How we vet accessibility specialists
Every specialist listed in the VPATify marketplace has submitted a professional profile. Profiles with verified credentials are confirmed against external sources before the Verified badge is awarded. Here is what the process looks like.
Vetting steps
Profile and credential submission
Specialists submit their professional profile including a display name, headline, bio, and the WCAG specialisms they cover (auditing, remediation, VPAT preparation, training, screen reader testing, PDF accessibility, legal/ADA, or design review). They may also submit certifications — the certification name, issuing organization, year issued, and a verification URL where applicable.
Certification review
Where a verificationUrl is provided, VPATify reviews it to confirm the credential exists and matches the submitted details. Recognized credentials include CPACC (Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies) and WAS (Web Accessibility Specialist) from IAAP, as well as certifications from W3C, Deque University, and equivalent programs. Credentials without a publicly verifiable URL are listed but not badged as verified.
Profile activation
Once a profile passes review it is set to active and appears in the directory. Profiles ship active — there is no pending queue for standard applications. Profiles that fail review or are later found to misrepresent credentials are suspended and removed from the directory. Organizations can report concerns to office@vpatify.com.
The Verified badge
A blue "Verified" badge on a specialist card means VPATify has confirmed at least one submitted credential against an external source. It is a signal of professional standing, not a guarantee of work quality. Organizations are encouraged to review each specialist's listed specialisms, bio, and service offerings before engaging.
Recognized accessibility credentials
VPATify recognizes the following credentials when specialists provide a valid verification URL. This list is not exhaustive — other professional certifications from accredited organizations are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
- CPACC — Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (IAAP)
- WAS — Web Accessibility Specialist (IAAP)
- CPABE — Certified Professional in Accessible Built Environments (IAAP)
- ADS — Accessibility Document Specialist (IAAP)
- Deque University Certificate — Web Accessibility Curriculum (Deque University)
- W3C WAI Training — Web Accessibility Foundations (W3C / edX)
What we do not guarantee
Credential verification confirms that a certification exists and matches the submitted details. It does not evaluate the quality of a specialist's actual work, their communication style, turnaround times, or suitability for your specific project.
Organizations should review specialist profiles in full, consider posting a scoped contract to gather proposals, and assess fit before engaging. The marketplace provides direct communication channels between hirers and specialists.
If you believe a specialist has misrepresented their credentials or provided poor service, email office@vpatify.com. Substantiated complaints result in profile review and, where warranted, suspension.