Whether you teach at an institution of higher education or manage one, one of your duties is to ensure that your institution engages with its students. However, around 20% of college students report having a disability. While physical infrastructure plays a crucial role in student mobility, digital accessibility allows everyone to participate in online and offline class activities.
Digital accessibility does not only mean that your course content and other learning materials are accessible to students with disabilities; it also means that the software and hardware that your institution uses or distributes to students is also inclusive. Asking potential vendors for a VPAT template will allow you to choose products that everyone can use, regardless of their disability. Let’s discuss the nature of a VPAT and what you can expect to
What is a VPAT Template?
A VPAT template is a vendor document that discusses their product’s accessibility compliance status based on Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. While private colleges are not directly covered by Section 508, which governs federal agencies, they still need to comply with the law to stay eligible for federal funding such as study or research grants.
In the context of higher education, a VPAT helps procurement professionals answer the following questions before making a purchase decision:
- How accessible is this product?
- How does this product compare with competitors in terms of accessibility?
- Does this product meet the institution’s accessibility standards and other legal and regulatory requirements?
Different VPAT versions are available for different markets, each following a separate version of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The one used for Section 508 follows WCAG 2.0, while the EU and international versions follow WCAG 2.1 and 2.2, respectively. All versions of the VPAT contain the following items:
- A short product description
- A discussion of the methods used to assess product accessibility
- A table listing relevant WCAG success criteria, the product’s conformance level, and remarks about the product’s performance in testing
- A table about functional performance criteria for users with specific disabilities, such as visual impairment or limited cognitive ability.
- Hardware- and software-specific testing results.
While a VPAT is not a substitute for testing before actual purchase and implementation, the sections listed above will give you a good idea of the product’s accessibility under Section 508.
Why should you Insist on VPAT Templates for your Vendors?
The “V” in VPAT stands for “Voluntary”, which implies that vendors are not required to disclose their accessibility testing results and aren’t breaking any laws by not creating or posting a VPAT on their website. However, a VPAT signifies that a vendor is serious about making its products accessible to individuals with disabilities.
A VPAT forms part of an Accessibility Conformance Report, which helps vendors and buyers identify accessible information and communications technology (ICT) products. Most VPATs and ACRs are available on product vendors’ websites. Otherwise, you may ask potential vendors to include VPATs in their bid documents or proposals. In addition, you may ask a third-party auditor to perform an accessibility assessment on shortlisted vendors before making a final decision.
VPAT Templates: Helping Institutions Identify Accessible Products
Under Section 508, colleges and universities that receive federal funding should ensure that their digital spaces and learning content are accessible to students with disabilities. Using accessible software and hardware products is one way of complying with accessibility regulations. Requiring potential vendors to post or submit a VPAT template allows you to identify products that have been assessed for accessibility and determine if their features are aligned with your institution’s inclusivity policies.