Introduction
Do you ever wonder if the VPAT report you’re reading is accurate? A VPAT, or Voluntary Product Accessibility Template, is a document that helps organizations assess the accessibility of their ICT products and services. However, it can be challenging to determine whether a VPAT report accurately reflects a product’s level of accessibility.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss nine ways you can confidently assess the accuracy of a VPAT report. By the end of this post, you’ll have a better understanding of how to evaluate VPATs and ensure that they provide accurate information.
Knowing the purpose of the VPAT report
The first step in assessing the accuracy of a VPAT report is understanding its purpose. A VPAT is a tool used by organizations to evaluate the accessibility of their ICT products and services. The report is filled out by the organization itself, and it outlines how well their product or service meets various accessibility standards.
Check the product’s accessibility criteria
VPAT reports are based on specific accessibility criteria known as the Section 508 Standards or the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. Make sure to compare the accessibility criteria mentioned in the VPAT report against the current versions of the standards online.
Ensure that the VPAT report describes the product accurately
When evaluating a VPAT report, ensure that the report description is accurate and comprehensive. If the report lacks detailed information, it makes it difficult to tell whether the product is accessible. Digging deeper into the documentation can help clarify the accessibility level of the product.
Check if VPAT report evaluates all functions of the product
Ensure the VPAT report you’re analyzing covers all functionalities of the product or service. An organization may not include all features that they offer, so check its report to ensure they have included coverage of critical features to evaluate its accessibility.
Look for the VPAT evaluator’s qualifications
Check the credentials and the experience of the person (or team) that assessed the product’s accessibility for the VPAT report. The evaluator should have a thorough understanding of accessibility standards, technical expertise, and specific product knowledge for them to be considered qualified.
Request supporting accessibility documentation from the organization
To gain a clearer understanding of the accessibility of the product or service, you can invite the organization to provide additional documentation. For example, asking for an accessibility audit to compare the VPAT report results to the results of an independent accessibility audit.
Consider feedback from users with disabilities
Feedback from users with disabilities is invaluable when evaluating the accessibility of a product. These users can share their first-hand experiences with the product and provide feedback that can’t be found in VPATs. Organizations should also publish case studies or user-testing reports to help whoever is evaluating their products at the accessibility level.
Be familiar with accessibility tools
To evaluate the accuracy of a VPAT report, you should be aware of various accessibility tools, such as screen readers, simulations, and color checkers. These tools simulate accessibility issues in the product, which leads to a more informed evaluation process of the VPAT at hand.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: Can organizations hire third-party evaluators to conduct a VPAT assessment?
A: Yes, organizations can hire independent third-party evaluators to evaluate the accessibility of their product and generate a VPAT report objectively.
Q: What is the role of VPAT in legal disputes?
A: A VPAT is a voluntary document that organizations use to self-report on the accessibility of their products. In legal disputes, VPATs may be used as evidence of the organization’s knowledge of accessibility or inaccessibility.
Q: What are the different WCAG levels mentioned in a VPAT report?
A: VPAT reports classify the compliance level of the product using the AA or AAA compliance levels defined in the WCAG standards.
Q: What is the difference between VPAT and an accessibility statement?
A: A VPAT report outlines specific accessibility criteria for a product, while an accessibility statement provides a high-level overview of the organization’s commitment to accessibility and any recommended accommodations.
Q: Are all accessibility features mentioned in VPAT reports testable?
A: Unfortunately, no. Organizations may not be able to test certain accessibility criteria without the support of expert testers or users with disabilities.
Q: Can accessibility issues be reported in a VPAT report?
A: Yes, organizations can report accessibility issues in a VPAT report. However, it’s ideal to state a plan or solution to resolve the accessibility issues.
Q: Is it mandatory for organizations to generate a VPAT report?
A: No, it is voluntary for organizations to create a VPAT report. However, the VPAT report is a useful tool to evaluate product accessibility and can be requested by clients or users concerned with the accessibility of the product.
Conclusion
Evaluating the accuracy of a VPAT report is critical to understanding the accessibility of a product or service. With the nine methods we discussed in this post, you should be able to evaluate a VPAT report confidently. Always remember to check the product’s accessibility criteria, evaluate the VPAT report, and leverage user feedback and accessibility tools. A VPAT report alone may not be comprehensive enough to ascertain the product’s accessibility level, so always dig deeper into the documentation supplied. With a more in-depth understanding of the VPAT report, you can make informed decisions and ensure that your digital products and services are accessible to all users, regardless of their abilities.