Common VPAT Errors Found by Section 508 Compliance Checkers

A Section**** 508 compliance checker team can give you a reality check for your VPAT. Many vendors believe their VPAT is complete because every row is filled. However, automated and manual Section 508 checks usually tell a very different story.

**** 

In practice, compliance checkers can flag code-level issues. They even expose documentation gaps and inaccurate claims inside your VPAT reports. Read the most common VPAT errors that Section 508 compliance checkers consistently uncover. 

**** 

1. Overusing Supports Without Evidence

**** 

Expert Section 508 compliance checker can reveal gaps even if the report claims full support:

**** 

• Keyboard navigation fails
• Screen readers miss labels
• Color contrast doesn’t meet minimum ratios

**** 

Q: Is it acceptable to mark Supports without testing proof?

A: Your buyers and their procurement teams expect VPAT claims to be backed by real testing results and not assumptions. 

**** 

Best practice: Use “Supports” only when testing confirms full compliance. Make sure you reference the tools or methods used. A VPAT with honest limitations and clear explanations is often more acceptable than one claiming perfection.

**** 

2. Ignoring “Partially Supports” Where Required

**** 

Partially Supports looks bad to some vendors so they avoid it. In reality, compliance checkers flag VPATs that unrealistically show perfect compliance.

A screen reader works but misses dynamic content. Sometimes, the keyboard navigation works except in modal dialogs. Or the color contrast passes in most areas but fails in charts. 

**** 

A Section 508 checker will catch these gaps immediately. Remember, honest “Partially Supports” entries are expected and often preferred over inaccurate Supports claims.

**** 

3. Missing or Vague Remarks Columns

**** 

Checkers can easily identify inaccurate VPATs with Remarks and Explanations column are left blank. You cannot fill it with generic text like Compliant. You will need 508 Compliance Testing to avoid the vague remark red flag which is often noticed by procurement review teams.

**** 

Q: What should remarks include for Section 508 VPATs?

A: Mention explicitly about the testing details, known limitations, assistive technologies used and realistic user impact explanations.

**** 

4. Relying Only on Automated Section 508 Checkers

**** 

Automated 508 compliance checkers are helpful but they don’t catch everything. Many VPATs incorrectly assume that a clean automated scan equals full compliance.

**** 

Automated tools cannot reliably test:

**** 

• Screen reader usability
• Logical reading order
• Keyboard focus behavior
• Error messaging clarity

**** 

Discrepancies between the VPAT and real usage become obvious when manual testing is added. 

5. Incorrect Mapping Between WCAG and Section 508

**** 

VPAT 2.5 Section 508 Edition and WCAG Edition are not identical. A common error is copying WCAG-based VPAT content into the Section 508 edition with no proper alignment.

**** 

Section 508 compliance checkers can reveal criteria marked compliant under WCAG but not in the required edition. They can help you spot the missing references to revised 508 requirements. Seek expert guidance to remove inconsistent terminology from your VPAT report. 

**** 

Best practice: Treat Section 508 as its own legal standard, even when WCAG is used for testing.

**** 

Government agencies and enterprise buyers need a VPAT they can trust. Section 508 compliance checkers help them identify overstated accessibility claims. 

Incomplete testing

**** 

Conclusion

Section 508 compliance checkers are not your enemy. Make them your quality filter to win more business. Most VPAT issues don’t come from the tools themselves but from rushed documentation. Stay away from overly optimistic “Supports” claims. If there is a lack of clarity around real accessibility requirements then hire Section 508 reviewers to evaluate products during procurement. 

**** 

When your VPAT can confidently withstand a Section 508 compliance checker, it becomes a credibility asset. With the help of a Section 508 Certification, you can pass accessibility audits and win government and enterprise deals. 

**** 

If you need help getting there, consult with ADACP. They specialize in expert-led VPAT and Section 508 testing that go beyond checklists. The compliance checkers ensure your VPAT reflects real testing and clear evidence.