For many business owners and web developers, assessing and ensuring digital accessibility can be a daunting task. Web accessibility has no shortage of moving parts, and it’s easy to feel like the goalposts are always moving. Between major accessibility guidelines, informally regarded best practices and individual consumer preferences, there are seemingly limitless variables to consider when crafting accessible and inclusive virtual spaces.
To consolidate some of these far-reaching considerations, the Information Technology Industry Council has created an accessibility tool known as the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) to help web developers and other professionals assess the accessibility of their digital content. Let’s take a closer look at this valuable accessibility tool and discuss the importance of assessing and enhancing the accessibility of virtual spaces.
What is VPAT?
The Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is a crucial tool that helps organizations document how their digital products conform to global accessibility standards. The tool is designed to translate web accessibility criteria into actionable criteria to help web developers and business leaders evaluate their level of compliance with these critical guidelines.
VPAT’s results are presented as an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) that details the accessibility features of the assessed digital product or service. The VPAT is widely accessible and free to use, which contributes to its widespread adoption and recognition. Many consumers review and consider the ACRs of prospective business partners to determine whether they would like to invest in a particular product and service. For this reason, many businesses choose to share their Accessibility Conformance Reports with the public as part of their value proposition.
The importance of VPAT in web accessibility
A VPAT is particularly beneficial for organizations developing websites, software and digital tools because it provides an easy-to-follow overview of the content’s compliance with established standards like Section 508, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and EN 301 549.
When an ACR reveals high levels of compliance, businesses can leverage their positive results as both a marketing and documentation tool. However, if an ACR reveals significant gaps in digital accessibility compliance, business owners and web developers can use the report as a benchmark for improving the accessibility of their digital materials, products or services.
Why is web accessibility important?
With more than 1 billion people worldwide living with disabilities, accessibility in digital spaces is no longer optional — it is vital. Web accessibility compliance ensures that websites, applications and digital content are accessible to individuals with a wide range of disabilities and ensures all digital visitors can engage equitably with the spaces they are accessing. Here is a brief overview of some of the most critical web accessibility guidelines business owners and web developers must follow when crafting digital spaces, products and experiences:
Section 508
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a US federal law requiring that all government-related digital content — including websites and software — be accessible to individuals with disabilities. Prior to the advent of the internet and advances in technology, accessibility legislation pertained primarily to physical spaces like businesses, schools and government buildings. However, Section 508 was enacted to provide a legal framework for ensuring that virtual spaces were subject to the same high accessibility benchmarks as physical ones.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
WCAG is an internationally recognized set of guidelines developed by the World Wide Web Consortium that outlines best practices for making web content accessible. The key tenets of WCAG state that virtual content should be perceivable, operable, understandable and robust for all users. Achieving WCAG compliance often requires web developers and business leaders utilize assistive technology solutions and proactively implement certain accommodations to deliver equitable experiences to consumers of all backgrounds and abilities.
EN 301 549
EN 301 549 is the European standard for the accessibility of information and communication technologies (ICT). The standards of EN 301 549 generally align with both WCAG and Section 508 and provide an effective, universal framework for digital accessibility. It is essential for companies operating in the EU to ensure compliance with this framework, even if that business is primarily located in the United States, as this added compliance ensures equitable access for all consumers, regardless of their physical location or nationality.
Why comply?
As we’ve discussed, modern businesses face a moral imperative to prioritize accessibility in their physical and virtual spaces. However, there are also practical consequences associated with non-compliance that often drive accessibility initiatives. Non-compliance with accessibility requirements like the ADA and Section 508 can lead to lawsuits, penalties/fines and costly reputational damage.
Legal challenges associated with non-compliance can have a resoundingly negative impact upon a business’s operations and reputation. Not only are these legal challenges costly and time-consuming, but they can also lead to poor negative press coverage, substandard customer reviews and reduced brand confidence across the board.
By leveraging VPAT accessibility documentation, companies can stay one step ahead of enforcement efforts and mitigate the risk of non-compliance. If an ACR reveals gaps in a product’s accessibility compliance, developers can use the ACR as a guide for remedying those shortcomings via internal channels. Conversely, if an ACR reveals effective compliance efforts, business leaders can use their reports as a selling point for their services and as a tool for building public confidence in their brand.
