Microsoft
Section 508 VPATs for Microsoft products
The following VPAT documents describe how the accessibility features of Microsoft products help federal agencies address the requirements of Section 508 Standards.
A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template, or VPAT, is a standardized form developed by the Information Technology Industry Council to show how a software product meets key regulations of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
The act requires all agencies and departments of the U.S. federal government to make electronic information and technology accessible to federal employees and members of the public with disabilities.
Recently released VPATs for Microsoft Products
Download these VPATs to learn more about Microsoft accessibility features.
On This Page
Recently released VPATs for Microsoft Products    Recently released VPATs for Microsoft Products
VPATs for Microsoft Products   VPATs for Microsoft Products
Our Commitment to Accessibility   Our Commitment to Accessibility
Reinforcing Best Practices   Reinforcing Best Practices
Additional Resources   Additional Resources
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VPATs for Microsoft Products
Download these VPATs to learn more about Microsoft accessibility features.
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Our Commitment to Accessibility
At Microsoft, our dedication to accessibility began in 1988 with the launch of Microsoft Windows 2.0 and continues today with unique accessibility features in Microsoft Office XP and Windows XP. Since our initial involvement with accessibility issues, we have continued our dedication to improving the accessibility of our widely used and supported products and creating innovative technologies that everyone can use.
Our Accessible Technology Group has more than 40 people working with product developers, assistive-technology companies and disability advocates to ensure that people with disabilities can use software developed by both Microsoft and other companies. The overall mission of this group is to make accessibility integral to our platforms, products, programs, and services. Our strategy is:
•Develop products, technologies and services that are accessible and usable by all people regardless of their capabilities.
•Build relationships with the disability community to help us better understand and respond to customer needs.
•Equip and motivate the development community to produce great accessibility solutions.
•Empower customers with information to make informed choices about the new and existing products they use.
Microsoft is committed to helping our government customers implement Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. We proactively educate our product groups about designing accessible products that are easy to use and document how our products meet the Access Board's Section 508 Standards. This documentation (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template or VPAT) provides government with the information needed to conduct market research for Section 508. To learn more, read Microsoft Actively Supports Section 508.
"See how a Microsoft Product Team was able to save a government contract through spearheading an effort to quickly complete VPATs for the agencies." For more information visit Right for Customers and Business (Microsoft Word document, 40 KB).
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Reinforcing Best Practices
As new regulations such as Section 508 raise awareness of the value of designing and deploying accessible technologies in the workplace, the implications for the estimated 54 million people with disabilities, including 8.5 million who want to work but remain unemployed are limitless.
Microsoft believes that Section 508 is good for industry, government and, most importantly, for people with disabilities. We work closely with federal IT managers and fellow technology-industry leaders to help government comply with their new regulations. Our hope is that Section 508 will encourage more competition and innovation on accessible technology—which in turn will lead to an increased number of people with disabilities finding employment that suits their talents and skills.
Today, and in the years ahead, technology has the potential not only to create thousands of new jobs, but also to break down barriers that in the past may have prevented people with disabilities from finding productive and fulfilling jobs. Microsoft is committed to helping make this vision a reality by developing software that is innovative, easy to use, and gives everyone the opportunity to succeed.
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Additional Resources
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Microsoft and Accessible Technology

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MSDN Accessibility Information for Developers

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Related Links
For further information on Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, see: