In our previous blog post, we introduced the VPAT—a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template that outlines how digital tools and platforms align with accessibility standards like WCAG 2.1, Section 508, and EN 301 549.
For higher education institutions, a VPAT isn’t just a technical document—it’s a key resource in building inclusive digital learning environments and fulfilling legal and ethical obligations. In this post, we explore why VPATs matter so much in educational settings and how they can support your institution’s accessibility goals.
Accessibility is Essential in Education
Higher education is increasingly digital, and that shift brings both opportunities and responsibilities. When learning materials, publishing platforms, and classroom tools aren’t accessible, students with disabilities can face unnecessary barriers to participation.
Federal and state laws require institutions to ensure equal access to digital resources, and VPATs help fulfill that requirement by making it easier to evaluate and procure accessible technology.
Supporting Inclusive Teaching and Learning
Accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it’s about equity.
Faculty and staff who are creating or adopting digital content need tools that help them serve all students. When a platform is accessible, it empowers educators to design more inclusive learning experiences from the start—rather than retrofitting them later.
A VPAT gives educators and instructional designers confidence that the tools they’re using align with universal design principles and help reduce the need for last-minute accommodations.
Transparency and Accountability
A VPAT is more than a checkbox—it’s a snapshot of a vendor’s approach to accessibility. It gives your institution a chance to assess:
- How seriously a vendor takes accessibility
- Where potential barriers or gaps exist in a product
- What steps are being taken to fix known issues
This kind of transparency is important, especially when you’re working with third-party vendors or deploying technology across an entire campus. A VPAT enables IT teams, procurement officers, and accessibility coordinators to make better-informed decisions and advocate for improvements when needed.
VPATs are also valuable to faculty, instructional designers, and accessibility specialists who need to plan for accommodations. By highlighting accessibility gaps, a VPAT helps determine not just how accessible a resource is, but also helps to estimate the time, effort, and cost required to support students who need accommodations. If a tool has significant accessibility gaps, an institution may conclude that the burden of remediation is too high and recommend selecting a more accessible alternative.
Legal Compliance: A VPAT Supports Procurement and Risk Mitigation
Federal and regional regulations require institutions to ensure equal access to digital resources—and a VPAT helps fulfill that responsibility.
- United States: Most colleges and universities must comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Title II of the ADA, and Section 508, which governs the accessibility of information and communication technology (ICT). A VPAT demonstrates due diligence and may be required in procurement policies in states like California and Texas.
- Canada: The Accessible Canada Act (ACA) and provincial legislation such as the AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) require public institutions and federally regulated sectors to remove barriers to access. A VPAT can help organizations evaluate vendors and demonstrate compliance with these standards.
- Australia: Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and associated web accessibility guidance (such as the Australian Government’s Digital Service Standard), institutions are expected to ensure ICT and digital content are accessible. A VPAT provides clear documentation that a tool has been evaluated against global standards like WCAG 2.1.
- European Union: The European Accessibility Act and EN 301 549 require that public sector websites and mobile apps meet accessibility requirements. Many higher education institutions in the EU use VPATs as part of their procurement and compliance processes to meet these obligations.
No matter your jurisdiction, VPATs help institutions reduce legal risk, build trust with stakeholders, and uphold commitments to inclusive education
Driving Institutional Change
When accessibility is built into procurement, it becomes a shared responsibility. By requiring VPATs during vendor evaluation, institutions:
- Signal their commitment to inclusive education
- Normalize accessibility as a core consideration
- Encourage vendors to invest in more accessible product design
It should be shared across procurement teams, IT departments, instructional designers, faculty, accessibility specialists, institutional leadership, and third party vendors. When each of these stakeholders considers accessibility part of their mandate, it becomes embedded in decision-making, resource planning, and everyday practice.
In this way, VPATs can help shift accessibility from a reactive process to a proactive strategy—one that strengthens your institution’s overall digital infrastructure and culture of inclusion.
Need Help Understanding VPATs or Accessibility at Pressbooks?
Visit our accessibility page to learn more about how we support accessible publishing, or read our previous blog What is a VPAT? A Quick Guide for Postsecondary Institutions
References & Further Reading
- Section508.gov – Buy Accessible: What to Ask Vendors
- EDUCAUSE – Digital Accessibility in Higher Ed
- DOJ Guidance on Web Accessibility and the ADA
- W3C – The Importance of Accessibility in Education