Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR)
An Accessibility Conformance Report documents how a digital product conforms to Section 508 accessibility standards. It is the primary document federal agencies use to evaluate accessibility during procurement. We prepare ACRs based on independent testing using DHS Trusted Tester methodology.
What Is an Accessibility Conformance Report?
An ACR is the completed version of a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT). The VPAT is a blank template published by the Information Technology Industry Council. When an evaluator fills it out with actual test results, it becomes an ACR.
The ACR documents the conformance level of a product against each applicable WCAG success criterion. For every criterion, it includes a conformance level — Supports, Partially Supports, Does Not Support, or Not Applicable — along with detailed remarks explaining the finding.
Government buyers use ACRs during source selection to assess which products present the lowest accessibility risk. A credible, independently prepared ACR is a competitive advantage in federal procurement.
Why an Independent ACR Matters
Many organizations prepare their own ACRs internally, based on developer assumptions rather than structured testing. These self-reported ACRs carry significantly less weight in procurement evaluations.
Independent evaluation eliminates conflict of interest
When the team that built the product also certifies its compliance, the results lack credibility. An independent evaluator has no stake in the outcome.
Testing methodology is documented and defensible
Our ACRs cite the DHS Trusted Tester methodology, identify the tools and assistive technologies used, and document the testing environment.
Findings are transparent and specific
Every conformance claim includes detailed remarks explaining what works, what does not, and what the impact is. Contracting officers can evaluate risk accurately.
Who Needs an ACR
- Software vendors responding to federal solicitations that require Section 508 documentation
- Prime contractors who need ACRs from subcontractors delivering digital products
- Subcontractors whose websites, applications, or documents are part of a federal deliverable
- SaaS providers whose products are procured by federal agencies
- Organizations updating existing ACRs after product releases or annual refresh cycles
What Our ACR Includes
Every ACR we prepare is based on a comprehensive accessibility audit using DHS Trusted Tester methodology. The deliverable includes:
- Completed VPAT 2.5 document with conformance levels for all applicable WCAG criteria
- Detailed remarks for every criterion explaining what was tested and what was found
- Testing methodology documentation citing tools, assistive technologies, and environment
- Supporting evidence for conformance claims
- 30-day revision support for questions or updates after delivery
Common Problems with Self-Reported ACRs
Contracting officers review hundreds of ACRs during procurement. They recognize patterns that indicate a report was self-reported rather than independently evaluated:
- Every criterion marked "Supports" with no detailed remarks — suggests no actual testing was conducted
- Vague remarks like "generally accessible" or "some issues may exist" — provides no actionable information
- No testing methodology cited — the reader has no basis for trusting the results
- Outdated VPAT template version — signals the organization has not kept pace with standards
- Missing criteria or "Not Evaluated" designations — suggests incomplete evaluation
An independently prepared ACR avoids all of these issues. Read more in our guide: Common VPAT Mistakes That Can Lose You a Government Contract.
Frequently Asked Questions
Need an Accessibility Conformance Report?
We prepare ACRs based on independent testing using DHS Trusted Tester methodology. Every report is documented to meet federal procurement standards.