Accessibility, VPAT, ACR in questions and answers
Learn about VPAT and ACR in questions and answers.
The VPAT® is a free template used to create an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR), which plays a vital role in promoting accessibility in technology. The completed VPAT document is the ACR, providing transparency for consumers and organizations to make informed decisions. This single document helps organizations comply with legal requirements and foster an inclusive environment for all users.
Understanding this relationship is crucial: the VPAT is the standardized template, and the ACR is the final report generated by completing that template with your product’s specific accessibility information.
What is a VPAT?
The Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is a free-to-use template developed by the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI). It provides a standardized format for vendors to report how their products conform to accessibility standards such as Section 508 and WCAG. Think of it as the blank form or framework used to document accessibility conformance.
What is an ACR?
An Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) is not a separate document, but it is the completed VPAT. Once you fill out the VPAT template with your product’s specific accessibility details, evaluation results, and conformance levels, the finished document becomes your ACR. This formal report can be shared with potential customers, government agencies, and procurement teams to demonstrate your product’s accessibility features and compliance.
Understanding the relationship: Template vs. Completed Report
| Aspect | VPAT (the template) | ACR (the completed document) |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | A blank template with standardized sections and criteria | The same document, filled out with your product’s specific accessibility information |
| Purpose | To provide a consistent framework for evaluation | To serve as a formal declaration of your product’s accessibility status for procurement |
| Usage | Used by vendors as a starting point for documentation | Provided to customers and agencies who request accessibility conformance information |
What is the purpose of the VPAT template?
The VPAT template provides a standardized format for vendors to consistently report how their products conform to accessibility standards, ensuring that all ACRs follow the same structure and include the same types of information, making it easier for purchasers to compare products.
Key components of a VPAT/ACR
Whether you’re looking at the blank template or a completed report, the same core sections appear:
- Product or service description: basic details about the product, including name, version, and vendor information.
- Accessibility standards: a list of applicable accessibility standards against which the product is evaluated.
- Conformance levels: a description of how the product meets each criterion, typically categorized as
Supports
,Partially supports
, orDoes not support
. Note:Partially supports
means some accessibility features are present but others are missing or incomplete. - Remarks and explanations: additional comments that provide context or clarification regarding the product’s accessibility features.
VPAT editions
The VPAT template includes several editions tailored to different regions and standards. The edition you choose determines the criteria that will appear in your final ACR:
- VPAT 2.5Rev EU (April 2025): for documenting accessibility in the European Union, aligning with the EN 301 549 standard.
- VPAT 2.5Rev INT (April 2025): for international accessibility reporting, combining WCAG, Section 508, and EU requirements.
- VPAT 2.5Rev 508 (April 2025): for documenting accessibility in the United States, specifically for Section 508 compliance.
- VPAT 2.5Rev WCAG (April 2025): for documenting accessibility based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
- VPAT 2.5Rev Change Tracking (April 2025): for tracking changes made to previous VPAT versions.
Is a VPAT/ACR mandatory?
The VPAT template itself is not mandatory to use. However, while there is no law requiring completion of a VPAT, many organizations that purchase technology products, especially government agencies and educational institutions, require vendors to provide a completed VPAT (i.e., an ACR). This makes creating an ACR a practical necessity for selling to these entities, even though it’s not a legal requirement in itself.
Mobile app accessibility: do you need to complete a VPAT?
To determine whether you need to create an ACR (by completing a VPAT template) for a mobile app, consider the context:
- Government contracts: if the mobile app is intended for use by U.S. government entities, an ACR (completed VPAT) is generally required to demonstrate compliance with Section 508.
- Private sector: for mobile apps marketed to private companies, an ACR is not strictly required, but having one demonstrates commitment to accessibility and facilitates procurement.
- Procurement requirements: if a procurement team specifically requests accessibility conformance documentation, they are asking for a completed VPAT (an ACR).
- Best practices: completing a VPAT to create an ACR is advisable even when not mandatory, as it shows commitment to inclusive design.
Who is responsible for completing the VPAT?
The vendor or manufacturer of a product or service is responsible for completing the VPAT template to create their ACR, as they possess the most knowledge about the product’s accessibility features. There is no official VPAT certification. The product owner completes the assessment, though resellers may also complete it if needed. Typically, a cross-functional team including product managers, accessibility specialists, QA testers, and legal/compliance teams collaborates on the process.
Additionally, tools like SiteLint can assist by helping identify and report on accessibility issues, making it easier to complete the VPAT accurately.
What happens if you don’t have an ACR?
If you cannot provide a completed VPAT (an ACR), you may face significant disadvantages when selling to government agencies, educational institutions, or other organizations that require accessibility conformance documentation. Without an ACR, potential buyers may view your product as non-compliant or high-risk, potentially eliminating you from procurement processes.
Does an ACR guarantee 100% compliance?
No, an ACR (completed VPAT) does not guarantee 100% compliance with accessibility standards. It provides a snapshot of a product’s accessibility features and conformance at a particular point in time, based on the vendor’s self-assessment or evaluation. The ACR is a disclosure document, not a certification of perfection.
