VPAT Accessibility Template — Complete Guide for Federal Contractors 2026

If you're a federal contractor or supplier, you've likely encountered the term "VPAT" — the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template. A VPAT is a document that explains how a product (software, website, hardware) meets accessibility standards. It's required for Section 508 compliance and federal procurement.

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

What is a VPAT?

A VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) is a standardized document that explains how a product or service meets accessibility standards. It was developed by the IT Industry Council (ITI) and is maintained by the US Access Board.

VPATs are used primarily in federal procurement to demonstrate that products meet Section 508 requirements. While called "voluntary," VPATs are effectively required for organizations selling to the US federal government.

A VPAT typically includes:

• Product description and version information
• Applicable accessibility standards (Section 508, WCAG, EN 301 549)
• Conformance status for each criterion (Supports, Partially Supports, Does Not Support, Not Applicable)
• Notes and explanations for each criterion
• Date of assessment and contact information

Why VPATs Matter in 2026

VPATs are essential for several reasons:

1. Federal Procurement Requirements

All federal agencies require VPATs for ICT procurement. Without a VPAT, your product cannot be considered for federal contracts. Section 508 VPAT is mandatory for federal procurement.

2. Legal Protection

A VPAT demonstrates due diligence and proactive compliance. It provides legal protection by documenting accessibility conformance.

3. Competitive Advantage

Many federal contractors require VPATs from their suppliers. Having a VPAT can differentiate your product from competitors.

4. Global Accessibility

VPATs are increasingly used internationally. The EN 301 549 standard (EAA) is aligned with VPAT reporting.

VPAT Versions — What's New in VPAT 2.5?

VPAT Accessibility Template — Structure

A standard VPAT accessibility template includes the following sections:

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)
• AODA (Canada) — optional

Section 3: Conformance Status

For each criterion, the VPAT indicates:

• 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

Section 4: 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
• ... (all WCAG 2.1 A and AA criteria)

Section 5: Section 508 Criteria

Section 508-specific requirements:

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

How to Create a VPAT

Step 1: Download the VPAT 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)

Step 3: Document Results

For each criterion, document:

• Conformance status (Supports, Partially Supports, Does Not Support, Not Applicable)
• Detailed notes and explanations
• Remediation plans (if partially supports or does not support)

Step 4: Review and Update

Regularly review and update your VPAT:

• After product updates
• When standards change
• When new versions are released

VPAT 2.5 Template — Example

========================================
VOLUNTARY PRODUCT ACCESSIBILITY TEMPLATE
VPAT Version 2.5
========================================

Product Name: Your Product Name
Version: 1.0
Date: 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 (EAA)
[ ] AODA (Canada)

========================================
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.

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

========================================
CONTACT INFORMATION
========================================
For questions about this VPAT, contact accessibility@yourcompany.com

Common VPAT Mistakes

1. Incomplete Evaluation

Issue: Not all criteria are evaluated. Leaving criteria blank or marking "Not Applicable" incorrectly.

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

2. 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.

3. 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).

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."

VPAT Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions — VPAT Accessibility Template

Internal Links — Multi-Law Compliance Resources