What’s a VPAT, and do you need one?

If you’ve heard the term “VPAT” floating around in accessibility conversations, you’re not alone. It’s one of those acronyms that sounds more technical and intimidating than it really is.

What is a VPAT?

VPAT stands for Voluntary Product Accessibility Template. It’s a standardized form developed by the U.S. government to evaluate how well a product — like a website, web app, or piece of software — meets the accessibility requirements outlined in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

When someone fills out a VPAT, the result is called an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR).

So, in summary, a VPAT is the blank template, and an ACR is the completed report.

The ACR lists which accessibility criteria your product meets, partially meets, or does not meet, usually based on WCAG 2.1 standards. It’s a transparency tool, not a pass/fail test.

Who needs a VPAT or ACR?

You may need an ACR if:

• You’re selling digital products to federal or state agencies
• You’re a vendor in the education, healthcare, or public sector
• You’ve been asked for one in an RFP or procurement process
• You want to demonstrate transparency about your accessibility efforts

Even if you’re not legally required to have one, it can be helpful to document where your product stands — especially if you’re working toward better accessibility over time.

But here’s the important part: A VPAT is not a certificate

There’s no such thing as an official “accessibility certification” in the U.S. — no badge or gold star that proves your website is fully accessible. And a VPAT doesn’t change that.

It’s just a self-disclosure document. You or an accessibility consultant fills it out based on testing, audits, and expertise.

That means:

• A VPAT/ACR is only as accurate as the work behind it
• It doesn’t protect you from lawsuits
• It doesn’t guarantee a product is usable for people with disabilities

What it can do is show that you’re taking accessibility seriously, identifying known barriers, and working toward improvements — which can build trust with clients, procurement teams, and the disability community.

So, should you get one?

If you’re trying to work with government agencies, yes — you’ll likely need one. If not, it depends on your goals and your audience.

At the very least, you should know what a VPAT is and what purpose it serves in the accessibility ecosystem.