Accessibility – 6 Business Benefits of a VPAT Report

At Box UK, we believe great digital experiences should be accessible to everyone. That’s why accessibility isn’t just a legal requirement, it’s a smart, responsible, and forward thinking part of doing business online.

One essential tool in the accessibility toolkit is the VPAT® (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template). It’s a formal document that assesses how well your digital product or service supports people with disabilities, measuring alignment with recognised accessibility standards like WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and key regulations including:

• EN 301 549 (European public sector digital standard)
• UK Equality Act 2010 (anti-discrimination law with digital implications)
• The European Accessibility Act (EAA)

The result is a clear, structured Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR). It is based on the VPAT template. This report outlining where your digital products meet, partially meet, or miss accessibility requirements, giving you a transparent picture of where you stand and where you can improve.

In this article, we’ll break down six valuable business benefits of having a VPAT in place  from winning contracts and reducing legal risk, to expanding your audience and strengthening your brand reputation.

Why should your business have a VPAT?

1. Win Contracts – Especially in the Public Sector
   Many government bodies, universities, and large corporations require formal documentation and verification of accessibility standards such as a VPAT during procurement. If your business provides websites, platforms, apps, or digital services, having that report signals compliance and readiness to work with accessibility conscious clients.
2. Reduce Legal Risk
   Digital accessibility lawsuits are on the rise globally. A documented accessibility report helps demonstrate that your organisation is taking accessibility seriously. It can support your position if you’re ever challenged under the UK Equality Act or the European Accessibility Act.
3. Expand Your Audience
   One in five people in the UK lives with a disability. A VPAT audit helps you uncover and remove barriers for people with visual, auditory, cognitive, or motor impairments, boosting usability for everyone and making your products more inclusive.
4. Strengthen Brand Reputation
   Being transparent about accessibility isn’t just ethical, it builds brand trust. Sharing your VPAT shows that you’re committed to digital inclusion and reinforces your values around equality and accessibility.
5. Drive Practical Improvement
   A well-executed Accessibility Report identifies areas for improvement and offers guidance that feeds directly into better UX, front-end code, and testing routines. It helps teams bake accessibility in from the start, rather than retrofitting it later (which is costlier and less effective).
6. Prepare for the Future
   Laws and standards continue to evolve, such as the EU’s European Accessibility Act (coming into force June 2025). Having a VPAT process in place helps future-proof your digital estate.

Summary

A VPAT is a critical accessibility document that:

• Shows how compliant your product is with accessibility standards.
• Supports procurement, legal risk reduction, and inclusion.
• Demonstrates corporate responsibility and enhances usability.

Every business offering digital services should have one, not just as a compliance measure, but as a strategic asset for growth, trust, and innovation.

Ready to Get Your VPAT?

Whether you’re responding to a tender, reviewing compliance, or just want to make your digital platforms more inclusive, a professionally conducted accessibility audit is the essential first step.

Book your Accessibility Audit today to receive a WCAG 2.2-based report, tailored guidance, and expert insights to support your compliance and inclusion goals.

Let’s make digital better for everyone.

Karl Loveday

Principal UX Consultant

Karl is a digital specialist with experience across law, media, health, and financial services. A London E-Commerce graduate, he’s delivered digital projects for the 2012 Olympics and Kiss radio, and keynote speaker at Adobe Experience events. A passionate advocate for user-centred design, Karl was also a CIPR Excellence Awards finalist for a public safety campaign and Fresh PR award Winner.