General
Overview of VPATs, accessibility standards, and how the Evaluator works
What is a VPAT and how is it used?
The Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT®) is a standardized document developed by the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) to help vendors describe how their products meet accessibility requirements.
When a VPAT is completed with testing results and supporting details, it becomes an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR). These documents are commonly used in procurement, compliance reviews, and accessibility evaluations.
What accessibility standards can a VPAT include?
Depending on the edition, a VPAT may include one or more of the following:
- WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) – International standard for web accessibility
- Section 508 – U.S. federal accessibility requirements
- EN 301 549 – European Union ICT accessibility standard
- Section 255 – Telecommunications accessibility requirements
Some VPAT editions combine multiple standards into a single document for multi-jurisdictional use.
Who is responsible for completing a VPAT/ACR?
The vendor or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the product is responsible for completing the VPAT, typically using results from manual and automated accessibility testing.
Resellers may contribute, but accuracy and testing validity remain the responsibility of the product owner.
Does ITI certify or approve VPATs?
No. ITI provides the VPAT template but does not review, validate, or certify completed VPATs.
The VPAT/ACR Evaluator exists to provide structured analysis and quality assessment of these documents.
What conformance levels are used in a VPAT?
Each accessibility criterion is assigned one of the following standardized values:
- Supports – Fully meets the requirement
- Partially Supports – Partially meets the requirement
- Does Not Support – Does not meet the requirement
- Not Applicable – Criterion does not apply
- Not Evaluated – Typically used for optional criteria (e.g., WCAG Level AAA)
These ratings are self-reported by the vendor and require interpretation and validation.
What VPAT editions are available?
VPAT® editions are aligned to different standards:
- VPAT® 508 – Section 508 (U.S. federal requirements)
- VPAT® WCAG – WCAG 2.0 / 2.1 / 2.2
- VPAT® EU – EN 301 549
- VPAT® INT (International) – Combines Section 508, WCAG, and EN 301 549
When should the INT (International) edition be used?
The INT edition is appropriate when:
- Products are marketed across multiple jurisdictions
- Multiple standards must be addressed in a single document
- Organizations want a consolidated accessibility disclosure
Can older VPAT versions be used?
Older versions may still be encountered, but it is recommended to use the most current VPAT revision to ensure alignment with:
- Updated accessibility standards
- Current terminology and structure
- Modern procurement expectations
What is the VPAT/ACR Evaluator?
The VPAT/ACR Evaluator is a platform that analyzes VPATs and ACRs using a structured evaluation framework to assess:
- Document completeness
- Internal consistency
- Alignment with accessibility standards
- Overall documentation quality
It is designed to bring consistency and transparency to VPAT review processes.
How does the Evaluator analyze a VPAT/ACR?
The Evaluator uses deterministic rules and structured analysis to inspect:
- Document structure and formatting
- Use of standard VPAT terminology
- Presence of required metadata (e.g., product details, dates, contacts)
- Coverage of accessibility criteria
- Quality and completeness of remarks
It also applies pattern recognition to determine whether a document conforms to VPAT/ACR expectations.
Does the Evaluator test the product itself?
No. The Evaluator performs a document-level analysis only.
It does not:
- Test the product’s accessibility
- Validate real user experience
- Replace manual or automated accessibility testing
What types of ICT can the Evaluator be used for?
The Evaluator is designed to support a broad range of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), including:
- Software and applications
- Web content and web applications
- Electronic documents and multimedia
- Hardware and telecommunications (as standards coverage expands)
What standards does the Evaluator support?
The Evaluator is designed to support multi-standard analysis, including:
- WCAG
- Section 508
- EN 301 549
- Section 255
It can evaluate VPATs that include one or multiple standards simultaneously.
Can the Evaluator be used across different use cases?
Yes. The Evaluator supports a variety of use cases, including:
- Reviewing VPATs for completeness and quality
- Comparing multiple VPATs
- Identifying gaps in documentation
- Supporting procurement, compliance, or internal review processes
Is the Evaluator a compliance certification tool?
No. The Evaluator is a decision-support and analysis tool, not a certification authority.
It does not:
- Certify products as accessible
- Replace formal audits or testing
- Provide legal determinations of compliance
What are the limitations of VPAT-based evaluation?
VPATs are:
- Self-reported by vendors
- Dependent on the quality of testing and documentation
- Not always complete or evidence-backed
As a result, VPAT evaluation should be understood as:
- A starting point, not a final determination
- One input among several in accessibility decision-making
VPAT/ACR Evaluator SaaS
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