216digital—we’ll review your product context, prioritize a first sprint, and outline a clear path from audit and remediation to a defensible, procurement-ready ACR.

    Greg McNeil

    September 10, 2025
    Testing & Remediation, Uncategorized
    Accessibility, Accessibility Audit, ADA, custom accessibility audits, VPAT, WCAG, Web Accessibility, Website Accessibility
  • Class Is in Session for Digital Accessibility

    Class Is in Session for Digital Accessibility

    In the first week of school, a parent tried to submit a health form from her phone. The fields weren’t labeled, the keyboard focus jumped, and the “Submit” button never announced itself to her screen reader. Ten minutes later, she gave up—and the nurse never received the update. Small details in the interface had big, human consequences. This is why digital accessibility belongs on the same list as notebooks, logins, and bell schedules.

    Accessibility on campus isn’t only ramps and elevators. The real campus now includes the learning management system, the student information system, online forms, classroom apps, digital textbooks, videos, and PDFs uploaded by teachers. When these touchpoints aren’t designed for everyone, the barriers are invisible but very real. Students miss assignments. Parents miss announcements. Teachers spend late nights wrestling with tools instead of teaching. Administrators field complaints they didn’t anticipate.

    When School Technology Leaves Learners Behind

    For ninth-grader using a screen reader doesn’t just see an untagged PDF as a small annoyance—it’s a wall. When a teacher is posting materials after hours, clear headings and alt text can be the difference between “done” and another late night reformatting. And for families juggling multiple jobs, captions and plain language turn school updates into something everyone can follow on the first read.

    Digital accessibility gives every learner a fair start and lets ability—not the interface—decide the outcome. When a student can tab through an assignment form, a parent can complete it by voice on a phone, and a teacher’s resources read cleanly in NVDA or VoiceOver, learning gets easier for everyone.

    What Digital Accessibility Looks Like in a School Context

    Good accessibility is concrete and testable in the tools schools use every day:

    • Structure and navigation. Pages use semantic headings, lists, and landmarks so assistive tech can move through the outline—not just the visuals. Menus are reachable with a keyboard and the focus is always visible.
    • Forms that behave. Labels are programmatically tied to inputs, errors are described in plain language, and status messages are announced to screen readers.
    • Accessible media. Videos include accurate captions; long recordings offer transcripts. Audio descriptions are available for essential visuals.
    • Documents that travel well. PDFs are tagged with a correct reading order, real headings (not just bigger fonts), and alt text for images; exported DOCX/Slides preserve structure.
    • Consistent components. Buttons act the same across the district site and the LMS; modals trap focus appropriately; alerts are announced.
    • Language that teaches. Instructions avoid jargon, and content is written so a student or caregiver can follow it without specialized knowledge.

    These are the details that turn “a student can technically reach the page” into “a student can actually complete the task.”

    The Power of Accessibility Audits for Schools

    If you want the honest state of your district site or campus platforms, start with an accessibility audit. A strong school-focused audit runs three complementary passes:

    1. Automated scans to surface quick signals—contrast issues, unlabeled buttons, missing form labels, heading misuse.
    2. Expert reviews with real assistive tech (e.g., NVDA/JAWS on Windows, VoiceOver on iOS and macOS) and keyboard-only navigation, mirroring how students and parents actually use the tools.
    3. Task-based flows tied to school outcomes: enroll a student, submit a health form, find an IEP meeting notice, complete a quiz, download a worksheet and read it in a screen reader.

    Automated tools catch a subset of problems; many of the blockers we see in schools—focus traps in portals, ambiguous link text like “Click here,” modals that don’t announce, inaccessible math or charts—require human judgment. The output of a good audit is practical: a ranked list of fixes tied to user impact, so IT and curriculum teams know what to tackle first, what can wait, and how to validate before the next release.

    VPATs and ACRs: What Procurement Really Needs

    After you address material issues, you’ll often need to document where your product or campus tool stands. That’s the role of a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT®) and the resulting Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR)—structured reports that map conformance to standards such as WCAG 2.1 and, where applicable, Section 508.

    For districts and universities, this is a procurement gate. Many will not move forward with an ed-tech vendor unless a current VPAT/ACR is provided and reviewed. A useful report is specific about what conforms and candid about gaps, with timelines and workarounds for instruction. That transparency earns more trust than vague “compliant” claims and helps committees compare solutions on equal footing.

