Vendor Contact Templates if VPAT is not Provided:
Dear [______],
I understand that your company has stated that no Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is available at this time for [NAME OF PRODUCT/PLATFORM]. As you may know, VPATs provide documentation about the ways that an information and communication technology conforms or does not conform with the requirements of U.S. Revised Section 508, European EN 301 549, and/or WCAG standards. SUNY is committed to providing equitable access to individuals with disabilities and, as such, relies on VPATs or equivalent documentation in making our procurement decisions. Moreover, this is increasingly the standard across higher education to ensure that we are in compliance with federal law. Without this documentation, we are unable to rely on your product’s accessibility. Please confirm when this accessibility documentation will be available. If you are not able to immediately provide this documentation, at a minimum provide a description of your current accessibility compliance as well as your roadmap for future accessibility improvements.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about this matter.
Best,
Or this template from Broome Community College (edit bold content):
Dear VENDOR,
Thank you for checking on the VPAT availability for this product.
In the absence of a VPAT, can you provide us with any information regarding the accessibility of the product? For example, what are known supports for accessibility criteria? What are known accessibility gaps of the product and how are those addressed? Do you have clients who require accessibility? If so, can you provide a reference for someone who can speak with us about the accessibility of your product? What experiences does your team have coding for accessibilities? What standards are used (e.g., WCAGs)? Do you do testing with users with disabilities? Does your company have a roadmap for accessibility going forward? Have you tested mobile apps with accessibility in mind? Would your company indemnify the college against legal action related to accessibility?
Is there a plan to create a VPAT for this product? We currently request and review VPATs at purchase and renewal. For purchases to move forward, a VPAT will be requested at the next purchase/renewal period.
Thank you for your assistance.