What are VPAT vs. WCAG intermediations?
VPAT vs WCAG intermediation is the act of intervening on matters relating to the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) on one side, and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) on the other.
The VPAT is a self-disclosing document that was developed to deepen accessibility by providing a standard framework for evaluating how information and communication technology (ICT) products and services confirm to the established accessibility standards and guidelines: Section 508, the European Union (EU) EN 301 549 standard, and the WCAG.
The VPAT WCAG intermediations improve understanding of how the VPAT and WCAG accessibility tools work together to improve accessibility.
The VPAT WCAG is the best tool for predicting how VPAT vs. WCAG interactions will play out in 2024.This is the VPAT edition that incorporates the technical requirements and criteria for accessible websites, electronic content, and web-based and mobile applications.
This edition of the VPAT is underpinned by four key principles: perceiveability, operability, understandability, and robustness (POUR). The basic structure of accessibility for websites, electronic content, and web and mobile applications hinges on these four principles.
Global trends that will affect the VPAT vs. WCAG space
It is important for VPAT vendors to be cognizant of the global trends in the ICT sector that will affect the happenings in the VPAT vs. WCAG space.
That is because ICT is more important than ever for the success of the global business community, and the ICT space is evolving in ways that will necessitate VPAT and WCAG intermediation to evolve accordingly.
Some of the global trends that could be anticipated in 2024 and that will impact how VPAT vendors will need to reorient themselves in the VPAT accessibility space include the following:
- Emerging ICT initiatives that change how data is processed and stored
The edge computing phenomenon is a key ICT initiative that is likely to affect the VPAT vs. WCAG operations that we have become accustomed to.This is a form of distributed computing where computation and data storage take place closer to the end user.
This has a bearing on the VPAT vendors because as more data is processed and stored each day, it will become more difficult to have it located in far-off data centers.
As a result, they must begin planning to create VPAT statement and reports for products and services that use smart objects and network gateways to process and store data close to end users’ locations. This occasions new VPAT vs. WCAG thinking.
- Rise of remote work and growth of IOT and smart devices
The growth of the Internet of Things (IoT), smart devices, and the rise of remote work will have a bearing on VPAT vs. WCAG intermediation.
As 5G and IoT proliferate, devices close to the data sources can be expected to capture larger portions of the new data that is created, which presents accessibility issues that VPAT and WCAG accessibility requirements need to factor in.
- Rising cyber attacks and the importance of cyber security
Data breaches can be expected to rise in 2024 compared to prior years. This is something that affects VPAT vs. WCAG intermediation because VPAT vendors are likely to become more cautious about disclosing the features of their ICT products and services for fear of giving fodder to cyber criminals.
- The Internet of Behavior (IoB) is gaining popularity.
The Internet of Behaviors (IoB) is an emerging trend that can be expected to explode in 2024. It involves the interpretation of data collected by the IoT and uses this data to influence consumer or employee behavior.
Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and big data will help organizations process the massive amount of behavioral data collected, which may make organizations reduce their focus on VPAT vs. WCAG interventions in favor of IoB-based interventions.
- Privacy-enhancing computation
Privacy-enhancing computation is a trend that is anticipated going forward in 2024. This is aimed at securing customer data.
This is likely to affect VPAT vs. WCAG interventions because VPAT vendors will be increasingly cautious about exposing the key features of their products or services that enhance the privacy of customer data. This means that if you’re an ICT buyer, you may not get as much information from a VPAT statement or report provided by a VPAT vendor. The vendors will need to understand you so as to provide you with deeper information about their products and services.
Do you require VPAT consultations that are informed by global trends for 2024?
Going forward, successful VPAT compliance will be underpinned by an astute understanding of the emerging trends and how they impact the safety and security of the buyers and vendors. ADACP understands all these and has integrated them into our VPAT consultations.
Feel free to Call Our Consultant Today to learn about how we can help you with our interventions that take cognizance of the dynamic global trends in the ICT sector. Our VPAT consultations are always free.