What Is a VPAT and Do You Need One?
What Is a VPAT? A VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) is a standardized document that describes how a product or service — typically a website, software application, or digital platform — conforms to accessibility standards. The VPAT is published by the IT Industry Council (ITI) and is widely used across the U.S. federal procurement process….
Section 508 Compliance for Government Contractors
What Is Section 508? Section 508 is an amendment to the U.S. Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It requires that all federal agencies ensure their electronic and information technology (EIT) — including websites, web applications, software, and electronic documents — is accessible to people with disabilities. In its 2017 refresh, the U.S. Access Board formally adopted…
Does ADAcertify Prevent ADA Lawsuits? What the Widget Covers — and What It Doesn’t
Step-by-Step Instructions Install the ADAcertify widget on your site. The widget provides real-time automated remediation for a wide range of WCAG 2.1 AA violations including keyboard navigation, screen reader support, color contrast adjustments, and focus management. Run a full accessibility scan from your dashboard at app.adacertify.io. Review your compliance score and the list of detected…
Using ADAcertify for Government Contracts — VPAT 2.4 and Section 508 Guide
Step-by-Step Instructions Log into your dashboard at app.adacertify.io and run a full accessibility scan on the website or web application you need to certify for government compliance. Navigate to Reports > Compliance Report and select Section 508 as your compliance standard. This generates a report mapped to Section 508 criteria — the correct framework for…
Why Website Accessibility Matters
The Foundation of Inclusivity: Why Accessibility is Essential At its core, website accessibility is about fostering an environment of true inclusivity and equal opportunity for all individuals. It goes far beyond simply ticking a box for legal compliance. An accessible website is designed and built to be usable by people with a wide range of…
Understanding ADA Compliance
The Definition and Scope of ADA Compliance ADA compliance in the digital realm refers to a business’s adherence to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. While the original law was enacted in 1990 and focused on physical spaces like ramps and accessible restrooms, its…
WCAG & WCAG Guidelines Overview
An Overview of the WCAG Guidelines The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a set of international standards designed to make web content accessible to a wider range of people with disabilities. Developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the primary international standards organization for the World Wide Web, WCAG serves as the key…
ADA vs. Section 508 vs. WCAG
When it comes to digital accessibility, ADA, Section 508, and WCAG are often discussed together, but they play distinct roles. ADA: The Legal Mandate The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a broad U.S. civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability in all areas of public life. While it doesn’t explicitly mention websites,…
Risks of Non-Compliance
The Legal Consequences of Non-Compliance Failing to make your website ADA-compliant exposes your business to significant legal and financial risks. The number of lawsuits related to website accessibility has been increasing dramatically each year. Businesses, both large and small, are being sued for not providing equal access to their digital content. The legal claims argue…