The ABCs of Accessibility Audit Reports: Which is Best for Your Business?

When it comes to evaluating the accessibility of your website or app, understanding which type of audit report is best for you is crucial. The two most common accessibility reports are the Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) and the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT). But did you know that many other reports could be more beneficial?

Accessibility is a critical aspect of the digital landscape, ensuring that websites and digital products are usable by everyone, including individuals with disabilities. For businesses, investing in accessibility is a legal requirement and a strategic decision that can lead to increased market share, improved user experience, and protection against potential lawsuits.

One of the key steps in achieving accessibility is conducting an accessibility audit. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the importance of accessibility audits for businesses and delve into the available types of reports.

Why Businesses Should Prioritize Accessibility

Legal Compliance and Risk Mitigation

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in accessibility-related lawsuits driven by regulations such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508. Non-compliance with accessibility standards can leave businesses vulnerable to legal action, resulting in financial penalties and damage to their reputation.

For example, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) faced a hefty fine of $200,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation for creating a separate, inaccessible website for individuals with disabilities.

By prioritizing accessibility through audits, businesses can ensure compliance with regulations and mitigate the risk of legal consequences.

Market Share and Customer Reach

Accessibility is not just a legal requirement but also a great business opportunity.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately one in four adults in the United States has a disability. This represents a significant portion of the population with considerable purchasing power.

By making their digital products and services accessible, businesses can tap into this market and increase their potential customer reach. Inclusive design and accessibility can also enhance the overall user experience for all users, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

SEO Benefits and Improved Search Rankings

Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial in driving organic traffic to websites in the digital age. Accessibility and SEO are closely connected, as search engines like Google prioritize user experience and accessibility factors when determining search rankings.

Google’s Core Web Vitals and page experience update emphasize the importance of usability and accessibility in determining a website’s ranking. Addressing accessibility issues identified in an audit can improve website performance, user engagement, and search rankings.

By aligning accessibility efforts with SEO strategies, businesses can gain a competitive edge and attract organic website traffic.

Understanding Accessibility Audits and Reports

An accessibility audit is a comprehensive evaluation of a business’s digital products and services to determine their level of accessibility.

It involves thoroughly assessing a website or mobile app’s compliance with accessibility standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

An audit can identify barriers and issues that prevent individuals with disabilities from accessing and using digital content effectively.

Accessibility audits can be conducted through various approaches, each offering different levels of depth and accuracy. Let’s explore the different types of reports that are available as deliverables from an accessibility audit:

1. Accessibility Statement/Policy

An accessibility statement or policy is an essential deliverable that outlines an organization’s commitment to digital accessibility.

It is a public declaration of their dedication to inclusive design and accessibility.

Typically, an accessibility statement includes information about the standards followed (e.g., WCAG), contact details for accessibility inquiries, and timelines for achieving compliance.

This statement demonstrates a business’s commitment to accessibility and provides transparency to users, stakeholders, and potential customers.

Link to the Accessiblü Accessibility Statement

2. Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR)

An Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) provides a detailed account of an organization’s level of accessibility compliance.

It specifies which WCAG success criteria have been met and the level of conformance achieved, such as Level A, AA, or AAA. The ACR serves as a comprehensive summary of the accessibility status of a website or application, allowing businesses to demonstrate their commitment to accessibility and compliance.

3. Accessibility Testing Reports

Accessibility testing reports document the results of accessibility testing conducted during an audit.

These reports identify specific issues and barriers that prevent individuals with disabilities from accessing and using digital content effectively. They offer recommendations for remediation, outlining steps to address identified accessibility issues.

Accessibility testing reports can be generated through automated tools or manual testing conducted by experts, providing businesses with valuable insights into the accessibility gaps within their digital products.

4. Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT)

A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is a standardized document that informs purchasers about a product’s or service’s compliance with accessibility standards.

A VPAT details the product’s conformance with WCAG, European Union, or Section 508 standards in the United States.

