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. When a government agency or large enterprise evaluates a vendor, one of the first documents they request is a completed VPAT — often called an ACR (Accessibility Conformance Report) once it’s been filled out.

Who Needs a VPAT?

You need a VPAT if any of the following apply to your business:

• You sell software, SaaS products, or digital services to federal, state, or local government agencies.

• You work as a contractor or subcontractor to a company that supplies the government.

• You supply technology to universities, hospitals, or large enterprises that require Section 508 or WCAG conformance from vendors.

• A procurement officer or RFP has specifically requested a VPAT or ACR as part of a bid.

Even if you’re not currently selling to government, having a VPAT on hand strengthens your credibility and accelerates deals with enterprise buyers who have legal obligations around vendor accessibility.

Which VPAT Standard Applies to You?

There are several VPAT editions, each tied to a different regulatory framework:

• VPAT 2.4 Section 508 — For U.S. federal government contractors. References the revised Section 508 standards, which incorporate WCAG 2.0 Level AA.

• VPAT 2.4 WCAG — For general commercial use and international markets. Documents conformance against WCAG 2.1 Levels A, AA, and optionally AAA.

• VPAT 2.4 EU (EN 301 549) — For companies selling into the European Union under the European Accessibility Act.

• VPAT 2.4 INT — A combined version covering all of the above simultaneously, useful for global vendors.

If you’re unsure which version applies, ADAcertify will identify the correct standard based on your target markets and procurement requirements.

How ADAcertify Produces Your VPAT

Producing an accurate VPAT requires a thorough audit of your product against every applicable WCAG success criterion and Section 508 provision. ADAcertify handles this end to end:

1. Full accessibility audit — We test your website or application against WCAG 2.1 AA (and Section 508 where applicable), documenting conformance level for each criterion: Supports, Partially Supports, Does Not Support, or Not Applicable.

2. VPAT drafting — We complete the official VPAT template with accurate conformance language, remarks, and explanations for each criterion.

3. Review and delivery — You review the draft, we incorporate any corrections, and deliver the final signed ACR document ready for procurement submission.

Important: A VPAT Must Be Honest

A VPAT is not a pass/fail certification — it is a declaration of current conformance status. A product that only partially meets WCAG 2.1 AA should say so, with notes on what is not yet supported. Submitting an inaccurate VPAT to a government procurement process can create legal liability. ADAcertify only produces VPATs that accurately reflect your product’s real accessibility state.

✅ Pro Tip: Pair your VPAT with an active ADAcertify remediation plan. Agencies prefer vendors who not only disclose gaps but demonstrate an active roadmap to close them.