These documents guide software evaluation and purchasing by detailing a software's accessibility. (Note: Having one doesn't mean a product is accessible, read the report to evaluate a product's accessibility - or lack thereof). Technically the VPAT is just the template and the result of the template is the ACR, but often they are used interchangeably.
Voluntary
Product Accessibility Template (VPAT®) - which details the accessibility of Information and Communication software and services and their conformance to the Revised 508 Standards. When the VPAT is complete it creates an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR).
Best practices
Know that ACR and VPAT are often used interchangeably
Request an ACR or VPAT® when evaluating, renewing, or purchasing
Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This will enable the
accessibility features and compliance to be evaluated along with the
product's other offerings.
Review the document. Having a
document doesn't mean that the product is accessible. How accessible
the product is, or isn't will be detailed in the document.
Ask for the methods used to certify the application and to see the accessibility reports
Know that ACR and VPAT are often used interchangeably
Request
an ACR or VPAT® when evaluating, renewing, or purchasing Information
and Communication Technology (ICT). This will enable the accessibility
features and compliance to be evaluated along with the product's other
offerings.
Review the document. Having a document doesn't mean
that the product is accessible. How accessible the product is, or isn't
will be detailed in the document.
Ask for the methods used to certify the application and to see the accessibility reports