VPAT and Accessibility in Scheduling: What You Need to Know

For a lot of software companies, accessibility is something they document once and forget. If you work in education or government, you know that’s not good enough—and that’s exactly why VPATs matter.

At YouCanBookMe (YCBM), we don’t see accessibility as a one-and-done task or a box to tick. It’s part of how we build. From strong security practices to inclusive design decisions, we’re focused on making sure our scheduling experience works for as many people as possible.

That’s why we’re committed to maintaining our VPAT and keeping it up to date. Because when accessibility standards evolve, your tools should evolve with them, not quietly let things slide.

A VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) is a document that explains how accessible a product is based on established accessibility standards like WCAG or Section 508.

In practical terms, it helps you answer questions like:

• Can someone navigate this tool without a mouse?
• Will a screen reader correctly interpret what’s on the page?
• Are there any barriers that might prevent someone from using this tool?

If you’re in higher education, government, or working with public sector organizations, this isn’t just helpful—it’s often required.

It’s also especially timely. As of March 31, 2026, updated ADA Title II requirements in the U.S. are pushing public sector organizations to meet stricter accessibility expectations. That means more scrutiny on the tools you use and whether they’re truly accessible.

But beyond compliance, there’s a bigger picture: accessibility is about making sure more people can actually use what you’ve built. A VPAT shows how seriously a company takes that responsibility and whether they’re doing the ongoing work to stay accessible.

Most state and local agencies require a VPAT to be less than 2 years old for just that reason. If you're using a product that hasn't updated its VPAT in more than 2 years, accessibility may not be as big a priority for them as it is for you.

And when you look at it that way, it becomes pretty clear why we believe YouCanBookMe is a better choice than Calendly, especially considering they’ve chosen not to renew theirs since 2021.

Your booking page is often the first interaction someone has with your organization. If that experience isn’t accessible, it doesn’t just create friction—it excludes people.

At YCBM, we build and update our scheduling app with all of our customers in mind. Here are a few of the ways we support accessible booking:

• Keyboard navigation: Users can schedule, reschedule, and cancel bookings without needing a mouse.
• Screen reader optimization: Form fields, buttons, and calendar elements are clearly labeled so screen readers can accurately interpret them.
• Contrast and focus: Buttons, links, and form fields are easy to see thanks to strong color contrast, with clear focus indicators so keyboard users always know where they are on the page.

A VPAT isn’t just a document. It’s a signal.

It tells you whether a company is actively thinking about accessibility, maintaining standards, and building a product that works for more people.

At YouCanBookMe, we take that seriously. We’re committed to keeping our VPAT up to date and continuing to improve how accessible our scheduling experience is—because that’s what our users need, and frankly, what they deserve.

👉 You can review our latest VPAT documentation here.