Is The VPAT A Legal Document?

What Is A Legal Document?

When I was undertaking an assessment for VPAT accessibility on a SaaS product that had recently launched into the market, a member of the institution’s internal team asked me the difference that exists between the terms “VPAT accessibility” and “accessibility VPAT.”

She also sought to know whether the VPAT was a legal document. I will address these questions in this article so as to help anyone that has similar knowledge needs. But first, I will explain what a VPAT is.

What Is A VPAT?

The term “VPAT” is an acronym for Voluntary Product Accessibility Template. This is a standard template that was developed by the Information Technology Industry Council (ITIC) in collaboration with the U.S. federal government’s General Services Administration to facilitate the reporting of levels of compliance for electronic information technology products and services by vendors.

In response to the requirement in Revised Section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act that the federal government acquires, develops, uses, and maintains electronic information technology (EIT) products or services that are accessible to people with disabilities, the VPAT was developed to standardize conformance reporting.

Before delving into the question of whether a VPAT is a legal document, let’s look at the terms connected to the VPAT, which you’re likely to engage with regularly. These are VPAT accessibility, accessibility VPAT, and VPAT assessment.

What Is VPAT Accessibility? 

VPAT accessibility is the practice of making sure that all electronic information and technology products and services are developed in ways that ensures their broadest available human use, including among people with disabilities, as required by the Revised Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

What Is Accessibility VPAT?

The term “Accessibility VPAT” refers to a VPAT that is able to effectively guide a vendor towards an accurate self-declaration of the accessibility status of his or her EIT products or services.The VPAT is available in four versions: the VPAT WCAG 2.0 or 2.1, the VPAT Section 508, the VPAT EU, and the VPAT INT.

Using the Section 508 VPAT, for instance, which is best suited for the U.S. federal government market, will preclude you from offering your products or services in the EU. In order to ensure VPAT accessibility, it is, therefore, necessary to choose the right accessibility VPAT when doing the required VPAT assessments.

VPAT Assessment

VPAT assessment refers tothe evaluation of an EIT product or service’s accessibility in accordance with the established standards, and using the relevant accessibility VPAT.

The Legality Of A VPAT Document

Let’s first define a legal document in order to determine whether a VPAT qualifies as one. A legal document is a formally signed written record that lists and expresses legally binding acts, processes, or contractual obligations, rights, or responsibilities. It serves as evidence of those acts, processes, or agreements.

The VPAT is intended to help businesses or organizations explain how their EIT products and services meet or fall short of the defined accessibility requirements. As the name implies, it is voluntary.

It is challenging to determine whether a VPAT is legal or not because it is optional but you cannot sell your IET products or services to federal organizations without one.

When, by its strength, a business secures a contract to supply products or services, it becomes a legal document because failure to supply the products or services to the conformance levels indicated in the underpinning VPAT accessibility conformance report (ACR) will have consequences that are legally enforceable. Your VPAT ACR cannot be a legal document if you fill it out and keep it private. It is only legal after you make it known to the public.

In a nutshell, not all VPATs are legal documents. Only the publicly accessible VPATs are!

Need Help With VPAT Accessibility?

If you need help with filling out your VPAT, a Section 508 VPAT example is provided here to guide you. If you have further questions or need assistance with any services within the VPAT ecosystem, call (626) 486-2201 or use this link to talk to a VPAT accessibility expert.