Why is VPAT Testing Fundamental to Accessibility?

Digital life and accessibility

In many respects, digital technology has sharpened our way of life and knowledge. Anyone with a digital tool, such as a camera, editing software, or programming skills, can become an expert and develop an enormous reputation. Older ways of communication may be surprised that digital technology capabilities provide fresh ideas, inventive techniques, and direct versus staged or scripted presentations.

However, in the "bring everyone along" world of digital pandemonium, a billion people, or 15% of the world's population, who have disabilities may be excluded from the digital transformation journey. This could result in lost potential for innovation and entrepreneurship among this category of the population.

Combating the exclusion of people with disabilities in digital life

In response to this fact, the United States Congress revised Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act in 1998 to require federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology (EIT) accessible to people with disabilities. Federal agencies are critical to ensuring that the EIT products and services they procure fulfill the highest accessible standards.

To ensure that EIT product features are aligned with existing accessibility requirements, the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) collaborated with the General Services Administration (GSA), the United States government's central procurement office, to create a voluntary product accessibility template (VPAT). VPAT assessments serve to ensure that procured EIT products and services satisfy the highest VPAT accessibility characteristics available.

The nexus between VPAT testingand accessibility

A vendor must obtain VPAT certification for the featured product or service in order to participate in federal calls for proposals to offer EIT products and services. Indeed, meeting and coping with consumer expectations, shifting trends, technology use, and the continually expanding user base for EIT products and services is a big problem in the rising digital ecosystem.

Many EIT products and services fall short of their full potential owing to inadequate consideration of all end-user requirements, particularly during the design and development phases. It takes extraordinary effort to create and develop new technology that is accessible to all users, which is why the hallmark of accessibility is doing a complete VPAT assessment to establish how the product or service satisfies the set accessibility standards.

VPAT testing of an EIT product or service ensures the product or service's accessibility to the entire public, including people with and without disabilities. It ensures that the product or service is used without the use of traditional interactions like as a mouse, keyboard, and so on.

Why testing is essential in accessibility

Testing an EIT product or service assists in the identification of any accessibility flaws, which can then be corrected before the product or service is introduced to the market. The VPAT form allows vendors to explain how they intend to deal with inaccessible features of their products or services as determined by VPAT assessments. This contributes to product enhancement and better accessibility, which is one of the ultimate purposes of VPAT assessments.

VPAT testing also gives suppliers the ability to provide VPAT reports outlining the accessible and inaccessible components of their EIT products or services. Buyers can then compare the accessibility of similar items and select the one that best matches their expectations and needs.

VPAT testing is especially important for accessibility because it assesses EIT products or services from the viewpoint of the almost 15% of the world's population who have disabilities, which ultimately ensures an increased market share for the products or services.

If your product or service is web-based, VPAT testing with a proper VPAT testing tool can help you improve your product's overall SEO performance by improving usability and user engagement.

VPAT testing with a reputable third-party or VPAT testing tool can help improve the public perception of your product or service. It is a way of expressing a strong commitment to accessibility and ensuring that your products or services are inclusive to all users. This eventually leads to increased client trust and loyalty, which improves your brand's image.

Working with an expert in Vpat Accessibility to generate your VPAT reports will assist you in achieving the VPAT accessibility required to help your business avoid legal issues.

Get help to spruce the VPAT testing for your EIT products or services

It is argued that technology improves the lives of those who are not dominated by it and are not coerced into severe addictions to it. Making technology inaccessible to people with disabilities is, thus, equivalent to scheming to have technology dominate them so that it does not improve their lives.

The choice to make a difference for all people using technology is in your hands. It involves working with a VPAT accessibility expert to help you work toward VPAT certification for your EIT products and services. ADA Compliance Pros can assist you. Call them at (626) 486-220 today!