What is a VPAT? Top Industry Expert Tips on Requirements for Marketing Your Products Easy

What is a VPAT

Businesses must ensure that their products are accessible to all users, including individuals with disabilities. To assist with this, many companies turn to the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT). But what exactly is a VPAT, and why is it important?

In this blog post, we will explore the definition of a VPAT and provide you with six expert tips to help you market your products more easily while meeting accessibility requirements.


Understanding the VPAT

Understanding the VPAT

The Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is a comprehensive document that provides a detailed assessment of a product's accessibility features and its compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Section 508 mandates that federal agencies make their electronic and information technology accessible to individuals with disabilities. While the VPAT is voluntary, it has become an essential tool for organizations to assess and communicate the accessibility of their products.

The VPAT acts as a roadmap for understanding the accessibility aspects of a product. It can cover product accessibility by specific sections and categories that address different areas of accessibility, such as software applications, web content, documentation, hardware, and support. The template prompts the product creators to evaluate their offerings against a set of accessibility criteria and provide an accurate representation of the product's compliance with the standards.

Within the VPAT, you will typically find a detailed description of the product, including its purpose, functionality, and intended users. The document then delves into the accessibility features and provides an assessment of the level of compliance achieved. It identifies specific accessibility standards, such as Section 508, WCAG, or ADA, and explains how the product aligns with these standards.


Know the Applicable Standards

Before creating a VPAT, it is essential to understand the relevant accessibility standards for your industry. One of the most widely recognized standards is Section 508, which applies to federal agencies. This standard covers various aspects of accessibility, including web content, software applications, and electronic documents.

Additionally, familiarize yourself with other important standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III. Understanding these standards will help you ensure that your VPAT accurately reflects the level of accessibility compliance your product achieves.


Conduct Thorough Accessibility Testing

To create an accurate VPAT, comprehensive accessibility testing is crucial. This involves evaluating your product's user interface, content, and functionality to identify any potential accessibility barriers.

Consider leveraging automated testing tools that can scan your digital assets for accessibility issues and provide actionable feedback. These tools can help identify common accessibility issues such as missing alternative text for images, improper heading structure, or insufficient color contrast. Automated testing provides a valuable starting point for assessing accessibility but should be complemented with manual testing to ensure a comprehensive evaluation.

Engaging individuals with disabilities in user testing is another crucial aspect of accessibility testing. By involving users with different disabilities, you can gain firsthand insights into the usability and accessibility of your product. These users can provide valuable feedback on areas that might pose challenges for them and suggest improvements to enhance accessibility.

Conducting user testing with individuals who have a range of disabilities, such as visual impairments, hearing impairments, motor disabilities, and cognitive disabilities, will help ensure that your product caters to diverse user needs.


Provide Detailed Accessibility Statements

When marketing your products, it is essential to include detailed accessibility statements. These statements should highlight the VPAT and describe the product's accessibility features, known limitations, and any accommodations available for users with disabilities.

By clearly communicating the accessibility aspects of your product, you can instill trust and confidence in potential customers. Ensure that your accessibility statements are accurate, concise, and easily accessible on your website, marketing materials, and product documentation.


Stay Updated with Accessibility Guidelines

Accessibility guidelines and standards are continuously evolving to address emerging technologies and new ways of interaction. It is crucial to stay up-to-date with the latest updates and revisions to ensure ongoing compliance. Regularly review and update your VPAT to reflect any changes in accessibility requirements and guidelines. By actively monitoring and implementing the latest accessibility best practices, you demonstrate your commitment to providing inclusive experiences for all users. This proactive approach not only ensures compliance but also helps you maintain a competitive edge in the market.

Therefore, subscribe to relevant accessibility newsletters, blogs, and forums to stay informed about the latest developments in the accessibility field. Participate in accessibility conferences, webinars, and workshops to learn from industry experts and exchange knowledge with peers. By staying connected to the accessibility community, you can gain valuable insights into emerging trends and best practices that can further improve the accessibility of your products.


Engage Accessibility Experts

Engage Accessibility Experts

Consider involving accessibility experts in the development and marketing processes. These professionals possess specialized knowledge and experience in accessibility standards and can offer valuable insights and guidance. By engaging accessibility experts early in the product lifecycle, you can ensure that accessibility considerations are integrated into the design and development stages.

Their expertise can help you identify potential barriers and provide recommendations for improvement, resulting in a more accessible and marketable product. Accessibility experts can also assist in conducting audits, usability testing, and providing training to your team, fostering a culture of accessibility within your organization.

Finally, they can provide guidance on the specific requirements of accessibility standards, help you implement accessible design principles, and offer strategies for addressing common accessibility challenges. Their expertise can also ensure that your marketing materials accurately communicate the accessibility features of your product, empowering potential customers to make informed decisions.

As the focus on digital accessibility continues to grow, businesses need to prioritize the accessibility of their products. A VPAT serves as a crucial tool for marketing products while meeting accessibility requirements. By understanding what a VPAT is and following the expert tips provided in this blog post, you can enhance your product's accessibility and position your business as a leader in creating inclusive experiences for all users.

Remember, accessibility is not only a legal obligation but also a moral imperative and a pathway to expanding your customer base. Embrace accessibility as an integral part of your product development process, and reap the benefits of an inclusive and accessible digital landscape.

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