VPATs® for SaaS Companies: Easier Than You Think
Getting a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) filled in and completed for your SaaS product or service is straightforward. Here’s the process:
- Determine scope (pages, screens, content, etc.)
- Conduct an accessibility audit
- Fix issues (optional)
- Fill in the VPAT accessibility table based on current status
- Fill in the details section of the VPAT
- Issue the completed Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR)
Most SaaS companies receive completed ACRs within two to five weeks.
Note 1: that an ACR is just a filled in and completed VPAT.
Note 2: You can fill in your own VPAT, but you’ll need a technical accessibility expert so most companies source out work to accessibility companies.
Let’s cover some of the frequent questions we get from clients.
What is a VPAT?
A VPAT is a template for reporting on accessibility of ICT products and services. Once filled in and completed, it becomes an ACR.
What is an ACR?
An Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) is really just a report card for the accessibility of your product or service.
Why Are Buyers Requesting This Documentation?
Organizations purchasing SaaS offerings face their own legal and internal obligations. An ACR gives them a standardized way to evaluate and compare the accessibility of products and services and determine whether they meet their necessary accessibility requirements.
We’re getting a lot of requests for VPAT services because of new digital accessibility laws and regulations. As a result of recent legal updates, a network effect has taken effect and many organizations have strict ACR requirements for products and services to be eligible for purchase.
Schools, universities, colleges, hospitals, health care, government, corporate entities, and others are now commonly requiring a VPAT/ACR from vendors.
Which VPAT Edition Should You Use?
The WCAG edition works great for most SaaS companies.
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However, there are other VPAT editions. Here are each of the editions:
- WCAG Edition covers Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and works for virtually all web-based SaaS applications
- 508 Edition is specifically required when selling to U.S. federal agencies
- EU Edition aligns with EN 301 549 standards for European markets
- INT Edition combines all standards into one document for products and services marketed globally
Your buyer’s requirements should drive edition selection. When in doubt, ask your buyer which edition they need.
What is WCAG?
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are technical standards for web accessibility. They set out the requirements necessary for conformance.
What Happens During the Audit?
A technical accessibility expert evaluates your digital asset against a technical standard, usually WCAG 2.1 AA or WCAG 2.2 AA.
Each identified issue gets documented in detailin the audit report.
Can You Fix Issues Before Documentation Is Final?
Yes. After receiving your audit report, your development team can address identified issues. Technical experts validate the fixes. Once satisfied with your conformance level, the final ACR reflects your remediated state.
This pause-and-fix approach means you control when documentation is issued. A cleaner ACR positions your SaaS product more favorably during procurement evaluations.
The Accessibility Tracker platform provides a streamlined way to manage this remediation workflow. Developers track issue status and notify validators when fixes are ready for review.
What Makes Documentation Credible?
Procurement agents scrutinize ACRs for reliability indicators. They look for independent audits from reputable accessibility companies, diverse evaluation methodologies, comprehensive scope, and detailed remarks explaining conformance levels.
Self-issued ACRs raise skepticism because product teams have inherent bias. Third-party verification carries more weight with knowledgeable buyers evaluating your product against competitors.
FAQ
Does every SaaS company need a VPAT?
No, only if it’s required by a buyer. If your buyers include federal agencies, educational institutions, or enterprises with accessibility policies, an ACR becomes virtually essential for purchase consideration.
What if our product has accessibility issues?
Having issues documented does not automatically disqualify your product. Buyers understand different products have varying conformance levels. Accurate documentation with detailed remarks matters more than perfection.
Can we fill out the VPAT ourselves?
Anyone can technically fill out a VPAT. However, accurately completing the accessibility table requires conducting a thorough audit. Without accessibility expertise, self-completed documentation often contains inaccuracies that procurement agents will question.
Get Started
If you’re ready to discuss a VPAT/ACR for your SaaS product or service, we’re happy to help. Just message us at Accessible.org and we’ll be right with you.
