Exploring VPAT 2.5 and its Impact on Business Success and Government Contracts
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What is the VPAT 2.5 edition?
The Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) 2.5 version is the most recent iteration published by the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI). Its release, which took place in November 2023, represented a significant breakthrough in information and communication technology (ICT) accessibility reporting. Understanding the new VPAT edition is going to be a game-changer for your business or organization if you run a public-facing website or application or hope to pursue submitting requests for government contracts.
For starters, the VPAT is a free template that translates accessibility requirements and standards into actionable testing criteria for ICT products and services. You can test your ICT product or service against each section of the VPAT and use the template to document the results. Once completed, the VPAT becomes an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR). An ACR provides details of the accessibility features that a tested ICT product or service has.
Because ACRs done on VPAT 2.5 are so good at helping buyers and sellers locate ICT products and services with the accessibility characteristics they want, they have become the most required version of are quickly taking the accessibility documentation-reporting world by storm. The reason for this is that VPAT 2.5's main update realigns standards throughout its four versions. From universities to government entities, procurement departments, and compliance officers are favoring the submittal of the new VPAT 2.5 edition.
The improved reporting structure is a crucial addition shared by all VPAT 2.5 editions. The versions substitute "Partially Supports" for the "Support With Exceptions" conformance category that was present in the VPAT 2.4 template.
Additionally, the VPAT 2.5 edition adds a special column for in-depth justifications of every reported conformance level. This allows the author to go into detail about the subtle differences that contribute to the distinctive qualities of each criterion's particular ICT product or service element.
The primary ICT accessibility standards, EN 301 549 (EU), Section 508 (US), and W3W/WAI Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) criteria, are included in VPAT 2.5. Also, by adding a thorough explanation column for each conformance level, this edition of the VPAT improves accessibility reporting by providing clearer insights into the accessibility-related to a particular ICT product or service.
The Editions of VPAT 2.5 Explained
With multiple versions available, VPAT 2.5 fully complies with the most important international accessibility reporting criteria. You may select from the four editions of the template, each of which is suited to particular markets and legal requirements, according to your business's or organization's needs. The editions are as follows:
- VPAT 2.5 508 that focuses on the Revised Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. If your business or organization engages with or aspires to engage with that US Federal Government and/or the organizations that receive federal funding, this is the VPAT 2.5 edition to use in developing your VPAT ACR.
- VPAT 2.5 EU that focuses on the European Union (EU)’s accessibility requirements for public procurements. VPAT 2.5 EU covers the EN 301 549 accessibility requirements for public procurement in the entire EU market.
- VPAT 2.5 WCAG that includes WCAG 2.0. WCAG 2.1, and the latest WCAG guidelines for comprehensive web content accessibility, namely, WCAG 2.2 guidelines.
- VPAT 2.5 INT that comprehensively incorporates all the other updated versions of the accessibility standards, namely, VPAT 2.5 508, VPAT 2.5 EU, and VPAT 2.5 WCAG. This edition of VPAT 2.5 is ideal for global applicability.
Understanding the VPAT 2.5 Conformance Levels
It's useful to know the different VPAT 2.5 conformance levels so that you can appropriately state the level of compliance for your ICT services or products. A four-tiered approach is used by VPAT 2.5 to display the conformance level of an ICT product or service. The "Supports," "Partially Supports," "Does Not Support," and "Not Applicable" compliance levels are included in VPAT 2.5. The conformance levels can be explained as follows:
- The “Supports” conformance level applies where an ICT product or service fully meets the criteria underpinning a given accessibility standard, without any exceptions.
- The “Partially Supports” conformance level applies to situations where the ICT product or service meets some of the criteria set out in respect of the accessibility standards.
- The “Does Not Support” conformance level applies to situations where an ICT product or service fails to meet the criteria set out in the applicable accessibility standards.
- The “Not Applicable” conformance level applies in situations where the criteria underpinning a given accessibility standard do not apply to the ICT product or service under consideration.
Distinctions Between VPAT 2.5 and VPAT 2.4 and Why Switch to VPAT 2.5
As previously mentioned, the accessibility standards for the four editions of the VPAT 2.5 are now aligned. While the VPAT 2.5 EU edition now incorporates the most recent version of EN 301 549, the VPAT 2.5 508 edition still adheres to Section 508 accessibility criteria.
The improved WCAG 2.2 is now included in the VPAT 2.5 WCAG edition, along with the previous iterations (WCAG 2.1 and WCAG 2.0). The improvements in VPAT 2.5 508, VPAT 2.5 EU, and VPAT 2.5 WCAG have been incorporated into the VPAT 2.5 INT version.
Businesses and organizations are reporting how they are successfully leveraging VPAT 2.5 to their advantage. That is because this iteration of the VPAT is giving them a real edge over their competitors by giving them an opportunity to demonstrate how they meet the essential accessibility standards that are crucial in government contracts.
The detailed nature of VPAT 2.5 editions enables businesses and organizations using them to highlight their dedication to inclusivity, thus setting them apart in the ever-competitive market.
