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    What is a VPAT? A Quick Guide for Postsecondary Institutions

As digital accessibility continues to move to the forefront of education policy and legislation, it’s more important than ever for institutions to understand the tools and documentation that help ensure inclusive learning environments. One of those tools is the VPAT, or Voluntary Product Accessibility Template—a critical document for evaluating the accessibility of digital tools and platforms.

This blog is your quick introduction to VPATs. In a follow-up post, we’ll dive into why VPATs are especially important for educational institutions.

What is a VPAT?

A VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) is a standardized document that helps organizations evaluate how well a digital product or service conforms to accessibility standards. Originally developed by the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), the VPAT has become a de facto tool for vendors and buyers to communicate and assess accessibility features.

When completed, a VPAT becomes an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR)—a document that outlines how a product aligns with various accessibility guidelines and standards, such as:

    • WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)
    • Section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act
    • EN 301 549, the European Union’s digital accessibility standard

Each section of a VPAT evaluates specific accessibility criteria and includes a conformance level (e.g., supports, partially supports, does not support), along with explanations and notes for each item.

Why are VPATs Important?

VPATs help organizations make informed decisions about the technologies they use, especially when accessibility is a legal or ethical requirement. For institutions of higher education—many of which are subject to Section 508 or other federal/state procurement rules—having access to a product’s VPAT is crucial when selecting tools for teaching, publishing, or campus-wide deployment.

A VPAT can tell you:

    • Whether a product is accessible to users with disabilities
    • Where accessibility gaps exist (and how serious they are)
    • How a vendor is approaching accessibility in terms of design, testing, and remediation

They’re not just compliance checklists—they’re part of a broader commitment to equity in digital learning environments.

How Do You Use a VPAT?

Reading a VPAT can feel technical, but it’s designed to be readable by non-specialists. You don’t need to be a developer to use one. Look for:

    • Overall conformance to key guidelines like WCAG 2.1 AA
    • Explanations in the “Remarks and Explanations” column—these offer insight into how a product meets (or doesn’t meet) the criteria
    • Testing methods, which help you assess how rigorously the product was evaluated

You might also want to consult with accessibility experts at your institution, who can help interpret the VPAT in context.

VPATs and Evolving U.S. Accessibility Law

The accessibility landscape is shifting. In 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice signaled renewed enforcement of digital accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), especially for public entities, including many colleges and universities. Meanwhile, Section 508 remains a baseline requirement for federal programs and grantees.

As a result, VPATs are becoming an increasingly common part of procurement and compliance processes—not just for legal due diligence, but also as part of an institutional commitment to inclusive education.

Coming Soon: Why VPATs Matter in Education

In our next post, we’ll explore the broader significance of VPATs in education. We’ll look at how they support institutional accessibility goals, how they relate to procurement processes, and how they can help foster a more inclusive learning environment for all students.

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References & Further Reading

Featured photo by Fox: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-woman-using-laptop-1595389/