If your company sells software or any kind of digital tool to government agencies, sooner or later someone on the procurement side will ask for a VPAT or ACR. These documents are meant to show how closely your product follows WCAG and Section 508 rules for accessibility.
Without a VPAT, many federal or state teams won’t even move to the next step of the review.
Most organizations run into the same question:
Where do you actually get a VPAT or ACR? How do you know the report isn’t just a template filled with guesswork?
In this post, you will find a practical explanation of how teams usually secure a VPAT/ACR and how the testing is done by a real VPAT consultant.
How to Get a VPAT / ACR
A VPAT isn’t something you download, fill in, and send off. Getting an accurate one involves testing and someone who understands accessibility standards well enough to stand behind the report.
The typical process of getting a VPAT includes testing, reviewing the findings, VPAT/ACR writing and publishing.
1. Begin with a Thorough WCAG + Section 508 Audit
Your VPAT is only as good as the testing behind it. A proper audit usually includes running automated tools along with hands-on work.
Audit experts manually check how your product works with screen readers. They check if someone can navigate the whole website by using only a keyboard. They check if color and contrast levels are not harming the readability of the content. They also check PDF accessibility and interface behavior on mobile screens.
If a VPAT provider skips any of these steps or relies only on automated scans, the report won’t hold up when a procurement team starts digging. Real testing makes your VPAT trustworthy.
2. Work with an Experienced VPAT Consultant or Provider in the USA
Plenty of companies say they can create VPATs. Only a small portion of them actually perform the testing that makes a VPAT trustworthy.
Choose VPAT consultants who carry out manual WCAG and 508 testing. After delivering a complete VPAT audit report, there should be guidance on fixing accessibility issues.
A good VPAT service provider should be able to explain why something passed or didn’t pass. Your VPAT is your marketing brochure. Its value totally depends on whether the provider did real verification.
3. Review the Findings and Receive Your VPAT / ACR
A proper VPAT or ACR usually contains:
- A short summary of the results
- Each WCAG success criterion and its rating
- Notes such as “Supports,” “Partially Supports,” or “Does Not Support”
- Screenshots or examples
- Severity levels for issues
- Recommendations for improvement
- Testing process details
Something is off if the consultant can’t explain what was tested or how they reached their conclusions.
4. Work on Accessibility Issues
A good VPAT doesn’t simply list problems. It gives you the steps to fix them.
Many teams prefer providers who offer both the audit and the remediation support. This way it will be easier to update the VPAT after improvements are made.
5. Share the VPAT With Buyers
Procurement teams will usually ask for your VPAT during the RFP or RFI stages. Before they onboard a vendor, they review the accessibility levels. So make sure your product is ready for and has the proofs to go through security or compliance checks.
A clean, well-documented VPAT often moves things forward faster because buyers don’t have to chase you for clarification.
Where to Get a VPAT / ACR
The safest option is to work with the best VPAT providers in the USA. The automated systems or “24-hour VPAT” ACR services are not the ideal choice when working with federal agencies.
One of the stronger choices is ADACP, which is known for creating VPAT/ACR reports based on real, hands-on WCAG audits.
Teams choose ADACP because:
- Their audits involve manual and assistive-tech testing
- Their VPATs are easy for procurement reviewers to understand
- They provide remediation and re-testing support
- Their VPAT reports meet government standards
- They help clients through the entire compliance and contracting process
Avoid slowdowns in procurement by working with a provider that takes accessibility seriously. Trust me it would make a noticeable difference.
Why avoid instant or automated-only VPAT Providers
Some providers advertise “VPAT in 24 hours”, “Automatically generated VPAT” or “Guaranteed 100% compliance”.
These services normally skip real testing and rely on automated scanners. They spot only a fraction of what WCAG requires. Procurement officers can tell the difference in seconds.
Low-quality VPATs often lead to follow-up questions or requests for deeper audits. If you don’t want delayed approvals and suspicion about accuracy then steer clear of automated-only VPAT providers.
In some cases, you may even face a complete rejection. Going only with a VPAT based on human-led testing will stand up to review.
What is included in VPAT Testing?
VPAT testing usually combines automated tests and manual tests.
Software tools can catch quick issues like missing alt text or incorrect heading order. Whereas manual tests reveal real-world accessibility barriers.
Automated tools can’t fully replicate these tests, which is why they cannot produce an accurate VPAT on their own.
ADACP has built a reputation for VPAT testing and WCAG audits. Their reports actually hold up in procurement reviews because their testing process is transparent, thorough, and centered on real accessibility practices.
Along with VPAT/ACR creation, they also assist with WCAG audits, Section 508 compliance evaluations and detailed remediation plans.
Conclusion
Get an accurate VPAT or ACR by finding a consultant who performs real testing and stands behind the report during procurement. When you work with a reliable provider, your VPAT becomes a tool that helps you win government and enterprise contracts.
If you want to reduce compliance risks and avoid delays, choose a reputable VPAT consultant like ADACP. Schedule a consultation today to ensure your accessibility reporting is clear and complete.
