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What is a VPAT?
A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is a document that explains how a website, service, or product meets the Rehabilitation Act's Revised 508 Standards. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires the federal government and its agencies to develop, procure, and maintain accessible information and communication technology (ICT), regardless of whether the place of accommodation belongs to the federal government or its agencies.

What is a VPAT?
A VPAT is a self-disclosing document used to evaluate accessibility in line with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. It defines an entity's accessibility levels and establishes the technical requirements for web content accessibility standards such as Section 508, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, and WCAG 2.1. A typical VPAT can have between 50 and thousands of pages.
 
The VPAT is available in four different editions. These offer insights into the businesses that require a VPAT. The editions are as follows:

Digital accessibility in healthcare refers to the inclusive practice of removing barriers that prevent people with disabilities from interacting with websites and apps. In practice, this means that Website Accessibility Checker, apps, and electronic documents must be designed or developed in a way that allows people with disabilities to access the content, websites, or apps using accessible technology.

Section 508 is a well-known phrase in the field of making information and communication technology products and services accessible to people with disabilities. It is a section of the United States Rehabilitation Act as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. It requires federal agencies to develop, procure, maintain, and use accessible ICT for people with disabilities, whether or not they work for the federal government.

Website Accessibility
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires certain businesses to make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities, such as making web content accessible to people with disabilities. Businesses that fall under Title I of the ADA and operate 20 or more weeks per year with at least 15 full-time employees, or Title III and fall under the category of public accommodations, should be aware that failing to create an ADA-compliant website could expose them to lawsuits, financial liabilities, and reputational damage.

ADA Compliance Banking
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all aspects of public life, including employment, education, transportation, and telecommunications, and ensures their access to all public accommodations, including banks.
 

 

Website Accessibility
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires certain businesses to make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities, such as making web content accessible to people with disabilities. Businesses that fall under Title I of the ADA and operate 20 or more weeks per year with at least 15 full-time employees, or Title III and fall under the category of public accommodations, should be aware that failing to create an ADA-compliant website could expose them to lawsuits, financial liabilities, and reputational damage.

The ability of a website, mobile application, or electronic document to be easily navigated and understood by a wide range of users, including those with visual, auditory, motor, language, or cognitive disabilities, is referred to as digital accessibility. It provides full access to digital content to everyone, including people with disabilities. 

VPAT and WCAG Compliance
Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) have become household terms in the 508 compliance matrixes. In attempting to answer the question, “What is a VPAT?” some people erroneously mistake a VPAT to be same as WCAG compliance.

Section 508
 
The term "Section 508" refers to section 508 checklist of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and its subsequent updates in 1998 and 2017, with the goal of improving accessibility for people with disabilities in the United States. It prohibits disability discrimination in federal government and agency programs, as well as in organizations receiving federal funding or employment opportunities.