What Is a VPAT?
It's a standard template used to document how accessible a digital product actually is.
VPAT stands for Voluntary Product Accessibility Template.
The template is published by the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) and is commonly used when organizations need to disclose accessibility conformance for software, websites, mobile apps, hardware, electronic documents, and support materials.
In practice, the completed document is called an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR).
VPATs became widely used because U.S. federal agencies are expected to consider accessibility when they develop, procure, maintain, or use information and communication technology (ICT) under the Revised Section 508 Standards.
Vendors and contractors provide an ACR so procurement teams can understand accessibility risk before buying or renewing a product.
A good VPAT-based ACR does one simple thing well: it tells the truth, clearly.
It outlines what supports requirements, what partially supports them, what does not, and what that means for users.
How Long it Takes to Complete a VPAT
“Completing a VPAT” usually means producing an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) using the VPAT® template, backed by actual testing.
The form itself can be filled out quickly.
The time comes from scoping, testing, writing solid remarks, and getting internal sign-off.
One important update for 2026: the current VPAT release is VPAT® 2.5Rev (April 2025).
If your report is built on an older version, it can raise questions during procurement reviews.
Typical Timeline Ranges
Small, Simple Scope (Marketing Site, Limited Templates)
If you have a handful of page templates and no complex flows, the audit plus write-up can often be done in roughly 1-3 weeks.
This assumes access is ready and there isn’t a long internal review cycle.
This “fast” range is common across vendors, but it still depends on scope and readiness.
Typical SaaS / Web App (Multiple Screens, Forms, Authenticated Areas)
A more realistic expectation is 2–8 weeks from kickoff to a procurement-ready ACR.
This timeline depends on complexity, access, and how much manual testing is needed.
Complex Products (Enterprise Platforms, Many Workflows, Docs, Mobile, Multiple Modules)
If there are many unique workflows, multiple platforms, heavy PDF/document scope, or lots of custom components, the work can stretch into 8+ weeks (sometimes longer).
This is especially true if remediation is included before finalizing the report.
A Simple Way to Think About the Schedule
A solid VPAT-based ACR usually moves through these phases:
1) Scope and Access Setup
This phase involves defining what’s in scope, such as pages/screens, user roles, platforms, and documents.
It also includes providing access to authenticated areas and confirming product version(s).
This is where teams often lose time without realizing it.
2) Testing
Manual testing is the time sink, and it should be.
Automated scans help, but they don’t confirm real usability.
Most serious guidance treats testing as the core phase.
3) Writing the ACR
Filling the template is not the hard part.
Writing clear “Remarks and Explanations” that accurately reflect what was tested is what makes the report credible.
Section508.gov specifically pushes vendors toward simple, specific statements rather than vague language.
4) Internal Review and Legal/Procurement Alignment
This phase can be fast, or it can add weeks.
It depends on how many stakeholders want to approve wording.
What Makes a VPAT Take Longer
- Wide scope: This includes many unique templates/screens, multiple roles, and lots of dynamic UI.
- Documents are in scope: Such as PDFs, reports, manuals, and training content.
- Multiple platforms: For example, web + mobile + desktop.
- Limited access: Issues like staging not available, feature flags, or no test accounts.
- No existing component standards: This means inconsistent UI patterns and custom widgets everywhere.
- Remediation is bundled into the timeline: Fixes plus retesting extend the schedule.
Get Help to Complete Your VPAT
Working with independent VPAT accessibility experts who have experience completing VPATs can significantly reduce the time it takes.
These experts can assist you in planning the VPAT accessibility test for your product or service.
They also use a dependable 508 compliance checker that will instill confidence in the people who will be relying on the VPAT to decide whether or not to purchase the product or service.
Contact us to get independent VPAT accessibility help as well as support in completing your VPAT today!