The businesses and organizations reporting on their use of VPAT 2.5 say that the template is more than just a document. Rather, it is a strategic asset for businesses or organizations aiming to secure government contracts as well as demonstrate leadership in fostering inclusivity.
When a business or organization adeptly navigates the accessibility requirements set out in the selected VPAT 2.5 edition, it leverages its potential to showcase a commitment to accessibility and inclusivity. This can endear the business or organization to gaining new opportunities as well as building a reputation as an inclusive and forward-thinking enterprise.
Best Practice for VPAT 2.5 Accessibility Testing
Businesses and organizations are quickly realizing how important it is to use VPAT 2.5 to further their organizational and business achievements, including obtaining federal government contracts. The difficulty lies in the fact that writing the VPAT 2.5 ACR is such a complex process that calls for in-depth knowledge of both the technical code of websites, SaaS, mobile applications, and other digital goods and services, in addition to the accessibility guidelines for each VPAT 2.5 edition.
It is becoming more and more recommended practice to outsource the creation of VPAT 2.5 ACRs to experts due to the unique nature of the reports. The rationale for this is that it guarantees that ACRs adhere to current guidelines and demonstrate a sincere dedication to accessibility. There's no denying the greater legitimacy of a VPAT 2.5 ACR written by an impartial third party. In fact, more and more compliance and procurement officers are rejecting self-reported VPATs.
Tip for Choosing a VPAT 2.5 ACR Author for ICT Your Product/Service
Selecting the appropriate VPAT 2.5 ACR author is just as crucial as converting to VPAT 2.5 for your accessibility reports. Beyond determining if your ICT product or service complies with applicable accessibility standards, a qualified VPAT 2.5 ACR author will offer you crucial clarification and valuable insights into the accessibility testing procedure.
For example, ADACP will provide you with charts the detailed audit reports, indicating how your product or service fares in terms of the VPAT 2.5 conformance distribution, which will enable your team to smoothly make the required corrections to improve your accessibility to visually appreciate how the product or service aligns with the existing accessibility benchmarks.
We have found this approach to be very helpful in simplifying our clients’ understanding of the accessibility profiles for their ICT products or services. It also strategically highlights the strengths your product or service has as well as areas for improvement.
Let ADACP Help You With VPAT 2.5 ACR Authoring
If you’d like help with VPAT 2.5 ACR authoring, we have decades of experience in assessing the accessibility of ICT products and services as well as completing the various editions of the VPAT template. Book a free consultation by calling us at (626) 486-2201 and let’s help you leverage your business or organization through an exquisitely authored VPAT 2.5 ACR. You could also check out our VPAT 2.5 ACR Example.
What is the VPAT 2.5 edition?
The Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) 2.5 version is the most recent iteration published by the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI). Its release, which took place in November 2023, represented a significant breakthrough in information and communication technology (ICT) accessibility reporting. Understanding the new VPAT edition is going to be a game-changer for your business or organization if you run a public-facing website or application or hope to pursue submitting requests for government contracts.
For starters, the VPAT is a free template that translates accessibility requirements and standards into actionable testing criteria for ICT products and services. You can test your ICT product or service against each section of the VPAT and use the template to document the results. Once completed, the VPAT becomes an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR). An ACR provides details of the accessibility features that a tested ICT product or service has.
Because ACRs done on VPAT 2.5 are so good at helping buyers and sellers locate ICT products and services with the accessibility characteristics they want, they have become the most required version of are quickly taking the accessibility documentation-reporting world by storm. The reason for this is that VPAT 2.5's main update realigns standards throughout its four versions. From universities to government entities, procurement departments, and compliance officers are favoring the submittal of the new VPAT 2.5 edition.
The improved reporting structure is a crucial addition shared by all VPAT 2.5 editions. The versions substitute "Partially Supports" for the "Support With Exceptions" conformance category that was present in the VPAT 2.4 template.
Additionally, the VPAT 2.5 edition adds a special column for in-depth justifications of every reported conformance level. This allows the author to go into detail about the subtle differences that contribute to the distinctive qualities of each criterion's particular ICT product or service element.
The primary ICT accessibility standards, EN 301 549 (EU), Section 508 (US), and W3W/WAI Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) criteria, are included in VPAT 2.5. Also, by adding a thorough explanation column for each conformance level, this edition of the VPAT improves accessibility reporting by providing clearer insights into the accessibility-related to a particular ICT product or service.
The Editions of VPAT 2.5 Explained
With multiple versions available, VPAT 2.5 fully complies with the most important international accessibility reporting criteria. You may select from the four editions of the template, each of which is suited to particular markets and legal requirements, according to your business's or organization's needs. The editions are as follows:
- VPAT 2.5 508 that focuses on the Revised Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. If your business or organization engages with or aspires to engage with that US Federal Government and/or the organizations that receive federal funding, this is the VPAT 2.5 edition to use in developing your VPAT ACR.
- VPAT 2.5 EU that focuses on the European Union (EU)’s accessibility requirements for public procurements. VPAT 2.5 EU covers the EN 301 549 accessibility requirements for public procurement in the entire EU market.
