What Is a VPAT and Why Do We Need It?

Understanding of a VPAT

Do you own a business that procures, creates, uses, and maintains ICT products and services? If your reaction to this query is affirmative, then you need to understand what a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is and why you need one.

A VPAT is a self-disclosure record that helps individuals, businesses, and organizations determine how their ICT products, including electronic content, software, hardware, and support documentation, meet the VPAT accessibility standards for IT as outlined in Revised Section 508 of the United States’ Rehabilitation Act.

Section 508 compels the federal government to acquire, produce, use, and maintain ICT that is accessible to individuals with disabilities, regardless of whether they work for the government.

Vendors were the first persons that the VPAT targeted. They were supposed to use it as proof that their goods and services met Section 508 standards.

Enhancements have been made to address broad concerns such as reporting compliance requirements, public procurement of goods and services, and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). A VPAT template addresses all of these issues so that you do not overlook others when reporting on them.

Regardless of the size of your business, VPAT compliance is necessary because it reveals to people, including your existing and future consumers as well as section 508 compliance monitors, whether or notyour goods are accessible to persons with disabilities.

VPAT Compliance and Certification

VPAT compliance demonstrates that your products or services are in accordance with Section 508 and the ADA. When you correctly complete the VPAT template, you will have a documented verification of compliance with Section 508.

VPAT certification will undoubtedly keep off the serial litigants that scan through websites to find loopholes so that they can sue the website owners.  

With VPAT compliance, you’ll have demonstrated to your clients all over the world that you care for people with disabilities by ensuring they have access to your products and services. As the world is increasingly becoming conscious of social responsibility, an increasing number of people and organizations shun products and services offered by vendors that discriminate against and exclude sections of the population.

VPAT certification helps to assure people that you do not subscribe to social exclusion and discrimination in your business. Remember that websites are tools that remove barriers between people in the whole world. Closing your business to a section of the population therefore sends out a deafening message that that very section of the population is unwelcome to your business. The converse is also true.

VPAT Example

To comprehend what a VPAT is, you can refer to any wrapped product that you’ll buy from the food stores or supermarket. On the packaging, there is usually a section that itemizes the ingredients in that product. Buyers check this section to know what the product has so that they’re better informed regarding whether to buy it or get an alternative.

Have you ever checked the fat content or any other content in a product, as provided on the packaging, and failed to make a purchase because the fat content was way above the level that you desired? That information that helped you to make an informed decision about whether to buy it or not is a good VPAT example.

Imagine if the label with the ingredients was not provided on the wrapper! It means that you could have purchased a product that is contrary to what you wanted. Therefore, VPAT certification helps consumers know which websites, products, and services are Section 508 compliant so that they can make informed decisions about associated purchases. For vendors, VPAT certification demonstrates social responsibility and obedience to the law.

Get helpto fill out your VPAT template today and let your website, products, and services be known for their Section 508 compliance!