VPAT and Accessibility Conformance Reports: A Complete Guide

Isabella / November 20, 2025

Digital accessibility has become a critical aspect of modern software development, web design, and product procurement. Ensuring that websites, applications, and digital products are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, is no longer optional. Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs) and Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACRs) serve as essential tools in documenting accessibility compliance and providing transparency for organizations and end-users alike.

VPATs and ACRs allow businesses, government agencies, and organizations to evaluate products against accessibility standards such as WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and Section 508. They provide a structured approach to reporting accessibility conformance and help vendors communicate the capabilities and limitations of their products effectively.

What Is a VPAT?

A VPAT, or Voluntary Product Accessibility Template, is a standardized document used by vendors to disclose how their product conforms to accessibility standards. It provides detailed information on accessibility features, compliance with WCAG guidelines, and areas that may require improvement.

VPATs are widely used in procurement processes, enabling organizations to make informed decisions about purchasing software, digital tools, or products that meet accessibility requirements. By using a VPAT, vendors demonstrate transparency, accountability, and a commitment to inclusive design.

Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR)

An Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) summarizes the results of a VPAT assessment. While the VPAT provides detailed line-by-line documentation, the ACR serves as a concise overview of the product’s accessibility performance. It highlights areas of compliance, partial compliance, and non-compliance, making it easier for organizations to review and understand the accessibility of a product.

Typical elements of an Accessibility Conformance Report include:

Product name, version, and description
Standards or guidelines used for assessment (e.g., WCAG, Section 508)
Conformance status for each accessibility criterion
Explanatory notes or remarks for partial or non-conformance
Contact information for additional inquiries

ACRs are a critical reference during product evaluation, procurement, and accessibility audits. They provide assurance that accessibility has been assessed and documented systematically.

VPAT Versions: 2.4 and 2.5

VPATs have undergone updates to align with evolving accessibility standards. The most widely used versions are VPAT 2.4 and VPAT 2.5.

VPAT 2.4: Updated to better reflect WCAG and Section 508 guidelines, this version offers clarity in reporting accessibility conformance and is commonly used in procurement processes.
VPAT 2.5: The latest version of the template includes additional fields and clarifications to improve accuracy and transparency. VPAT 2.5 aligns with modern accessibility requirements and provides a more detailed structure for documenting product conformance.

Choosing the correct VPAT version ensures that reports are current, relevant, and consistent with the latest accessibility standards.

Importance of VPAT Compliance Testing

VPAT compliance testing is essential for producing accurate reports. This testing evaluates a product against WCAG guidelines, Section 508 standards, and other accessibility requirements. It helps identify areas where the product meets standards, partially meets standards, or does not meet them.

VPAT compliance testing typically involves:

Reviewing product functionality using assistive technologies such as screen readers, magnifiers, and speech recognition tools
Assessing navigation, forms, multimedia, and interactive features for accessibility
Documenting conformance levels for each criterion
Providing explanatory notes for partial or non-conformance
Creating a VPAT or Accessibility Conformance Report that clearly communicates accessibility performance

Accurate VPAT compliance testing ensures organizations have reliable information for procurement, compliance, and accessibility planning.

Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT Template)

A VPAT template provides a standardized format for documenting accessibility conformance. The template allows vendors to indicate whether a product:

Fully supports an accessibility criterion
Partially supports an accessibility criterion
Does not support an accessibility criterion
Has a criterion that is not applicable

Using a VPAT template ensures consistency across reports, making it easier for organizations to compare different products and evaluate accessibility performance objectively. VPAT template examples can serve as a guide for completing reports accurately and effectively.

VPAT Assessment

VPAT assessment is the process of evaluating a product’s accessibility features and documenting results. A thorough assessment ensures that the Accessibility Conformance Report reflects a product’s true accessibility performance. Key steps in VPAT assessment include:

Testing interactive elements, navigation, and forms for accessibility
Evaluating multimedia content such as videos and audio for captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions
Assessing compliance with WCAG success criteria at levels A, AA, and AAA
Documenting findings in a VPAT template and producing an ACR
Recommending remediation for partial or non-compliant areas

VPAT assessment helps organizations understand a product’s accessibility, make informed purchasing decisions, and plan for improvements.

WCAG Compliance and Testing

WCAG, or Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, are internationally recognized standards for accessible digital content. WCAG guidelines cover text readability, navigation, multimedia accessibility, interactive features, and overall usability for users with disabilities.

WCAG testing ensures that products conform to these standards. Success criteria are divided into three levels:

Level A: Basic accessibility features
Level AA: Addresses common accessibility barriers
Level AAA: The highest level of accessibility, ensuring full inclusivity

Most organizations aim for Level AA compliance as a practical and achievable standard. WCAG compliance testing is a key component of VPAT assessment, helping organizations identify accessibility gaps and prioritize remediation efforts. WCAG certification, while optional, further validates a product’s commitment to accessibility.

Benefits of VPAT and Accessibility Conformance Reports

VPATs and Accessibility Conformance Reports offer multiple advantages:

Transparency: Clear documentation of accessibility performance
Compliance: Supports adherence to legal and regulatory requirements
Risk Mitigation: Reduces the likelihood of accessibility-related legal issues
Informed Decision Making: Enables organizations to select accessible products
Continuous Improvement: Identifies areas for product enhancements
User Inclusion: Ensures digital products are usable by individuals with disabilities

By implementing VPAT and ACR processes, vendors and organizations create accountability and promote a culture of accessibility within product development.

Best Practices for VPAT Reporting

To create effective VPATs and ACRs, vendors should follow best practices:

Use precise language when describing conformance levels
Reference specific WCAG success criteria for clarity
Provide detailed remarks for partial or non-conformance
Update reports regularly to reflect product changes
Train teams on accessibility standards and VPAT reporting procedures

These practices ensure that VPATs are accurate, reliable, and useful for organizations evaluating accessibility.

VPAT Template Examples

VPAT template examples provide guidance for vendors completing accessibility reports. They illustrate how to document conformance, provide explanatory remarks, and reference relevant accessibility standards. Examples often include:

Sections for WCAG, Section 508, and other applicable standards
Sample entries for full, partial, or non-conformance
Guidance on testing methods and documentation procedures

Using VPAT template examples improves the quality of reporting and helps maintain consistency across multiple products.

Accessibility Conformance Report in Practice

Accessibility Conformance Reports are widely used in product procurement, vendor evaluation, and accessibility audits. Organizations use ACRs to:

Verify a product’s accessibility features
Identify gaps or limitations
Ensure compliance with WCAG and Section 508
Communicate findings to developers, procurement teams, and stakeholders

ACRs serve as an official record of accessibility performance and guide organizations in selecting accessible digital products.

Conclusion

VPAT and Accessibility Conformance Reports are essential tools for promoting digital accessibility and ensuring compliance with WCAG and Section 508 standards. They provide a structured framework for assessing and documenting a product’s accessibility, enabling organizations to make informed decisions and maintain transparency.

VPAT compliance testing, assessment, and reporting allow vendors to demonstrate commitment to accessibility, reduce legal risk, and improve overall user experience. WCAG compliance testing and certification further validate accessibility performance, building trust with customers and stakeholders.

By prioritizing VPAT reporting and Accessibility Conformance Reports, organizations create digital products that are inclusive, usable, and aligned with accessibility best practices. Implementing these tools fosters accountability, improves usability, and ensures that digital experiences are accessible to everyone, regardless of ability. Accessibility is not an optional feature; it is a fundamental aspect of responsible digital product development.