Introduction: The Golden Ticket to Large Contracts If your company sells software to other businesses (B2B), government agencies, or universities, you’ve probably been asked for a VPAT. If you didn’t know what it was, you might have felt a bit panicked. Don’t worry—a VPAT is actually a massive opportunity to prove your product is better than the competition.
What is a VPAT, Exactly?
VPAT stands for Voluntary Product Accessibility Template. Despite the name, it’s not really “voluntary” if you want to win big contracts.
- It is a standardized form where you (or an expert like Aditya Catalyst) document exactly how your software meets accessibility standards.
- Once the form is filled out, it becomes an ACR (Accessibility Conformance Report).
Why Do People Ask for It?
Large organizations—especially in the public sector—are legally required to buy accessible software. Before they sign a contract, their “Procurement Officers” need proof that your software won’t get them in trouble. They use your ACR to compare you against your competitors. If two products are similar, but yours has a clear, honest ACR and the other doesn’t, you win the deal.
How to Do It Right
The biggest mistake companies make is trying to hide their flaws in a VPAT.
- Be Honest: No software is 100% perfect. If your “Settings” menu isn’t fully accessible yet, say so.
- Show a Roadmap: If you list a flaw, include a note saying, “We plan to fix this in our Q3 update.” This builds immense trust with the buyer.
- Get an Expert Third Party: Having an outside agency like Aditya Catalyst write your ACR carries much more weight than “grading your own homework.” It shows the buyer that your claims are verified and accurate.