VPAT vs WCAG: Key Differences

What is WCAG?

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is a global standard developed by the World Wide Web Consortium's (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI). 

These guidelines provide a structured framework to help make digital content more accessible to people with various disabilities. WCAG focuses on four core principles, often summarized with the acronym POUR:

1. Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presented in ways that users can perceive. This includes providing text alternatives for non-text content, captions for multimedia, and ensuring sufficient color contrast.
2. Operable: Interface components and navigation must be operable. This includes ensuring all functionalities are available via keyboard, giving users enough time to interact with content, and avoiding content that could trigger seizures.
3. Understandable: Information and user interactions must be understandable. This includes making text readable and predictable, offering input assistance, and ensuring consistent navigation across the site.
4. Robust: Content must be compatible with various user agents, including assistive technologies. This requires using valid markup and ensuring compatibility with current and future tools.

WCAG includes versions 2.0, 2.1, and 2.2 (October 2023), with A, AA, and AAA conformance levels. Level AA is most recommended, and 2.2 adds criteria for cognitive disabilities and mobile users.

What is VPAT?

The Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is a standardized document used to evaluate and report on a product or service's accessibility relative to specific accessibility standards. 

Developed by the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), the completed VPAT is also called an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR).

The VPAT template enables organizations to self-assess their products for conformance to accessibility guidelines, including:

• Section 508 (U.S.): The U.S. federal standard for accessibility.
• EN 301 549 (EU): The European Union’s standard for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) products and services.
• WCAG (W3C/WAI): The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

The VPAT is a disclosure document, not a certification, detailing a product’s accessibility features and limitations. The latest version, 2.5, aligns with WCAG 2.2.

Key Differences Between WCAG and VPAT

Though both WCAG and VPAT play essential roles in digital accessibility, they serve very different purposes. 

The key differences between these two are that WCAG provides the blueprint for accessible design, while the VPAT acts as a formal declaration of adherence to those guidelines.

How WCAG and VPAT Work Together

WCAG and VPAT complement each other in promoting digital accessibility. Here’s how:

1. WCAG as the Foundation for VPAT: VPAT editions, like VPAT 2.5, are based on WCAG guidelines. Organizations assess their product’s conformance to these criteria when filling out a VPAT.
2. VPAT Validates WCAG Adherence: A VPAT (ACR) formally documents an organization’s WCAG compliance, enabling transparency for regulatory bodies and buyers.
3. Design and Development Influence: Tools like BrowserStack Accessibility Testing support this process by automating accessibility checks, helping detect issues such as missing alt text, low contrast, and improper keyboard navigation.
4. Facilitating Procurement: For government entities and other organizations, the VPAT (ACR) serves as a key document to evaluate whether a product meets accessibility standards based on WCAG.
5. Transparency and Accountability: WCAG provides measurable standards, while VPAT reports conformance. BrowserStack simplifies the process with real-device testing to ensure ongoing compliance.

Free Accessibility Testing: BrowserStack offers free accessibility testing with unlimited automated website scans to check for WCAG compliance. 

This allows users to test user workflows across multiple pages and receive detailed accessibility insights, helping ensure that your digital content meets required accessibility standards.

Choosing Between VPAT and WCAG: What’s Best for Your Organization?

Rather than choosing one over the other, it’s important to view WCAG and VPAT as complementary tools for achieving comprehensive accessibility.

• WCAG is Essential for Development: Organizations developing digital products must prioritize WCAG guidelines throughout the development lifecycle to integrate accessibility from the start. This ensures better design and minimizes the need for costly fixes later.
• VPAT is Essential for Reporting and Procurement: For organizations selling ICT products, especially to government agencies or large enterprises, a VPAT (ACR) is often a mandatory requirement. It provides buyers with the necessary information to assess compliance with accessibility standards.

How to Use VPAT for Accessibility Reporting

To use a VPAT effectively for accessibility reporting, follow these steps:

1. Download the Latest VPAT Template: Obtain the most recent VPAT template from the ITI Council website, choosing the appropriate version (e.g., VPAT 2.5 WCAG, VPAT 2.5 508).
2. Conduct an Accessibility Audit: Before completing the VPAT, perform a thorough audit using automated testing tools, manual testing, and assistive technology like screen readers. This audit should assess the product’s conformance to the VPAT criteria.
3. Complete the Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR): Fill in the VPAT template, selecting the appropriate conformance level for each criterion and providing explanations where needed.
4. Provide Detailed Remarks: If any criteria are only partially supported or not supported, explain the issues and outline remediation plans.
5. Review and Publish: After filling out the VPAT, have it reviewed by accessibility experts and legal counsel if necessary. Publish the completed report in an accessible location on your website.
6. Maintain and Update the VPAT: Regularly update the VPAT, especially when the product is updated or new versions are released, to demonstrate ongoing accessibility compliance.

Achieving WCAG Compliance: A Step-by-Step Guide

Achieving and maintaining WCAG compliance is an ongoing process integrated into every phase of digital product development. Here’s how to ensure your organization meets WCAG standards:

1. Establish Accessibility Policies: Define clear accessibility goals and appoint a dedicated accessibility team to oversee efforts.
2. Conduct Initial and Ongoing Audits: Perform baseline accessibility audits to identify existing barriers, and prioritize fixing critical issues that affect usability for disabled users.
3. Educate and Train Teams: Ensure all relevant teams are trained on WCAG principles, ensuring accessibility is baked into design, development, and content creation
4. Integrate Testing Tools: Use automated and manual testing to regularly validate compliance with WCAG standards. BrowserStack’s Assisted Tests and Workflow Analyzer can help identify complex accessibility issues.
5. Monitor and Maintain Compliance: Accessibility isn’t a one-time task. Implement continuous monitoring through automated tests integrated into your CI/CD pipeline, ensuring ongoing compliance with WCAG.
   

Real-World Applications: VPAT and WCAG in Action

In real-world scenarios, organizations use VPATs to demonstrate compliance with accessibility standards, while WCAG guides the development process to ensure products are inclusive

Scenario 1: Government Procurement‍

A software company is bidding on a contract that requires a VPAT demonstrating conformance to Section 508 and WCAG 2.1 AA. 

The company completes a VPAT 2.5 508 edition and submits it with their bid.

Scenario 2: Public Website Development

A non-profit is redesigning its website to meet ADA compliance. The design and development teams follow WCAG 2.2 guidelines throughout the process to ensure accessibility. 

While a VPAT is not required, internal adherence to WCAG is documented in an informal accessibility statement.

Scenario 3: Enterprise Software Update

An enterprise updates its HR software to ensure accessibility for all employees, including those with disabilities. The development team integrates WCAG 2.1 AA checks into their CI/CD pipeline and conducts an accessibility audit before releasing the update.

Conclusion

WCAG and VPAT are essential components in the digital accessibility landscape. WCAG provides detailed guidelines and criteria for building accessible digital content, while VPAT is a formal tool for reporting and documenting a product’s adherence to these standards. 

By working together, they ensure that organizations meet legal and regulatory requirements and enhance user experience for individuals with disabilities. Adopting both frameworks fosters transparency, accountability, and long-term accessibility compliance.