What is a VPAT?
The VPAT, which is an acronym for Voluntary Product Accessibility Template, is a self-disclosing document created by the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) in partnership with the General Services Administration (GSA) for use in documenting the degree to which an information and communication technology (ICT) product or service conforms to the established accessibility standards and guidelines.
Depending on how complicated the features and functionalities of the ICT product or services under evaluation are, a typical, completely completed VPAT document might be anywhere from 50 pages to hundreds of pages long.
What is VPAT Consultancy?
VPAT consultancy is the provision of independent specialist VPAT assistance, including advice and implementation support toward VPAT accessibility for a business or organization.
A VPAT consultant helps businesses and organizations identify accessibility problems in their ICT products and services, suggests solutions, educates actors in the entity, facilitates the desired change, revitalizes the drive toward compliance with the established accessibility standards or guidelines, and inspires an organizational culture that integrates accessibility into its policy and practice.
Due diligence is essential when looking for a VPAT consultant because not all people who identify themselves as such will provide you with the kind of VPAT certification you want for your company or organization.
For successful VPAT accessibility processes, get a VPAT consultant who has self-confidence, exhibits humility, is a good listener, has an eye for detail, is a team player, has exceptional communication skills, is able to showcase accessibility and VPAT expert knowledge, and easily cultivates and gains the trust of his or her clients.
Tips For Becoming A Great VPAT Consultant
You may have noticed that the VPAT consulting industry is full of high performers as well as consultants that are struggling to make any noticeable impact. So, what does it take to become a great VPAT consultant in such a competitive industry that has some of the very best accessibility experts? Here are some of the overlooked, but important, tips for breaking the ceiling to become a top-performing VPAT consultant:
- Expertise in comprehensive VPAT testing
From my experience, honing one’s expertise in undertaking comprehensive VPAT testing is one of the three important tips that top VPAT consultants prioritize toward becoming top performers.
Therefore, whether you've recently launched a VPAT consulting business or are considering it as a career path, consider how you can develop your capacity to thoroughly assess key features and functionalities of ICT products and services with a view to identifying the current barriers to access and providing workable solutions to remove the barriers.
- Being a safe pair of hands for your clients
Being a safe pair of hands for your clients means that you will do exactly what you said you would do, as well as when you said you would do it. This may sound simple, but it is the number one tip needed to build trust and credibility among your clients.
Always keep in mind that when conducting research before selecting a VPAT consultant to help them achieve their VPAT accessibility, clients frequently cross-reference.
So, if one client considers you not to be a safe pair of hands, they will inform those who may be planning to secure your services about your unpredictability and lack of credibility, which could injure your chances of succeeding.
- Not being afraid to ask good questions
Asking good questions is at the core of how top-performing VPAT consultants work. Many VPAT consultants overlook the fact that good questions help ensure they understand what they need to concentrate on within the context of the practical challenges the client is facing. Asking good questions also demonstrates to the client that the consultant understands what they are required to do.
As a VPAT consultant, never be hesitant to clarify any issues. That is because doing so will help you collect all the information you need to help solidify the VPAT certification process. A good VPAT consultant makes an effort to reiterate what has been said or established, even if you don't have a question to ask, to give their clients confidence that they are capable of handling the task at hand.
Need A Top VPAT Consultant To Help You With Your VPAT Accessibility?
If you’re a VPAT consultant and need help undertaking your VPAT testing and other aspects of VPAT accessibility, reach out to a top VPAT consultant at (626) 486-2201.