- VPAT 2.5 WCAG that includes WCAG 2.0. WCAG 2.1, and the latest WCAG guidelines for comprehensive web content accessibility, namely, WCAG 2.2 guidelines.
- VPAT 2.5 INT that comprehensively incorporates all the other updated versions of the accessibility standards, namely, VPAT 2.5 508, VPAT 2.5 EU, and VPAT 2.5 WCAG. This edition of VPAT 2.5 is ideal for global applicability.
Understanding the VPAT 2.5 Conformance Levels
It's useful to know the different VPAT 2.5 conformance levels so that you can appropriately state the level of compliance for your ICT services or products. A four-tiered approach is used by VPAT 2.5 to display the conformance level of an ICT product or service. The "Supports," "Partially Supports," "Does Not Support," and "Not Applicable" compliance levels are included in VPAT 2.5. The conformance levels can be explained as follows:
- The “Supports” conformance level applies where an ICT product or service fully meets the criteria underpinning a given accessibility standard, without any exceptions.
- The “Partially Supports” conformance level applies to situations where the ICT product or service meets some of the criteria set out in respect of the accessibility standards.
- The “Does Not Support” conformance level applies to situations where an ICT product or service fails to meet the criteria set out in the applicable accessibility standards.
- The “Not Applicable” conformance level applies in situations where the criteria underpinning a given accessibility standard do not apply to the ICT product or service under consideration.
Distinctions Between VPAT 2.5 and VPAT 2.4 and Why Switch to VPAT 2.5
As previously mentioned, the accessibility standards for the four editions of the VPAT 2.5 are now aligned. While the VPAT 2.5 EU edition now incorporates the most recent version of EN 301 549, the VPAT 2.5 508 edition still adheres to Section 508 accessibility criteria.
The improved WCAG 2.2 is now included in the VPAT 2.5 WCAG edition, along with the previous iterations (WCAG 2.1 and WCAG 2.0). The improvements in VPAT 2.5 508, VPAT 2.5 EU, and VPAT 2.5 WCAG have been incorporated into the VPAT 2.5 INT version.
Businesses and organizations are reporting how they are successfully leveraging VPAT 2.5 to their advantage. That is because this iteration of the VPAT is giving them a real edge over their competitors by giving them an opportunity to demonstrate how they meet the essential accessibility standards that are crucial in government contracts.
The detailed nature of VPAT 2.5 editions enables businesses and organizations using them to highlight their dedication to inclusivity, thus setting them apart in the ever-competitive market.
The businesses and organizations reporting on their use of VPAT 2.5 say that the template is more than just a document. Rather, it is a strategic asset for businesses or organizations aiming to secure government contracts as well as demonstrate leadership in fostering inclusivity.
When a business or organization adeptly navigates the accessibility requirements set out in the selected VPAT 2.5 edition, it leverages its potential to showcase a commitment to accessibility and inclusivity. This can endear the business or organization to gaining new opportunities as well as building a reputation as an inclusive and forward-thinking enterprise.
Best Practice for VPAT 2.5 Accessibility Testing
Businesses and organizations are quickly realizing how important it is to use VPAT 2.5 to further their organizational and business achievements, including obtaining federal government contracts. The difficulty lies in the fact that writing the VPAT 2.5 ACR is such a complex process that calls for in-depth knowledge of both the technical code of websites, SaaS, mobile applications, and other digital goods and services, in addition to the accessibility guidelines for each VPAT 2.5 edition.
It is becoming more and more recommended practice to outsource the creation of VPAT 2.5 ACRs to experts due to the unique nature of the reports. The rationale for this is that it guarantees that ACRs adhere to current guidelines and demonstrate a sincere dedication to accessibility. There's no denying the greater legitimacy of a VPAT 2.5 ACR written by an impartial third party. In fact, more and more compliance and procurement officers are rejecting self-reported VPATs.
Tip for Choosing a VPAT 2.5 ACR Author for ICT Your Product/Service
Selecting the appropriate VPAT 2.5 ACR author is just as crucial as converting to VPAT 2.5 for your accessibility reports. Beyond determining if your ICT product or service complies with applicable accessibility standards, a qualified VPAT 2.5 ACR author will offer you crucial clarification and valuable insights into the accessibility testing procedure.
For example, ADACP will provide you with charts the detailed audit reports, indicating how your product or service fares in terms of the VPAT 2.5 conformance distribution, which will enable your team to smoothly make the required corrections to improve your accessibility to visually appreciate how the product or service aligns with the existing accessibility benchmarks.
We have found this approach to be very helpful in simplifying our clients’ understanding of the accessibility profiles for their ICT products or services. It also strategically highlights the strengths your product or service has as well as areas for improvement.
Let ADACP Help You With VPAT 2.5 ACR Authoring
If you’d like help with VPAT 2.5 ACR authoring, we have decades of experience in assessing the accessibility of ICT products and services as well as completing the various editions of the VPAT template. Book a free consultation by calling us at (626) 486-2201 and let’s help you leverage your business or organization through an exquisitely authored VPAT 2.5 ACR. You could also check out our VPAT 2.5 ACR Example.
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