Link to the current VPAT templates by the ITIC.Org.

VPATs provide a clear and concise summary of a product’s accessibility features and limitations, helping businesses make informed decisions when procuring digital products or services.

5. Accessibility Audit Reports

Accessibility audit reports offer a comprehensive evaluation of digital properties for accessibility compliance.

These reports provide detailed findings, recommendations, and a roadmap for addressing accessibility issues.

They can be generated in various formats, such as an Excel workbook of itemized issues, WCAG/508 barriers workbook, or recommendations for remediation.

 Accessibility audit reports enable businesses to gain a holistic understanding of their accessibility status and prioritize remediation efforts effectively.

6. Remediation Plans

A remediation plan outlines the steps an organization will take to address identified accessibility issues.

It includes timelines, responsible parties, and issue priorities, providing a structured approach to resolving accessibility gaps.

A remediation plan ensures businesses have a clear roadmap for improving accessibility and can allocate resources efficiently to address the identified issues.

7. Accessibility Compliance Statement in Procurement

An accessibility compliance statement is sought from vendors when procuring products or services.

It indicates the vendor’s offerings’ compliance with accessibility standards and requirements.

Businesses can use these statements to ensure that the products and services they procure align with their accessibility goals and commitments.

8. Training Documentation

Training documentation is essential for organizations aiming to educate employees or content creators about accessibility best practices.

Educational materials can include guides, courses, and certifications, demonstrating a commitment to fostering accessibility knowledge and skills within the organization.

9. User Accessibility Feedback and Complaint Logs

User accessibility feedback and complaint logs help organizations track and prioritize improvements.

These logs capture user feedback, barriers encountered, and complaints related to accessibility issues.

By monitoring and addressing user feedback, businesses can continuously improve their digital products’ accessibility and user experience.

10. Accessibility Monitoring Reports

Periodic accessibility monitoring reports provide an overview of ongoing accessibility efforts within an organization.

These reports track progress on issue resolution, policy updates, and compliance improvements.

Accessibility monitoring reports enable businesses to stay informed about their accessibility initiatives and make data-driven decisions to enhance accessibility continually.

11. Accessibility Compliance Checklists

Accessibility compliance checklists are internal references to ensure adherence to specific accessibility standards.

They aid developers and content creators follow accessibility best practices and help organizations maintain consistency in their accessibility efforts.

12. Issue Logging

Issue logging involves logging individual accessibility issues into project tracking systems.

This can be done using tools like JIRA, Click Up, or Basecamp. Issue logging helps businesses manage and track the progress of accessibility issue remediation effectively.

Typically, issue logging is combined with project management or consulting so experts can create tickets or cards for the remediation team.

13. Project Management

Project management services offered by accessibility experts involve handling the coordination and tracking of accessibility audits and remediation efforts.

This ensures that businesses can efficiently manage their accessibility initiatives and achieve their accessibility goals.

14. Accessibility Remediation

Remediation involves addressing the identified accessibility issues and barriers on a website or application.

Accessibility experts can handle the technical aspects of remediation, ensuring businesses comply with accessibility standards.

It is important to note that not all accessibility experts have the skill set to handle remediation. While most accessibility professionals are experts at testing, only those with backgrounds in web development and coding can handle remediation work.

15. User Journey Videos

User journey videos visually represent accessibility issues, barriers, and positive aspects as auditors navigate through a website or complete specific processes.

These videos offer businesses an in-depth understanding of the user experience and highlight areas that require improvement.

The Benefits of Different Accessibility Reports

Each type of accessibility report offers unique benefits for businesses. Let’s explore the advantages they provide:

Reports and Documents Best for External Use

• Accessibility statements/policies demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity and transparency, building trust with users and stakeholders.
  
  They can also help deter potential lawsuits when publicly available on a company’s website.

• Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs) provide clear and concise information about a product’s accessibility features and limitations by listing compliance with each standard criterion, such as WCAG or Section 508.
  
