VPAT vs ACR: what your buyer is really asking for
The blank form and the finished report, and why the difference matters.
The VPAT is the blank template. The ACR is the finished report. People use the words interchangeably, and procurement forms often say VPAT when they mean ACR.
| VPAT | ACR | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A blank form from ITI | That form, completed for one product version |
| Who makes it | ITI | The vendor, sometimes with a consultant |
| What a buyer wants | Nothing, on its own | This |
So if a buyer asks for your VPAT, do not send the blank template, and do not ask which they mean. Send the report, and name it an Accessibility Conformance Report based on VPAT® 2.5Rev.
About the name
VPAT is a registered service mark of ITI. Use it with the ® symbol, and follow ITI's Essential Requirements if you reference it. The report title should read "[Your Company] Accessibility Conformance Report".