VPAT Compliance: What You Need to Know

Understanding VPAT compliance is essential if you want to make your website accessible to everyone. VPAT stands for Voluntary Product Accessibility Template. It is a document that explains how your website, software, or electronic content meets accessibility standards. 

This is crucial for businesses, especially those wanting to ensure their digital content is usable by people with disabilities. Continue reading as we help you understand what VPAT compliance is, what a VPAT report includes, the benefits of being VPAT compliant, and the steps you need to take to achieve it. 

What Is VPAT Compliance?

VPAT Compliance refers to the adherence to guidelines specified in the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template. The VPAT is a tool used to document how accessible a product, like a website, software, or digital document, is for people with disabilities. The document is designed to help businesses and organizations understand and communicate the accessibility of their products.

A VPAT is particularly useful for organizations that want to demonstrate their commitment to accessibility standards such as Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These standards ensure that electronic and information technology is made accessible to people with disabilities, making it easier for them to navigate, understand, and interact with digital content.

By completing a VPAT, organizations can identify areas where their products meet or fail to meet accessibility standards. This helps prioritize areas needing improvement and provides a clear roadmap for achieving full compliance. 

Key Elements of a VPAT Report

A VPAT report consists of several key elements that provide a comprehensive evaluation of a product's accessibility. Understanding these elements can help you create a thorough and effective VPAT report.

1. General Information: This section includes basic details like the product name, version, and date of the report. It often also includes contact information for the person or team responsible for the document.

2. Summary Table: This table gives a quick overview of the product's compliance with various accessibility standards. It's a high-level summary that helps readers understand the overall accessibility status without reading the entire document.

3. Conformance Levels: These describe how well the product meets specific guidelines. Often rated on a scale (such as "supports," "partially supports," and "does not support"), these levels indicate the degree to which accessibility standards are met.

4. Detailed Compliance Information: This is the most critical part of the report. It provides a detailed breakdown of how the product conforms to each guideline. Each criterion includes a statement of conformance and any applicable comments, descriptions, or explanations.

5. Notes and Remarks: This section allows for additional comments that may not fit neatly into the other sections. It could include future plans for meeting guidelines or explanations for partial compliance.

Benefits of Being VPAT Compliant

Being VPAT compliant offers numerous benefits for your business and your users. Here's why VPAT compliance should be a priority:

1. Legal Protection: Following VPAT guidelines can help you avoid legal trouble. By meeting accessibility standards, you reduce the risk of lawsuits related to ADA or Section 508 violations.

2. Wider Audience: Accessible websites reach more people. This includes people with disabilities who use assistive technologies. By making your site accessible, you open doors to a larger audience, increasing your reach.

3. Improved Usability: Making your website or product more accessible can also improve the user experience for everyone. Clear navigation, readable text, and easily clickable buttons benefit all users, not just those with disabilities.

4. Positive Public Image: Showing that you care about accessibility improves your brand image. It demonstrates social responsibility and can enhance customer loyalty.

5. Better SEO: Accessible websites often rank better in search engine results. Features like alt text for images and proper heading structures help search engines understand your content, leading to better visibility.

Steps to Achieve VPAT Compliance

Achieving VPAT compliance involves several steps. Here's a simple guide to help you get started:

1. Conduct an Accessibility Audit: Start by evaluating your current accessibility status. An accessibility audit will identify areas where your website or product falls short.

2. Understand the Guidelines: Familiarize yourself with the relevant accessibility standards, like Section 508 and WCAG. Knowing these guidelines is crucial for accurate compliance.

3. Create a VPAT Report: Based on your audit, prepare a VPAT report. Document how your product meets each accessibility criterion. Be honest about areas needing improvement.

4. Implement Changes: Use the findings from your audit and VPAT report to make necessary changes. This might involve coding updates, design tweaks, or adding accessibility features like alt text and captions.

5. Test Your Changes: After making updates, test your website or product again to ensure the changes work. Use tools and real users to validate the improvements.

6. Regular Updates: Accessibility is an ongoing process, not a one-time fix. Regularly update your VPAT report and make continuous improvements to stay compliant.

Conclusion

Being VPAT compliant is essential for creating an inclusive digital environment that benefits everyone, including people with disabilities. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure your website or product meets the highest accessibility standards. Not only does this protect you from potential legal issues, but it also allows you to reach a broader audience and improve the overall user experience.

Taking the time to achieve VPAT compliance demonstrates your commitment to accessibility and social responsibility. If you need help with making your website compliant, ADA Compliance is here to assist you. Contact us and take the first step towards creating a more inclusive digital space today.