  VPATs are often required for 508 compliance and are a universally accepted way of showing conformance for purchasing, contracting, and legal reasons.
  
  Any government agency receiving federal funds should ask for a VPAT. Any company intending to do business with a school or public entity should have a VPAT.
  
• Accessibility compliance statements in procurement help businesses align their procurement decisions with their accessibility goals and commitments.
  
  A type of summarized VPAT, these statements can be useful for companies wondering if they need a VPAT and want to show compliance or who need documentation for a proposal or contract.
  
• Remediation plans provide a structured approach to addressing accessibility issues, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.
  
  These plans are best for companies and teams not experienced in handling accessibility remediation or those needing to show how they plan to meet an OCR or court-ordered conformance level.
  

Reports Best for Internal Use

• Accessibility conformance reports (ACRs) provide a comprehensive summary of accessibility compliance.
  
  Best for businesses needing a full report for internal stakeholders on the status of a website, multiple URLs, and all digital assets.
  
• Accessibility audit reports comprehensively evaluate accessibility compliance, guiding businesses in prioritizing remediation efforts.
  
  Best for companies who want a detailed list of issues and plan to handle the remediation work themselves.
  
• Accessibility testing reports offer detailed insights into accessibility issues and provide recommendations for remediation.
  
  Testing reports can be designed to meet client specifications and be spreadsheets or reports.
  
• Training documentation fosters accessibility knowledge and skills within the organization, empowering employees to create accessible digital content.
  
  Best for companies that want to improve diversity and inclusion and teams that want materials they can trust as they improve their assets.
  
• User accessibility feedback and complaint logs enable businesses to track and prioritize improvements based on user input.
  
  Critical for managers and developers looking to improve usability and accessibility.
  
• Accessibility monitoring reports offer ongoing insights into accessibility progress, enabling businesses to make data-driven decisions.
  
  Quarterly or monthly reports for managers and those ensuring websites stay accessible. These are best for companies with dynamic websites and where many people are actively uploading or altering web content.
  
• Accessibility compliance checklists aid in maintaining adherence to specific accessibility standards, ensuring consistency in accessibility efforts.
  
  Great for developers, designers, and content creators to reference and ensure their work follows accessibility best practices.
  
• Issue logging and project management services streamline accessibility initiatives, facilitating efficient tracking and resolution of accessibility issues.
  
  Best for companies that need assistance in remediating accessibility issues.
  
• Accessibility remediation services ensure businesses comply with accessibility standards, enhancing the usability of their digital products.
  
  A necessity for companies that lack the ability or expertise to remediate issues independently.
  
• User journey videos visually represent the user experience, highlighting areas for improvement and guiding accessibility efforts.
  
  Essential to understanding the perspective of disabled users, these videos are helpful for managers, designers, developers, and stakeholders to understand the accessibility experience better.  
  

It is worth noting that different types of reports require various levels of expertise to produce. While some reports, such as accessibility statements/policies and compliance checklists, can be created internally with proper knowledge and guidance, others, like accessibility audit reports and remediation plans, may require the assistance of external accessibility experts.

At Accessiblü, we’re proud to offer one of the most comprehensive lists of accessibility reports. Our team of experts can assist businesses in conducting thorough accessibility audits and delivering the necessary reports for compliance.

In conclusion, accessibility audits play a crucial role in ensuring that businesses meet the needs of all users, regardless of their abilities.

By conducting comprehensive audits and utilizing various accessibility reports, businesses can identify and address accessibility issues, comply with regulations, improve user experience, and foster inclusivity.

Accessiblü offers a range of expertise and deliverables to support businesses in their accessibility journey, ensuring that your digital products and services are accessible to all.

Take the first step toward accessibility by prioritizing an audit and leveraging the power of accessibility reports to create a more inclusive digital environment.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Businesses should consult with legal professionals to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and standards.