VPAT

FTC Publications, Inc.

Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT)
For Cloud Services, Public Relations, and Advertising

Table of Contents

1. Overview
2. Evaluation Methods Used
3. Applicable Standards and Guidelines
4. Conformance Statements
   • 4.1 WCAG 2.1 / Section 508 Integration
   • 4.2 Functional Performance Criteria
   • 4.3 Information, Documentation, and Support
5. Detailed VPAT Sections
   • 5.1 WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA (applicable to web-based/cloud services)
   • 5.2 Revised Section 508 Requirements
   • 5.3 EN 301 549 (if applicable)
6. Notes and Exceptions
7. Contact Information

1. Overview

FTC Publications, Inc. is committed to providing accessible products and services for all users, including individuals with disabilities. This VPAT outlines the accessibility features and known gaps in the accessibility of our cloud-based services, public relations offerings (including content distribution and media tools), and advertising platforms or materials.

This document:

• Describes how our services conform to relevant accessibility standards (e.g., Section 508, WCAG 2.1).
• Provides insight into our ongoing efforts to identify and resolve accessibility barriers.
• Covers both end-user-facing tools (online dashboards, platforms, web content) and supporting documentation (tutorials, customer service portals).

2. Evaluation Methods Used

• Automated Testing: Tools such as Axe, WAVE, or other automated accessibility scanning tools for web interfaces.
• Manual Testing: Keyboard navigation checks, screen reader (e.g., JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver) testing on major browsers.
• User Feedback: Internal user interviews and external customer accessibility feedback.

3. Applicable Standards and Guidelines

• Revised Section 508 Standards (2017) in the United States, which reference WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA.
• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level A and AA Success Criteria for web-based services.
• EN 301 549 (if applicable for EU market) which harmonizes with WCAG 2.1.

4. Conformance Statements

4.1 WCAG 2.1 / Section 508 Integration

Our goal is to comply with WCAG 2.1 at Level AA for all web-based interfaces, along with any additional Section 508 requirements related to non-web software or documentation.

• Cloud Services: Includes our customer portal, content management dashboards, and any service endpoints used to deliver digital content.
• Public Relations: Includes distribution platforms, press release portals, media contact databases, and interactive features.
• Advertising: Includes digital ad creation interfaces, campaign management dashboards, and analytics.

4.2 Functional Performance Criteria

We aim to meet or exceed the following functional performance criteria under Section 508:

• Vision: Support for screen readers and magnification tools, proper color contrast, no reliance on color alone, and accessible images with text alternatives.
• Hearing: If audio or video content is provided in PR or advertising materials, captions and/or transcripts are available.
• Speech: Services requiring voice inputs (rare in our context) provide text-based alternatives.
• Motor: Interfaces support keyboard-only navigation, as well as other assistive technologies (switch devices, voice controls, etc.).
• Cognitive: Clear and consistent navigation, predictable layouts, and the use of plain language where possible.

4.3 Information, Documentation, and Support

• Product Documentation: Manuals, FAQs, and online help are available in accessible formats (HTML, tagged PDF).
• Technical Support: Training and support teams are prepared to respond to inquiries from users with disabilities and can provide guidance on using assistive technologies in conjunction with our services.

5. Detailed VPAT Sections

In the VPAT 2.x format (recommended by the ITI for revised Section 508 compliance), the conformance details are often broken out by WCAG 2.1 success criteria and Section 508 criteria. Below is a sample conformance breakdown.

5.1 WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA

‍(Only a subset of WCAG 2.1 A/AA criteria is shown here; a complete VPAT would enumerate all relevant criteria.)

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5.2 Revised Section 508 Requirements

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5.3 EN 301 549 (If Applicable)

For clients operating in regions that require conformance to EN 301 549, FTC Publications, Inc. aligns its cloud services, public relations platforms, and advertising tools with equivalent WCAG 2.1 success criteria. Detailed cross-references are available upon request.

6. Notes and Exceptions

• Archived Content: Older press releases or archived advertising materials may not meet all criteria. We are actively remediating this content as resources permit.
• Third-Party Integrations: Certain analytics dashboards or embedded widgets are provided by third-party vendors. We regularly communicate accessibility requirements to these vendors and work with them to ensure their services meet our accessibility goals.
• Ongoing Improvements: We conduct regular audits and address issues as part of our continuous improvement strategy.

7. Contact Information

For more information regarding this VPAT, or to request additional documentation in alternate formats, please contact:

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Accessibility Team
FTC Publications, Inc.
1055 Howell Mill Rd. SW FL 8
Atlanta, GA, 30318-5557