U.S. Department of State

VPAT Checklist

Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT)
Review Checklist

RE: IMPACT Section 508 - Tips and Resources

A VPAT provides information on how a product or service claims to conform to the Section 508 Access Board Accessibility Standards for Electronic and Information Technology (E&IT). The criteria by which IMPACT reviews VPATs presented by vendors are exactly the same as those that are suggested by Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) in their VPAT Best Practices. **
Date: __________________

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VPAT Accepted: YES NO

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Product Name: _________________
Product Version Number: _________________
Vendor Company Name: ____________________
Vendor Contact Name: __________________
Vendor Contact Telephone: ___________________
VPAT Reviewer: _________________
Purchase or Change Control Board (CCB) Number (if available): _____________

QUESTIONS

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1. Is the VPAT Date Included? YES NO
2. Is the product identified by Name and Version Number? YES NO
3. Is Contact (POC) Information readily available?YES NO
4. Is there a Summary Table (or snapshot equivalent) that shows the subsections of subparts B, C and D of the Section 508 Standards and identifies those that apply? YES NO
5. Are there Detail Tables that contain the actual Section 508 language of the referenced subsection, divided up into its respective subparagraphs (a, b, c, d etc.) for each subpart that does apply? YES NO
6. Is the Suggested Language [See Appendix A below] used to fill out the VPAT and is there consistent usage throughout? YES NO
7. Are all Tables in the suggested three-column format? YES
8. Are the Table columns Used and Organized as suggested? YES NO

for Summary Table

1. 8.1 Does Column 1 (Criteria) of the Summary Table describe the subsections? YES NO
2. 8.2 Does Column 2 (Supporting Features) of the Summary Table describe whether the product has features that support the accessibility Criteria of the corresponding subsection, or, state "Not Applicable"? YES NO
3. 8.3 Does Column 3 (Remarks & Explanations) of the Summary Table contain additional General remarks about the product? YES NO

for DetailTables

1. 8.4 Does Column 1 (Criteria) of the Detail Tables contain the lettered paragraphs of the respective subsection? YES NO
2. 8.5 Does Column 2 (Supporting Features) of the Detail Tables describe whether the product has features that support the acessibility Criteria of the corresponding subparagraph, or, state "Not Applicable"? YES NO
3. 8.6 Does Column 3 (Remarks & Explanations) of the Detail Tables contain additional Detailed remarks and explanations about the prodcut? YES NO
   1. 8.6.1 Does the vendor list additional Accessibility Features or how it does not comply with Section 508? YES NO NOT APPLICABLE
   2. 8.6.2 Does the vendor explain in detail where in the product an Exception occurs (if applies)? YES NO NOT APPLICABLE
   3. 8.6.3 Does the vendor explain Equivalent Methods of Facilitation (if applies)? (Definition of "equivalent facilitation" See 36 CFR 1194.5.)? YES NO NOT APPLICABLE

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APPENDIX A (of the DoS GPAT Checklist)

Suggested Language for Filling out the GPAT
In order to simplify the task of conducting market research assessments for procurement officials or customers, ITIC (Information Technology Industry Council) has developed suggested language for use when filling out a V PAT/G PAT. You may choose to employ all or some of the language below. Once you determine what language you intend to use, we recommend that use is consistent throughout all of your GPATs.

Supporting Features (Column 2 on GPAT)

Supports
Use this language when you determine the product fully meets the letter and intent of the Criteria.

Supports with Exceptions
Use this language when you determine the product does not fully meet the letter and intent of the Criteria, but provides some level of access relative to the Criteria.

Supports through Equivalent Facilitation
Use this language when you have identified an alternate way to meet the intent of the Criteria or when the product does not fully meet the intent of the Criteria.

Supports when combined with Compatible AT
Use this language when you determine the product fully meets the letter and intent of the Criteria when used in combination with Compatible AT. For example, many software programs can provide speech output when combined with a compatible screen reader (commonly used assistive technology for people who are blind).

Does not Support
Use this language when you determine the product does not meet the letter or intent of the Criteria.

Not Applicable
Use this language when you determine that the Criteria do not apply to the specific product.

Not Applicable - Fundamental Alteration Exception Applies
Use this language when you determine a Fundamental Alteration of the product would be required to meet the Criteria (see the access board standards for the definition of "fundamental alteration").

IMPACT Outreach Center

IRM Program for Accessible Computer/Communication Technology (IMPACT)
(IRM/BPC/BC/SAS)
2121 Virginia Ave, N.W. (SA-3), Suite 4170
Washington, DC 20520
Email: SECTION508@state.gov
Voice: (202) 663-0221
TTY: (202) 663-0084
Internet: http://www.state.gov/m/irm/impact/index.htm

** ITIC V PAT Best Practices (http://www.itic.org/reports/508/Sec508.html)