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A “Voluntary Product Accessibility Template", a VPAT, is as it sounds, a template for which a company documents compliance with accessibility requirements — as is outlined in both Section 508 and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). A VPAT covers product accessibility for e-learning, websites, mobile apps, remote access tools, documentation, software, or hardware. No matter what they are for, a VPAT always fulfills the same basic purpose: to serve as a template to both evaluate and demonstrate that your product or service is up to requirements when it comes to being accessible for people — no matter what their needs.
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Once completed, your VPAT will be used to create your Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR), which clearly explain the accessibility standards you meet. It also alerts users to any impediments to accessibility they may find.
Technically the VPAT refers to your voluntary product accessibility template, rather than the filled-out and completed product that goes into creating your ACR. For your organization, the terms are generally used interchangeably.
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Despite the “voluntary” in voluntary product accessibility template”’ and the fact there is no legal requirement to have a VPAT specifically, there are U.S. federal and EU regulations that lay out vigorous accessibility requirements and transparency for ICT (information and communications technology) products. Without a VPAT, your organization is at greater risk of non-compliance with these standards, which can lead to fines, lawsuits, and embarrassment.
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Even if your company doesn’t not receive federal or EU funding, you may still require some form of accessibility documentation. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), for example, requires that any person, business, or organization covered by the act must communicate effectively about their programs, services, and activities with everyone — including people with disabilities.
With regulations and laws such as these, and more in development all the time, it is highly likely that you need to document the accessibility of your ICT product or service. If you don’t, it’s just a matter of time for you to run into problems.
A a VPAT is the most efficient, comprehensive, and widely acknowledged way to do prevent costly accessibility issues with your digital resources. Also of note: most purchasers of ICT products require a VPAT from the seller to verify the level of ADA compliance for their own purposes.
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The truth is, if you wanted to you could create your own VPAT today, or get someone at your company to follow a VPAT template that they find online. However, the accessibility domain knowledge to create an ironclad VPAT is extensive, and unless you have someone with that knowledge you are leaving yourself exposed. With around 3000 digital accessibility lawsuits a year, if you do not accurately and fully represent how accessible you could well be at risk of having real financial consequences.
As such, we recommend getting a professional VPAT service, to cover yourself, and improve your accessibility. To learn just how we can help your business to stay on the right side of this important issue, get in touch today to find out more.
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"Working with ADACP has been integral to our accessibility efforts. Their expertise, particularly in conducting detailed VPAT audits and reporting, has set a new standard for our operations. One of our most valued customers noted, 'We rarely see a VPAT this detailed and complete.' With ADACP’s support, we not only say we take accessibility seriously—we prove it, earning the confidence of our clients every step of the way."
"ADACP is an absolutely amazing company, the quality of their work and the patience of their entire team is truly impressive! During our collaboration at SiliconExpert (a subsidiary of Arrow Electronics), they displayed remarkable professionalism in navigating miles of bureaucracy and red tape, keeping a positive attitude during the long process. Their team consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of digital accessibility requirements, making them an invaluable partner in working to ensure our application was inclusive and compliant. I would use them again for any accessibility solution in a heartbeat!"
"We contacted ADACP as part of our search for a third party to conduct our accessibility audit for a VPAT. ADACP stood out due to their excellent value proposition. I was pleasantly surprised by the level of expertise and guidance provided by ADACP during the diligence process, even before contract signing. It was evident from the outset that they were a team of dedicated experts aligned with their mission, mirroring my commitment to ours. The audit was prompt, and the resulting report was comprehensive and well-structured. Our software engineering team utilized the report to address flagged issues efficiently, with the assurance that ADACP is available for further assistance if required. Overall, our experience with ADACP has been highly positive, and I would enthusiastically recommend their expertise to anyone in my network."
"I reached out to ADACP as we were up against a tight timeline to complete our VPAT certification. David and his team accommodated our request for a meeting on very short notice and began the process of reviewing our website right away. Working with ADACP made all the difference in helping us to better understand digital accessibility standards and what we needed to do to improve on various aspects of our product's accessibility, including its user interface, interaction design, and compatibility with assistive technologies. The process didn't take more than a few weeks from start to finish. We are happy to be able to provide better service to our Customers."
"ADACP's thorough understanding of ADA regulations and commitment to excellence has been instrumental in helping us provide an inclusive learning environment for all users. David and the team's responsiveness and streamlined process for remediation make the compliance journey easier. I highly endorse ADACP to any organization seeking reliable solutions for digital accessibility compliance."
"Working with ADACP has been integral to our accessibility efforts. Their expertise, particularly in conducting detailed VPAT audits and reporting, has set a new standard for our operations. One of our most valued customers noted, 'We rarely see a VPAT this detailed and complete.' With ADACP’s support, we not only say we take accessibility seriously—we prove it, earning the confidence of our clients every step of the way."
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