Section 508 vs WCAG, Explained.

No. Section 508 is a US federal law that requires accessible technology; WCAG is the technical standard that defines what accessible web content means. Since the 2017 Section 508 Refresh, Section 508 incorporates WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA by reference for web content, so the two are closely linked but not identical. Section 508 also covers hardware, software, and documentation that WCAG does not.

The 2017 Section 508 Refresh references WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA. Many agencies and institutions now expect WCAG 2.1 Level AA in practice, which is also the standard adopted by the ADA Title II rule for state and local government. VPAT Score evaluates conformance against WCAG 2.1 and 2.2.

Request the vendor VPAT or ACR and review its WCAG conformance table along with the Section 508 chapters (functional performance, software, support documentation) in the 508 edition. VPAT Score parses and grades the WCAG data so you can objectively compare products instead of reading every table by hand.

VPAT Score accepts PDF and Word (.docx) files. Both are parsed automatically - no conversion needed before uploading.

Each WCAG criterion carries an impact multiplier based on real-world user impact. Criteria marked "Does Not Support" or "Not Applicable" are weighted accordingly. The final score produces a letter grade (A through F) and a separate weighted risk rating (Low, Moderate, High, or Critical).

Files are processed in memory and are not permanently stored on our servers. Only your analysis results and review history are saved to your account.

Every account starts with 5 free reviews per month. No credit card is required to register. Paid plans unlock additional monthly reviews, team collaboration, and shared review history.

Yes. VPAT Score is designed with federal and state procurement workflows in mind. It evaluates conformance against Section 508 (opens in new tab) criteria and generates consistent, repeatable assessments that support defensible procurement decisions.

Yes. Your review history organizes results by vendor so you can compare multiple VPATs side by side. Team plans let multiple evaluators share a single review history and collaborate on procurement decisions.