    Treat the audit as the truth-finding step and the VPAT/ACR as the communication layer. One improves the product students touch; the other explains to procurement and digital accessibility coordinators where it stands today.

    Why Audits and VPATs Are Stronger Together (in Education)

    Sequence matters:

    1. Audit first. Identify barriers through expert and task-based testing aligned to real school workflows.
    2. Remediate and retest. Fix code, refine content, update components, re-export documents correctly, and verify behavior with assistive tech.
    3. Document with a VPAT/ACR. Communicate conformance clearly, including known gaps and planned remediation.

    Reversing that order tempts over-promising and erodes credibility with accessibility coordinators, legal counsel, and curriculum leaders. Done in sequence, you earn trust and set a cadence your team can sustain throughout the year.

    Build Digital Accessibility Into the School Year (Without Adding Endless Meetings)

    Lasting progress comes from folding accessibility into normal practice:

    1) Start With High-impact Fixes

     Address keyboard navigation, focus order, alternative text, captions, contrast, and form labels across the district site and LMS. These unblock core tasks quickly.

    2) Equip Every Role.

    • Teachers: short checklists for posting accessible materials (headings, alt text, captioning options, accessible templates).
    • Content specialists: guidance for writing in plain language and structuring documents for export.
    • Developers/IT: patterns in your design system for buttons, modals, alerts, and form components with accessible defaults.
    • Administrators: a simple rubric to evaluate ed-tech tools before adoption.

    3) Bake Testing Into Releases

    Before shipping portal updates or new templates, run a brief keyboard pass, a screen reader pass on key pages, and a contrast check on new UI. Keep it lightweight and repeatable—fifteen minutes can prevent weeks of support tickets.

    4) Treat PDFs and Slides as Instructions, Not Attachments

    Tag reading order, add bookmarks, write alt text, ensure exported files preserve structure, and prefer HTML or native formats when possible. If a document matters for learning, its accessibility matters.

    5) Monitor and Iterate

    School tech evolves constantly. Schedule periodic audits (e.g., pre-semester and mid-year), track accessibility issues like any other quality defect, and update your VPAT/ACR when material changes land.

    Why This Matters for Teaching and Learning

    Accessible technology doesn’t only prevent complaints—it improves learning:

    • A captioned science video helps a deaf student follow along and helps a tired parent review content after a late shift.
    • Clear headings in a history reading help a student with ADHD navigate and return to key sections.
    • A well-labeled quiz with announced status messages reduces anxiety for students using screen readers.
    • Plain-language instructions in the LMS lower the cognitive load for everyone, including multilingual families.

    When digital accessibility is present, students get through important moments without roadblocks, teachers spend more time on pedagogy than troubleshooting, and families feel genuinely included in school life.

    A Long-Term Strategy for Inclusive Schools

    Digital accessibility is strategic infrastructure for education. Districts and campuses that invest in it reach more learners, reduce friction for families, and build trust across classrooms, offices, and board rooms. New terms begin all the time—new semesters, new platforms, new cohorts. Build them to include the people you intend to serve.

    Ready for a concrete plan tailored to your school or district? Schedule an ADA briefing with 216digital. We’ll review your tech stack, content workflow, and procurement goals, then leave you with a prioritized roadmap and clear next steps your team can ship this term.

    Greg McNeil

    September 9, 2025
    Legal Compliance
    Accessibility, How-to, VPAT, WCAG, Web Accessibility, Website Accessibility
  • What Is a VPAT and Why It Matters

    What Is a VPAT and Why It Matters

    Accessibility in technology is about making sure everyone can use digital products, including people with disabilities. It is not only the right thing to do but also a legal requirement for many organizations. When companies create websites, software, or online tools, they need a clear way to show how accessible those products are.

    One common tool for this is called a VPAT, or Voluntary Product Accessibility Template. A VPAT is not a stamp of approval. It does not mean a product is perfect or fully compliant. Instead, it is a clear report that explains how a product meets accessibility rules. In this guide, you will learn what a VPAT is, who needs one, and how to fill it out so others can understand your product’s accessibility.

    What Is a VPAT?

    The Voluntary Product Accessibility Template is a standard form used to explain how accessible a digital product is. It was first created in 2001 by the Information Technology Industry Council to help vendors follow Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Section 508 is a U.S. law that says technology used by federal agencies must be accessible to people with disabilities.

