Section 508 VPAT Template — Complete Guide for Federal Contractors 2026

If you're a federal contractor, you've likely heard of the Section 508 VPAT. The Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is the primary way to demonstrate Section 508 compliance for federal procurement. With the updated VPAT 2.5 now available, understanding how to create a Section 508 VPAT is essential for winning federal contracts.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Section 508 VPAT templates — from what they are and why they matter to how to create one and common mistakes to avoid.

What is Section 508?

Section 508 is a US federal law that requires federal agencies and their contractors to make ICT (Information and Communication Technology) accessible to people with disabilities. It was amended in 2017 to reference WCAG 2.0 Level AA (though VPAT 2.5 uses WCAG 2.1).

Section 508 applies to:

• Federal agencies: All federal government websites, apps, and software
• Federal contractors: Organizations selling to the federal government
• Organizations receiving federal funding: Many grant recipients
• State and local governments: In some cases (under ADA Title II)

What is a Section 508 VPAT?

A Section 508 VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) is a standardized document that explains how a product meets Section 508 accessibility requirements. While called "voluntary," VPATs are effectively required for federal procurement.

A Section 508 VPAT typically includes:

• Product information: Name, version, description
• WCAG 2.1 conformance: Status for each criterion
• Section 508-specific requirements: Functional performance criteria
• Detailed notes: Explanations for each criterion
• Remediation plans: Timeline for fixing issues
• Date of assessment: When the evaluation was completed

VPAT Versions — Section 508

How to Create a Section 508 VPAT

Step 1: Download the VPAT 2.5 Template

Download the latest VPAT 2.5 template from the IT Industry Council website or use our multi-law compliance checker to generate a draft.

Step 2: Evaluate Your Product

Test your product against WCAG 2.1 Level AA criteria:

• Use automated testing tools
• Conduct manual accessibility testing
• Test with screen readers (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver)
• Test with keyboard-only navigation

Step 3: Document Conformance Status

For each criterion, document:

• Supports: Fully meets the criterion
• Partially Supports: Partially meets the criterion
• Does Not Support: Does not meet the criterion
• Not Applicable: Criterion does not apply

Step 4: Include Detailed Notes

For each criterion, include:

• Explanation of the evaluation
• Remediation plans (if partially supports or does not support)
• Timeline for fixing issues

Step 5: Review and Update

Regularly review and update your VPAT:

• After product updates
• When standards change
• When new VPAT versions are released
• At least annually

Section 508 VPAT — Structure

A standard Section 508 VPAT includes:

Section 1: Product Information

• Product name and version
• Product description
• Vendor information
• Date of assessment
• Contact information

Section 2: Applicable Standards

• Section 508 (US)
• WCAG 2.1 Level AA
• EN 301 549 (EAA) — optional

Section 3: WCAG 2.1 Criteria

Detailed evaluation of each WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA criterion:

• 1.1.1 Non-text Content
• 1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only
• 1.3.1 Info and Relationships
• 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum)
• 2.1.1 Keyboard
• 2.4.1 Bypass Blocks
• 2.5.1 Pointer Gestures
• 2.5.8 Target Size (Minimum)
• And all other WCAG 2.1 A and AA criteria

Section 4: Section 508 Criteria

Section 508-specific requirements:

• 1194.21 Software Applications
• 1194.22 Web Content
• 1194.31 Functional Performance

Section 508 VPAT — Example

========================================
SECTION 508 VPAT
Voluntary Product Accessibility Template
VPAT Version 2.5
========================================

Product Name: Your Product Name
Version: 1.0
Date of Assessment: January 2026
Vendor: Your Company
Contact: accessibility@yourcompany.com

========================================
APPLICABLE STANDARDS
========================================

[✔] Section 508 (US)
[✔] WCAG 2.1 Level AA
[✔] EN 301 549 v3.2.1

========================================
WCAG 2.1 CRITERIA - CONFORMANCE STATUS
========================================

1.1.1 Non-text Content - Level A
Status: Supports
Notes: All images have descriptive alt text.

1.3.1 Info and Relationships - Level A
Status: Partially Supports
Notes: Some heading structures need improvement.
Scheduled for Q2 2026 remediation.

2.5.8 Target Size (Minimum) - Level AA
Status: Does Not Support
Notes: Touch targets below 24x24px.
Remediation planned for Q1 2026.

========================================
SECTION 508 CRITERIA
========================================

1194.22(a) - Web Content
Status: Partially Supports
Notes: Most criteria met. Some heading issues.

1194.31(a) - Functional Performance
Status: Supports
Notes: All functional performance criteria met.

========================================
REMEDIATION PLAN
========================================
Q1 2026: Fix touch target sizes
Q2 2026: Fix heading structure
Q3 2026: Complete WCAG 2.1 AA conformance

Common VPAT Mistakes for Section 508

1. Using Outdated VPAT Version

Issue: Using VPAT 2.4 or 2.3 instead of the current VPAT 2.5.

Fix: Always use the latest VPAT version (VPAT 2.5 as of 2024).

2. Incomplete Evaluation

Issue: Not all criteria are evaluated. Leaving criteria blank.

Fix: Thoroughly evaluate all criteria. Only use "Not Applicable" when the criterion truly does not apply.

3. Overly Optimistic Status

Issue: Marking criteria as "Supports" when they only partially meet the requirement.

Fix: Be honest about limitations. Use "Partially Supports" with detailed notes.

4. Missing Notes

Issue: No notes or explanations for each criterion.

Fix: Always include detailed notes for each criterion, especially for "Partially Supports" and "Does Not Support."

5. No Remediation Plan

Issue: No plan for fixing issues.

Fix: Include remediation plans and timelines for all "Partially Supports" and "Does Not Support" criteria.

Section 508 VPAT Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions — Section 508 VPAT

Internal Links — Multi-Law Compliance Resources