Summary

This blog discusses how VPATs assist educators in choosing accessibility solutions by explaining VPAT data and offering tips for effective review.

Today, a growing number of educators are interested in curating an inclusive learning experience for learners with disabilities. By doing so, they can attract a diverse group of learners and adhere to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 compliance.

Choosing the right accessibility solutions in a marketplace flooded with options will play an important role in this transition. This is where the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) can be a useful tool in helping educators make data-driven decisions.

In this blog, we decode VPAT accessibility solutions, their significance, and how educators can harness this tool.

Table of Contents:

What is VPAT Accessibility?

VPAT accessibility refers to the practice by software developers and vendors of preparing a document that describes how well a product or service complies with various accessibility standards. This document aims to help buyers make strategic, informed, data-driven decisions when shopping for accessibility solutions in a crowded marketplace.

The document clearly states the various accessibility features available and highlights the areas where they are deficient. The mark of a superior service provider is that the accessibility document must be authentic and credible. Hence, this document will play an important role in helping buyers make the right decision.

In education, VPAT certification plays an important role in helping educators choose solutions that are relevant to learners with disabilities and learning challenges.

Also Read: Budgeting for AI – Cost Considerations for Educational Technology Leaders

Significance of VPAT Accessibility in Education

As per the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), a technical framework established by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), all digital content must be accessible to people with disabilities. Businesses and public sector organizations, including schools, colleges, universities, and online learning providers, are required to be WCAG compliant.

In the USA, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires that all federal agencies make their websites, software applications, and electronic media platforms accessible to people with disabilities. This includes those educational institutions that receive federal funding. Recommended accessibility features include alt text for images, text transcripts for videos and animations, closed captions for video, making PDFs and presentations accessible, following established graphic guidelines and conducting regular accessibility audits.

Due to recent technological developments, more schools, colleges, universities, and online learning platforms are looking to meet 508 compliance requirements. Reports suggest that 71% of website visitors and students with physical and cognitive disabilities choose websites that are more accessible than the ones that aren’t. As such, a growing number of these institutions rely on VPAT accessibility solutions to ensure that their digital materials and ecosystems are accessible and compliant.

Thus, VPAT has emerged as a key tool for transitioning to and upgrading accessible resources in any learning environment.

Decoding VPAT Data

Typically, vendors and product makers list the following details in the VPAT accessibility document as a way to educate buyers:

1. Product Name and Version

The document clearly states the product’s name and version. This information helps the buyer ensure that the VPAT version corresponds to the correct product version.

2. Date of the Report

This data refers to the date the VPAT was published. The report must not be older than one year, in which case the data may be outdated.

3. Evaluation Methods Used

The VPAT must offer detailed descriptions of all the various accessibility parameters that have been tested. It must also offer details on the various tools and technologies used to test the product.

4. Applicable Standards/ Guidelines

Accessibility guidelines and standards continue to be updated on a regular basis. There are also various international, national, and local guidelines to be followed. For example, WCAG and Section 508 are the accepted standards that must be followed in the USA. VPAT must also state the version of these guidelines that have been adhered to.

5. Contact Information

Buyers must be able to ask detailed follow-up questions about the product. Hence, VPAT must clearly state the contact details of a dedicated third-party expert or in-house expert of the company. They should be easily accessible and contactable and be in a position to answer questions related to the accessibility aspects of the product.

6. Success Criteria Table

This table plays an important role in helping consumers understand the accessibility features of the product to ensure that they are relevant to their needs. The table has three columns as follows:

  • WCAG Success Criteria: This column states all the accessibility features as perceived by WCAG.
  • Conformance Level: The VPAT clearly maps the product’s capability for various criteria to a scale. For instance, the documents may rate conformance as follows: ‘supports’, ‘partially supports’, ‘does not support’, or ‘not applicable’.
  • Remarks: The vendor can add further instructions and explanations for each criterion and corresponding conformance level.

How Educators Can Harness VPAT Accessibility?

When educators are evaluating solutions for their accessibility needs, they must be in a position to interpret the VPAT compliance data effectively. Here are some tips to help educators harness the document effectively:

1. Review the Document in Detail

Educational organizations must spend adequate time reviewing the document and understanding the data offered. If they have a limited understanding, it is advisable to speak to an accessibility expert to ensure that all their accessibility functionality needs are met.

2. Identify Key Functional Areas

Educators should identify the key functional areas relevant to their teaching environments. Not every VPAT section may apply equally. By focusing on critical areas—like screen reader compatibility, color contrast, and keyboard navigation—they can quickly assess whether a solution aligns with their accessibility priorities.

3. Engage with Stakeholders and Accessibility Champions

Collaborate with other educators, administrators, and accessibility champions within the institution to review VPATs collectively. Multiple perspectives lead to varied accessibility needs being highlighted and ensure that the technology supports the diverse requirements of all users, including students and faculty with disabilities.

4. Monitor and Reassess Accessibility Compliance Regularly

Once a solution is adopted, accessibility evaluation shouldn’t end.

Periodic reassessment of the product’s accessibility compliance ensures it remains inclusive as it evolves. Regularly reviewing VPAT updates can reveal any changes in accessibility features, giving educators an ongoing view of the product’s accessibility lifecycle.

Also Read: Top Tips for Effective Multilingual Proofreading in Educational Content Creation

Wrapping Up

Today, educators need to invest in accessibility solutions that help them make ecosystems inclusive to a wide spectrum of learners. However, these solutions must be relevant to their unique and specific needs.

This is where VPAT accessibility documentation helps students and users understand accessibility features and VPAT compliance in detail. However, educational institutions and educators must spend adequate time reviewing these documents to develop a thorough and realistic understanding of whether the solution meets their needs.

If your educational institute aims to build an accessible learning environment, the first step is to partner with a technology expert who understands your needs. Hurix Digital is geared to support learning institutions with the full spectrum of accessibility needs.

Get in touch with us to start a conversation.