ACR vs VPAT: The Simple Explanation

A VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) is the blank form. An ACR (Accessibility Conformance Report) is the completed form. In common usage, both terms refer to the same document: the vendor's self-declaration of how their product conforms to accessibility standards.

You will see vendors, agencies, and tools use both terms interchangeably. VPAT Score supports both — if a vendor gives you a document they call either a VPAT or an ACR, you can upload it for analysis.

What Does an ACR Contain?

A standard ACR includes:

  • Product name, version, and the date the ACR was completed
  • The name of the evaluator or testing organization
  • A conformance table for WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA criteria (and optionally Section 508 and EN 301 549)
  • For each criterion: a conformance level (Supports, Partially Supports, Does Not Support, Not Applicable) and remarks explaining the claim

Who Should Have an ACR?

Any software vendor selling to federal agencies, state governments, universities, healthcare organizations, or large enterprises should be able to provide a current ACR. The absence of an ACR — or an ACR that is more than two years old — is a red flag in any accessibility-conscious procurement process.

How Do You Evaluate an ACR?

Evaluating an ACR requires more than skimming for "Supports" responses. A rigorous evaluation looks at:

  • Which criteria are claimed as "Supports" vs "Partially Supports" or "Does Not Support"
  • Whether high-impact criteria like keyboard access (2.1.1) and focus visible (2.4.7) are fully supported
  • Remarks language — vague phrases like "with exceptions" or "workaround available" signal incomplete conformance
  • Whether the ACR covers the version of the product you are procuring
  • Whether the ACR was produced with independent testing or is purely self-assessed

What Is a Good ACR Score?

A good ACR claims full conformance ("Supports") across high-impact Level A and AA criteria. Most real-world ACRs have gaps in a handful of criteria — the question is whether those gaps affect your users' ability to independently use the product. VPAT Score translates ACR data into an objective letter grade and risk rating so you can make that call quickly.