Who are VPAT consultants?
VPAT consultants areExcellent Advice to New VPAT Consultants people who are experts in VPAT free ada website compliance checker and give professional help and advice to individuals, organizations, and businesses in such VPAT domain areas as choosing the appropriate edition of the VPAT template to use in documenting the conformance of an information and communication technology (ICT) product or service to standards applicable in a particular market, undertaking VPAT testing of products and services, filling out the appropriate VPAT template to generate a VPAT report, and making the VPAT report accessible to members of the public
VPAT consultants may provide VPAT consultations on a temporary or contractual basis until the client’s particular VPAT consulting need is fully accomplished.
Why VPAT consultants are hired
Individuals, organizations, and businesses usually hire VPAT consultants to help them get an objective outsider opinion on the accessibility of their ICT products or services. VPAT consultants help to solve internal accessibility blind spots as well as provide guidance on resolving accessibility problems associated with their products and services.
A VPAT consultant does not just help VPAT vendors document the accessibility of their products and services; they also help buyers and procurement officials interpret what is written in VPAT reports so that they choose the most accessible product or service to purchase.
The consultants, therefore, provide an opportunity for a business or organization to fill a temporary staffing gap in a scalable way. If you’re a buyer or procurement official involved in buying ICT products or services for your organization or business but lack the requisite VPAT accessibility skills to enable you to select the VPAT reports leading you to the most accessible products or services, you don’t have to hire a member of staff for such non-core functions because a VPAT consultant will effectively fill that gap for you.
The accessibility market also has few people who understand and have specialized in the available accessibility laws, standards, and guidelines. VPAT consulting helps you get access to top expertise that would otherwise be difficult to source and hire if the employment option were to be pursued.
When you look for VPAT consultants, choose those who enjoy problem solving, make the most of presentations, and employ stellar communication skills. Besides being knowledgeable in accessibility issues and emerging dynamics, the consultants should also be flexible and be willing to put you, as their client, first. They should also be able to clearly demonstrate the value they’re going to add to you and your business in terms of optimizing the benefits of VPAT compliance for your business growth.
Guidance for new VPAT consultants
The VPAT consulting arena is rapidly expanding as more and more individuals, organizations, and businesses embrace VPAT compliance. The danger with promising consultancy opportunities is that they tend to attract people who are overly focused on the financial gains they will receive from the consulting services rather than learning to offer their clients value for money services.
If you’re new to VPAT consulting, here are a few tips to help you succeed in delivering value to your clients:
- Master the VPAT compliance terrain
VPAT compliance requires learning the different laws and policies that regulate the domain. You must not only keep your knowledge of these issues up to date, but you must also constantly scan for new and emerging issues and their implications for the various types of VPAT vendors about whom you will be inquiring.
There is no secret to mastering the VPAT accessibility issues other than immersing yourself in the literature on the matter and attending trainings offered by accessibility experts.
- Work under a trusted umbrella
If you’re new to VPAT consulting, it is advisable that you work with an established VPAT consulting agency like ada checker. You cannot succeed in VPAT consulting unless you work under an umbrella or VPAT compliance agency that is trusted and can offer you opportunities to work, learn, and grow.
Working with an established accessibility-consulting agency will provide you with the exposure and experience you need to be able to effectively deliver great VPAT accessibility service to clients.
- Always focus on improving the quality of your services
The VPAT consulting arena is very dynamic. You need to ensure you’re always on top of things by joining the right networks and managing your listings and reviews.
You’ll also significantly grow by honestly reviewing the feedback you gather.
It is also crucial that you improve your presentations and keep the platforms through which your clients learn about you always updated and professional. Also, make sure that you use strong content in all of your marketing.
- Be picky about choosing your clients
As a new VPAT consultant, you need to know that you won't succeed if you do not develop a clientele niche to focus on. When you get picky with your clients, you’ll develop a scope that will enable you to always pay attention to detail. This also helps you become a "go-to" person.
Need help to grow as a new VPAT consultant?
ADACP can provide you all the support you require to succeed in your VPAT consulting. Our VPAT vendor portfolio is large and ever growing, which will provide you with the right mix of experience to enable you to succeed. Learn more about our VPAT consultancy and find out where you can benefit from our ever-dynamic accessibility journey.