Independent VPAT Audit and Testing Services for ICT Vendors
If you sell technology to government agencies, universities, or enterprise buyers, your VPAT is a legal representation of your product’s accessibility. Microassist produces accurate, defensible Accessibility Conformance Reports — backed by a government-contracted accessibility team with over 30 years of experience.
Federal law, specifically Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, requires federal agencies to procure ICT that meets defined accessibility standards. Many state and local governments have enacted similar or aligned requirements. The most common way vendors document accessibility is through an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR), completed using the VPAT template published by the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI). When you submit a VPAT as part of a government or enterprise procurement, you are making a formal representation about your product’s accessibility. That claim needs to be accurate.
Need a VPAT for an upcoming contract or RFP? Tell us about your product and the standards your buyer requires. Email our Accessibility Team, and let’s work together to strengthen your digital accessibility compliance
VPAT Clients
- Accio Data
- Automated Health Systems
- Blancco
- Boston Beer Company
- Catapult Health
- Classchat.us
- Eightfold
- Encoura
- Hexagon
- KnowBe4
- LINQ
- Washington Trust Bank
What Microassist Delivers: Your VPAT Audit, Start to Finish
Microassist evaluates your ICT product against the accessibility standards your buyers require, then documents the findings in a complete Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR). We test against WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 requirements (which incorporate WCAG 2.0 AA), as well as WCAG 2.2 and EN 301 549 for European market needs. The result is a completed ACR, delivered in the VPAT format, that accurately reflects your product’s real conformance levels, including criteria that support, partially support, or do not support accessibility requirements, with the supporting detail procurement teams expect. We also document known limitations, exceptions, and available workarounds or mitigations, which are standard in a thorough VPAT and signal to buyers that the evaluation was conducted with care.
Lower Risk with Accurate VPATs
An inaccurate VPAT is not just a paperwork problem. It can function as a contractual representation. When a government or enterprise buyer relies on your VPAT to make a procurement decision, that document may become part of the contractual record or be treated as a formal representation of accessibility. If your product does not perform as described, you may face contract disputes, remediation requirements, and reputational damage with buyers who have accessibility obligations defined by law or internal policy.
To lower that risk, you can engage Microassist to help you evaluate and accurately document your ICT product and services. As a government-contracted IT services provider with a team well-versed in accessibility implementation across a range of technical environments, we can help you generate a more accurate assessment of your offering. We can also help you produce the documentation agencies require as part of the procurement process and meet contract requirements.
VPAT Audit FAQs
A VPAT audit is an evaluation of a technology product’s accessibility against standards such as WCAG 2.x, Section 508 requirements, and EN 301 549. The results are documented in an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR), which buyers review during procurement.
A VPAT audit includes manual testing, assistive technology testing, and a criterion-by-criterion assessment. The final ACR shows whether each requirement supports, partially supports, or does not support accessibility.
Yes, vendors can complete their own VPAT because it is a self-reported document. However, many government and enterprise buyers expect a higher level of accuracy and detail than most self-reported VPATs provide.
A third-party VPAT evaluation adds credibility, reduces the risk of overstating conformance, and helps avoid accessibility issues during procurement or after contract award.
Most VPAT audits take 2 to 4 weeks for web applications and SaaS products. The timeline depends on product complexity, number of screens, and required testing.
More complex systems, including mobile apps, desktop software, or multi-component platforms, may take longer. Accelerated timelines are often possible for procurement deadlines.
The VPAT version depends on your target buyer. US federal agencies typically use the Revised Section 508 Edition, while European buyers align with EN 301 549. Many enterprise and education buyers request WCAG 2.1 AA using the WCAG Edition.
Selecting the correct VPAT template ensures your ACR matches the accessibility requirements expected in procurement.
Most products do not fully support every accessibility requirement. A VPAT is not a pass-or-fail certification; it is a detailed conformance report.
Each criterion is rated as Supports, Partially Supports, Does Not Support, or Not Applicable. Buyers expect honest reporting, and accurate documentation of gaps is more credible than overstating compliance.
The cost of a VPAT audit depends on product complexity, testing scope, and the number of standards evaluated. Simple web applications cost less than complex platforms with multiple components.
Yes, VPATs should be updated when a product changes in ways that affect accessibility. An outdated VPAT can create risk during procurement or contract performance.