    Since then, the VPAT has grown to cover more rules. Today, it is used to report on Section 508, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and the European accessibility standard called EN 301 549. The latest version is VPAT 2.4, with VPAT 2.5 beginning to be used as well.

    When a VPAT is filled out, it becomes what is called an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR). This report is a guide for buyers and procurement teams. It is important to remember that a VPAT is not a certificate. It is simply a trusted format for sharing accessibility information in a way that can be compared, reviewed, and acted on.

    Who Needs a VPAT?

    VPATs are most often needed by companies that sell to the federal government. Under Section 508, all technology purchased by federal agencies must be accessible. Contractors, vendors, and SaaS providers working with these agencies are expected to provide a VPAT.

    But VPATs are not just for federal buyers. State and local governments, universities, and organizations that receive federal funding may also require them. Increasingly, private companies are asking for VPATs before making a purchase.

    For vendors, creating a VPAT shows more than compliance. It proves they value inclusivity and transparency. In competitive markets, that can make a difference. Buyers want to work with partners they can trust, and a clear VPAT signals that accessibility is part of your process—not an afterthought.

    Which VPAT Version Should You Use?

    There are several versions of the VPAT. The right one depends on who will read it.

    • Section 508 version: Used in the United States for federal customers.
    • EU version: Designed for the European market.
    • WCAG version: Focused only on WCAG guidelines.
    • INT version:  Includes all three standards and is best for global companies.

    Most U.S. vendors working with federal agencies use the Section 508 version. Companies with international customers often choose the INT version because it covers multiple standards at once, helping them meet different buyers’ needs with a single report.

    Core Elements of a VPAT

    A VPAT or ACR has a few main sections:

    • Basic Product Details: Name, version, description, date of evaluation, and contact information for the person or team who did the review.
    • Accessibility Standards: The rules used in the evaluation, such as WCAG 2.1 or Section 508.
    • Testing Methods: How the product was tested, whether through manual checks, automated tools, or by using assistive technology like screen readers.
    • Conformance Table: The most important part of the VPAT. Each entry lists the accessibility requirement, shows the level of support, and provides remarks or explanations.

    The conformance levels include:

    • Supports: The product meets the requirement.
    • Partially Supports: The product meets it in some areas but not all.
    • Does Not Support: The product fails to meet the requirement.
    • Not Applicable: The requirement does not apply to the product.

    The remarks section explains the details, such as what works well, what does not, and whether improvements are planned.

    Tips for Filling Out a VPAT

    When filling out a VPAT, accuracy matters. Accessibility is rarely a simple yes or no. If a product only partly meets a requirement, that should be explained. Avoid vague answers like “supports with exceptions” without details.

    The report should be based on real testing. Use manual reviews, automated scans, and assistive technology to see how the product performs. In the remarks, point to real examples, such as how a screen reader reads an image or how easy it is to navigate with a keyboard.

    It is also important to make the VPAT itself accessible. Use headings, clear tables, and proper formatting so people who use assistive technology can read it.

    The VPAT should be updated often. Products change with new features and fixes, and the VPAT needs to reflect those changes. Always include the date and product version so readers know the information is current.

    Finally, be honest. If something does not meet the requirement, say so and explain what you are doing to fix it. Buyers will respect openness more than silence.

    Why VPATs Matter Beyond Legal Compliance

    VPATs are not just about following the law. They also provide real benefits. Buyers can compare different products more easily. Vendors show they care about accessibility and all their users. Organizations reduce risk by having a clear record of their accessibility work.

    In the end, VPATs help build trust. They show that accessibility is a real part of product design and not just an afterthought.

    Closing Thoughts

    A VPAT turns accessibility testing into a structured report that is easy to understand. It is not a certification and does not claim a product is perfect. Instead, it shows accountability and provides buyers with useful information.

    Any organization that offers digital products should see a VPAT as part of an ongoing journey toward accessibility. It is not just about winning contracts but about building products that work for everyone.

    If you want help creating a VPAT, understanding the standards, or making sure your documentation is accurate, 216digital can guide you through the process. We are ready to help with clear, practical advice so you can move forward with confidence.

    Greg McNeil

    August 19, 2025
    Testing & Remediation
    Accessibility Audit, Accessibility testing, custom accessibility audits, manual audit, Manual Testing, VPAT
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