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VPAT ASAP:

  • Are you in a hurry and just want a .pdf of our VPAT?  Then you can download it by clicking this link.

  • Want to see something different?  Click this link to launch our VPAT “course”. 

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What is a VPAT?

A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template or “VPAT” is a document that technology providers are required to complete that defines how their product(s) meet Section 508 compliance.

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The Big Mistake 

Are you making the biggest, most common mistake when it comes to understanding a VPAT?  If you believe that because a company HAS a VPAT – their product will ensure Section 508 compliance you would be wrong.  The *real* question is: What does their VPAT actually say!

 

Here some examples of text you might see in a VPAT:

  • “We achieve Section 508 compliance by letting you create a text-only version of the course in another technology..."
     

  • “…some form fields, such as on the Short Answer quiz, do not have labels and the radio buttons on the True and False quiz are not properly grouped.”
     

  • “The person authoring the course can provide the necessary elements to make the course accessible…”

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Building alternative versions of a course, relying on reams of “tips and tricks”, “accessibility how-to guides”, etc. – it does not have to be that way.

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The CourseAvenue Studio Difference

Other authoring products generally require the author to be “all knowing” when it comes to accessibility, Section 508, WCAG 2.x, etc. Their products “let the author” do this or that.  Of course that requires the author to actually know what to do!  Some vendors offer courses, extensive how-to’s, “tips and tricks”, etc.  all required to produce an accessible course. 

 

CourseAvenue users do NOT need to be “all knowing” accessibility experts.  Why?  Because, CourseAvenue spent the time to embed accessibility into the core product. Consider this simple example: 

 

Want to enable learners to “try again” if they miss a question?  Fine, just check the “allow re-try” box.  When the box is checked, without the authoring even knowing about it - our technology then applies all of the accessibility elements necessary to inform the learner, who might be using assistive technology that they in fact can try again.  Un-check the box and unbeknownst to the author, the assistive elements change back to

 

Learn more about CourseAvenue’s built in accessibility throughout this site or contact us to learn more

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