Steps to achieving VPAT compliance
Achieving VPAT/web accessibility compliance requires a structured approach to assessing and improving digital accessibility. Here is a brief overview of the steps involved in using the VPAT to assess and enhance accessibility:
Step 1: Conduct an accessibility audit
The VPAT translates accessibility requirements into testing criteria, which makes it easier for developers and business leaders to assess their compliance across multiple categories. Organizations can use digital accessibility testing tools and manual evaluation protocols to determine how well their current web accessibility aligns with the requirements outlined by the VPAT. Some businesses may also choose to survey their client base to get qualitative input on the efficacy of their web accessibility protocols.
Step 2: Evaluate gaps and implement enhancements
Once gaps are identified, organizations should aim to quickly enact changes to address them. Here are a few solid jumping-off points for enhancing web accessibility after an audit:
- Enhancing keyboard navigation for individuals who cannot use a mouse by providing easy-to-use shortcuts
- Improving screen reader compatibility by utilizing proper text and element formatting and implementing effective, easy-to-read alternative text for images and multimedia elements
- Ensuring sufficient color contrast for easy readability for those with vision and eye disorders
- Incorporating captioning and transcription into audio and video content to ensure maximum accessibility for individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing
- Crafting effective audio descriptions of visual media to enhance accessibility for those who are blind or have low vision, as well as for certain individuals with neurodivergent conditions
Step 3: Invest in ongoing compliance efforts
Accessibility is not a one-time fix; it requires continuous monitoring and updates. Not only are legal requirements constantly changing, but public sentiment and consumer considerations are regularly evolving. To stay one step ahead of these ongoing changes, it is important for business leaders to regularly re-visit their accessibility protocols and conduct regular assessments and evaluations. Staff training can also play a critical role in ongoing compliance, as all team members will be better equipped to spot and address any potential accessibility gaps.
Overcoming challenges in achieving VPAT compliance
Despite the critical nature of achieving and maintaining VPAT compliance, there are several challenges that can prevent businesses and organizations from adequately supporting accessibility requirements. Thankfully, today’s tech-driven world provides professionals across a wide range of industries with reliable tools for overcoming these challenges.
One of the most commonly cited challenges associated with enhancing web accessibility is the cost. Implementing assistive technologies, hiring experienced web developers and investing in certain assessment tools can all impact a business’s bottom line beyond what feels feasible for them. Overcoming these resource limitations can be of the utmost importance for business leaders looking to prioritize their digital accessibility.
Verbit recognizes that assistive technology solutions have historically been cost-prohibitive for many businesses, particularly businesses who are just starting out on their accessibility journeys. That’s why Verbit offers a wide variety of solutions and packages that can be customized to the specifications of each individual business. With all-inclusive, unlimited captioning subscriptions and an affordable ASR-powered technology platform, Verbit makes it easy for businesses across multiple industries to build an accessibility toolkit that works for them.
Verbit’s platform is also designed to help alleviate the administrative strain often associated with implementing accessibility solutions. By streamlining and optimizing accessibility workflows and protocols, Verbit empowers business leaders and web developers to spend less time navigating red tape and executing repetitive tasks and more time delivering top-tier support to the members of their community.
A valuable tool
The VPAT is a valuable tool for assessing, enhancing and maintaining accessibility and inclusivity in digital spaces. The VPAT makes it possible for business leaders and web developers to effectively evaluate their level of compliance with critical accessibility standards like Section 508, the WCAG and EN 301 549. This free, readily available tool is playing a vital role in keeping web accessibility top-of-mind for professionals across a wide range of industries while helping businesses safeguard against the potentially harmful effects of non-compliance enforcement efforts.
Thanks to the recent advancement of AI-powered solutions — like Verbit’s captioning and transcription technology — companies can more effectively streamline their compliance efforts while making their digital experiences more inclusive. With easy-to-use interfaces, customizable product packages and seamless software integrations, Verbit’s platform makes it easier for business leaders and web developers to proactively prioritize web accessibility, even in the face of rapidly evolving standards and expectations.
If you’re interested in learning more about today’s high bar for digital accessibility or if you’d more information about how Verbit’s technology solutions could play a role in your accessibility initiatives, reach out today to speak to a member of our team.
