The ITI (Information Technology Industry) Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (ITI VPAT®) is a free template that presents testing criteria developed from accessibility requirements and standards to help buyers of technology confirm that the technology is accessible and has accessibility features. Products and services are tested against each section of the VPAT®, and the template is used to document results.
Technology products (software and hardware) that are purchased through the university should have a VPAT acquired before purchase. The VPAT must then be reviewed before purchasing the technology product.
Step one: Acquiring a VPAT
A VPAT must be acquired for any new IT purchases of software or hardware.
Manufacturers or vendors may have already completed VPATs and/or created Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACRs) for their products. First, check the university's list of accessibility reviews. If the product is not listed, check the manufacturer/vendor’s website or contact the manufacturer/vendor to request the VPAT for the product.
If the manufacturer or vendor does not have a VPAT for the product you wish to purchase, you will need to contact the manufacturer, vendor, or reseller and request that one be completed for their product.
The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) is usually the best source to conduct the testing necessary to complete the VPAT, but a reseller may also complete the VPAT.
To create their product’s VPAT per your request, the manufacturer, vendor, or reseller will need to:
- Go to the ITI VPAT page at:
https://www.itic.org/policy/accessibility/vpat
- Under Resources, select:
VPAT 2.5 WCAG (November 2023) for web-based and mobile applications
or
VPAT 2.5 508 (November 2023) for desktop applications,
and download the MS Word document.
Open the MS Word document, read the instructions, and complete the template for the product.
Instructions for completing the VPAT can be found at VPAT Training.
Once completed, the VPAT with documented testing results is referred to as an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) that details the accessible features of the tested product or service. If the vendor cannot provide a VPAT, or if the VPAT is delayed, submit a review request and explain the situation in the "Questions, Comments, or Details" field.
Step two: VPAT Review
Request a VPAT review
Complete the VPAT Review request form, attach the VPAT from the vendor, and submit the form.
Resources and Information
See the Accommodations and Accessibility Services page on Procuring Accessible IT for more information.
VPAT Training