What standards and guidelines are used to evaluate accessibility in an ACR?
The ACR (created from a VPAT) typically evaluates accessibility based on these standards:
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): internationally recognized technical standards for making web content accessible, with testable success criteria at levels A, AA, and AAA.
- Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act: U.S. federal requirements ensuring Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is accessible.
- ETSI EN 301 549: European accessibility standard for ICT products and services.
The specific standard used depends on which VPAT edition you complete.
Who needs to provide an ACR?
Organizations that develop, procure, or sell information and communication technology (ICT) products or services, especially those working with the U.S. federal government, educational institutions, or in regulated industries, need to provide an ACR by completing a VPAT to demonstrate accessibility conformance.
Specifically, these organizations should be prepared to provide an ACR:
- Software developers and vendors selling to government agencies or educational institutions
- Hardware manufacturers providing ICT products for regulated markets
- Website and mobile app developers serving organizations with accessibility procurement requirements
- Educational technology providers (subject to ADA and Section 504)
- Healthcare, finance, and transportation technology providers in regulated industries
- Any vendor wanting to demonstrate commitment to accessibility and inclusive design
How often should you update your ACR?
You should update your ACR (by revising your completed VPAT) whenever you make significant changes to your product or service, or when new accessibility standards and guidelines are released. Best practice is to review and update your ACR with each major product release or at least annually.
Why is the VPAT/ACR important?
The VPAT template and resulting ACR are vital because they:
- Provide a standardized way to document accessibility conformance
- Enable transparent comparison between products during procurement
- Help organizations comply with legal and regulatory requirements
- Foster an inclusive environment by making accessibility information readily available
- Represent the industry-accepted method for documenting digital product accessibility, especially for U.S. government contracting
Can the completed VPAT (ACR) be used for auditing and compliance purposes?
Yes, the ACR (your completed VPAT) can be used to demonstrate compliance with accessibility regulations and standards, and to identify areas for improvement. Auditors, procurement officials, and accessibility coordinators use ACRs to assess whether a product meets organizational accessibility requirements.
What are the requirements for creating an ACR?
Your ACR (completed VPAT) should be created and maintained in accordance with relevant accessibility standards and guidelines, based on a thorough evaluation of your product or service. The ITI provides instructions within the VPAT template, and the report should accurately reflect your product’s current accessibility status without misleading claims.
Where can I find ACRs (completed VPATs)?
You can typically find ACRs (completed VPAT documents) in these locations:
- Vendor’s website: check the product vendor’s site for sections like
Accessibility
,Compliance
, orAbout Us
, often in the footer. Many vendors publish their ACRs for download. - Product documentation: the ACR may be included in official product documentation or help files.
- Direct request: contact the vendor directly and request a copy of their ACR (completed VPAT).
- Government websites: for products used by government agencies, the ACR may be available on agency websites or procurement portals.
- Accessibility repositories: some third-party organizations maintain repositories of accessibility conformance information.
When searching, be specific about the product name and version number to ensure you get the correct ACR.
Steps to create your ACR from the VPAT template
The process to create your ACR involves:
- Downloading the appropriate VPAT template edition from the ITI website.
- Completing the title page with company information, product details, and evaluation methods used.
- Understanding the three columns of the VPAT tables: Criteria, Conformance Level, and Remarks and Explanations.
- Filling out the Success Criteria tables (Levels A, AA, and optionally AAA) for your product category (web, software, etc.).
- Conducting thorough evaluation using automated testing tools, manual testing, and expert evaluation.
- Reviewing and finalizing all information for accuracy and completeness before publishing your ACR.
Key Takeaways
- The VPAT is a free template. The ACR is the completed accessibility report you create from it.
- ACRs (completed VPATs) are essential for promoting accessibility in technology and providing procurement transparency.
- Organizations, especially government agencies and educational institutions, frequently request ACRs to evaluate product accessibility.
- While not legally mandated, having an ACR is practically necessary for selling to many entities.
- An ACR includes product descriptions, applicable standards, conformance levels, evaluation methods, and explanatory remarks.
- Any organization developing or selling ICT products should be prepared to provide an ACR.
- ACRs should be updated whenever significant product changes occur or new standards are released.
- Completing the VPAT template to create an ACR is the industry-standard method for documenting digital accessibility.
Conclusion
In summary, accessibility is a fundamental aspect that ensures inclusivity for all users. The VPAT template and resulting ACR serve as critical tools that help organizations document their product’s accessibility status and identify concrete opportunities for improvement. By maintaining an up-to-date ACR, companies demonstrate their dedication to creating products that everyone can use, including people with disabilities, while meeting procurement requirements and fostering legal compliance. Investing in an accurate, thoroughly completed VPAT—your ACR—ultimately strengthens market position and contributes to a more accessible digital ecosystem.
Example ACR (Completed VPAT version 2.4)
Here is an Example Accessibility Conformance Report created from VPAT version 2.5.
For convenience, this example ACR can be previewed below:
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