Vendor Accessibility Requirements

A VPAT, or Voluntary Product Accessibility Template, is a self-assessment template completed by a vendor to generate an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR). A completed ACR provides relevant information on how a vendor's product or service conforms to the Section 508 Accessibility Standards.

Vendor Instructions for Completing an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) for SF State (Updated 2025)

SF State follows the California State University (CSU) requirements for Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACR).

Steps to Complete an ACR:

  1. Download the current VPAT Template: Use the latest VPAT® Version 2.5 508 Edition (March 2025) available at the ITIC VPAT website.
  2. Review Instructions: Read the instructions provided on pages 1-9 of the VPAT 2.5 template carefully.
  3. Complete Relevant Sections: Clearly document product conformance to each applicable Section 508 criterion. Ensure all sections, including "Notes" and "Remarks and Explanations," accurately reflect your product’s current accessibility status.

Note on Older VPAT Versions:

The Section 508 standards were updated significantly in recent years. SF State no longer accepts VPAT reports based on versions earlier than VPAT® 2.5. All submissions must use the current VPAT 2.5 template.

Sample ACR Request Template for Vendors:

If a vendor is unfamiliar with the ACR or VPAT, please use the template below:

Dear [Vendor Contact Name],

SF State and the California State University (CSU) system are committed to ensuring accessible technology for all students, faculty, staff, and stakeholders. To comply with federal Section 508 standards, we require an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) based on the current VPAT® 2.5 508 Edition (March 2025).

Please contact me directly with any questions or for further assistance.

Thank you,

[Campus Requestor Name and Contact Information]

Alternative Accessibility Review Options:

If a vendor cannot provide a completed ACR promptly, SF State's Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI) team offers two alternatives:

  • Option 1: ATI Team Accessibility Testing
    • Vendor provides functional demo access to the product.
  • Option 2: Vendor Live Accessibility Demonstration
    • Vendor must answer questions and demonstrate product accessibility live, covering:

Vendor Questions:

  • How is accessibility integrated into your product development lifecycle?
  • Does your organization have ongoing accessibility training for developers?
  • Which tools or methods do you utilize for accessibility testing?

Required Live Demonstrations:

  • Operate the entire interface exclusively with a keyboard.
  • Demonstrate clearly visible keyboard focus throughout.
  • Scale text to 200% without loss of content or functionality.
  • Verify color contrast meets minimum 4.5:1 ratio (except for large text, logos, or incidental images).
  • Use a screen reader (e.g., JAWS, NVDA) to demonstrate functionality.
  • Show product functionality without reliance on CSS positioning.
  • Navigate to help documentation, identify accessibility features, support contact, and method for reporting accessibility issues.
  • Access and demonstrate the product Accessibility Statement.

Additional Questions:

For further inquiries regarding VPAT/ACR submissions, please contact the SF State ATI team via email at access@sfsu.edu.