An Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR), of which a completed Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is a form of, is a way for digital technology manufacturers to report the conformance of their product with digital disability accessibility standards such as WCAG 2.1 or Section 508 (2018).
More Information
- An Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) shows the extent to which a digital technology meets an accessibility technical standard such as WCAG2.1 or Section508.
- a VPAT is a template that suppliers can use to complete an ACR. VPAT stands for Voluntary Product Accessibility Template.
- VPAT templates exist for both WCAG2.1 (the standard the University uses) and Section508 2018 (the standard used by the US Federal Government).
- A pre-2018 Section 508 VPAT is not acceptable because its standards are obsolete.
- The university prefers a WCAG2.1 report but will accept a Section508 2018 report if that is the only type available.
- If your supplier has never heard of an ACR or VPAT, you can point them to the home of VPATs at www.itic.org
VPAT Versions
The ITIC developed and maintains the VPAT templates. The VPAT "version" is not the same as the version of an accessibility standard. For example, WCAG version 2.1 is included in the ITIC VPAT versions 2.3 & 2.4.
- The University accepts ACRs based on completed VPAT versions 2.2 or higher for technologies that do not include mobile apps, such as for devices such as phones and tablets.
- For technologies that include apps for mobile devices, such as phones or tablets, the university requires a WCAG 2.1 VPAT version 2.3 or higher.
- VPAT version history at www.itic.org
WARNING: If a supplier cannot provide an Accessibility Conformance Report then the University must assume that the product is not accessible
Environment
- UMS Digital Accessibility