Purchasing Accessible Technology: The Role of VPATs and ACRs

Do you ever wonder if the new software, app, or online help documentation you're considering is accessible to everyone? An Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) is a tool that promotes inclusivity by telling you how well a product meets current accessibility standards. To create an ACR, the product owner or developer must test the product against those standards and document the results.

The most popular way to test, document, and create an ACR is to use a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT®) developed by the IT Industry Council (ITI).

What is a VPAT?

A VPAT is a free downloadable tool that converts accessibility standards and guidelines into clear steps for testing. Using the VPAT, you can test your product and record the results. Four different VPAT versions are available, each focusing on specific accessibility guidelines: WCAG, Revised 508, EN 301 549, and a comprehensive International edition that covers all three.

How Does a VPAT work?

Let's take the WCAG VPAT as an example. It lists all the Level A Success Criteria in the first table. Clicking on a criterion opens the corresponding W3C webpage, defines the requirement, and provides a list of exceptions and what to do to ensure those exceptions still meet accessibility standards. As you can see, the ITI Council has built-in reference materials to guide you through this process.

Point of Clarification

You will often hear people use the acronyms VPAT and ACR interchangeably as if they are the same thing. They are not. A VPAT is simply a template outlining accessibility criteria. Once it is filled out and completed, that template becomes an ACR.

Who is required to have an ACR?

Federal Agencies
If they are subject to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, all U.S. federal agencies must complete a VPAT, thus creating an ACR. This law requires that federal agencies make Information and Communications Technology (ICT) accessible to people with disabilities.

Federal government contracts
Companies that provide digital products or services to federally-funded organizations, such as software development companies or website designers, must also complete an ACR.

State or local government contracts
Many state and local government agencies require vendor ACRs as part of their procurement processes.

Private company contracts
Private companies with accessibility as a core value may require ACRs for contract negotiations.

For more information about VPATs and creating an ACR, please see "How to Complete a VPAT" on YouTube.

Benefits of Having an ACR

Opens a business' prospects for working with the federal government. Per Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, the U.S. federal government must buy accessible ICT and requires all vendors to submit an ACR.
Identifies accessibility issues with products and services. Completing the VPAT to create an ACR is a self-auditing exercise. The product owner or developer must test their product against each criterion and document the results as one of the four conformance levels: supports, partially supports, does not support, or is not applicable.
Improves business prospects and profitability. An ACR is vital for informing buyers of various IT products and services, ultimately aiding them in making well-considered purchases. This, in turn, can translate to increased sales and company revenue.
Elevates business credibility, reputation, and brand image. An accessibility standards-compliant digital product or service demonstrates your commitment to creating an inclusive experience, ensuring everyone can access and enjoy your offering.

ACRs are valuable tools for buyers and sellers of digital products and services. By understanding how to interpret this report, you can ensure that you’re making informed decisions about accessibility.