VPAT — Voluntary Product Accessibility Template Complete Guide 2026

VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) is a document that explains how a product or service meets accessibility standards. It's used primarily for government procurement but is increasingly important for any business selling to federal agencies or enterprises. This complete guide covers everything you need to know about VPATs — from what they are to how to create them, and why they matter for business.

What is a VPAT?

VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) is a standard document format created by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to help federal agencies evaluate the accessibility of products and services. The VPAT is used to document how a product complies with Section 508, ADA, and other accessibility standards.

When completed, a VPAT is called an ACR (Accessibility Conformance Report). Many people use the terms VPAT and ACR interchangeably.

Why VPATs Matter

VPATs are important for several reasons:

• Government procurement: Federal agencies require VPATs for purchasing products and services
• Federal contracts: Contractors must provide VPATs for their products
• Enterprise sales: Large companies often require VPATs before purchasing
• Legal protection: VPATs document your accessibility efforts
• Competitive advantage: VPATs differentiate your product in the market

VPAT Standards — What's Covered

VPATs typically cover the following standards:

• Section 508 (US) — Federal accessibility standard
• ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) — US civil rights law
• WCAG 2.1 Level AA — International technical standard
• EN 301 549 (EU) — European accessibility standard

VPAT vs ACR — What's the Difference?

• VPAT — The template (the blank form)
• ACR — The completed template (the filled-out report)

Most people use the terms interchangeably, but technically, you fill out a VPAT to create an ACR.

Types of VPATs

• VPAT 508: For Section 508 compliance
• VPAT WCAG: For WCAG 2.x compliance
• VPAT EU: For EN 301 549 (European standard)

How to Create a VPAT

Step 1: Download the VPAT Template

Download the latest VPAT template from the GSA website or ITIC (Information Technology Industry Council).

Step 2: Test Your Product's Accessibility

Use AccessiTool's free ADA compliance checker to identify accessibility gaps in your website or product.

Step 3: Document Your Findings

Fill out the VPAT template. For each success criterion, indicate whether your product meets, partially meets, or does not meet the requirement.

Step 4: Review and Finalize

Review your VPAT for accuracy. Have a legal or accessibility expert review it.

Step 5: Publish or Share

Make your VPAT available to customers, especially government buyers.

VPAT Template — Key Sections

• Product Information: Name, version, description
• Standard Used: Section 508, WCAG, EN 301 549
• Criteria Table: For each success criterion
• Conformance Level: Meets, Partially Meets, Does Not Meet
• Remarks: Additional information about the product

Why Your Business Needs a VPAT

• Government contracts: Required for federal procurement
• Enterprise sales: Many large companies require VPATs
• Legal protection: Documents your accessibility efforts
• Competitive advantage: Differentiates your product
• Trust: Demonstrates your commitment to accessibility

Frequently Asked Questions — VPAT

Internal Links — ADA Compliance Resources