Digital Accessibility Compliance in Canada

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is an Ontario provincial law that requires organizations to identify, remove, and prevent barriers for people with disabilities.

AODA applies to public, private, and nonprofit organizations operating in Ontario and includes requirements related to digital accessibility under the Information and Communications Standards.

The ACA is Canada’s federal accessibility law that applies to organizations under federal jurisdiction. It focuses on proactive accessibility planning, barrier removal, and accountability for programs and services.

Recent Digital Technologies Accessibility Regulations under the ACA add clearer expectations for websites, mobile apps, software, and digital documents, with phased compliance beginning in 2027–2028

Yes. Both AODA and ACA include requirements related to digital accessibility.

These requirements apply to websites, mobile applications, software platforms, and digital documents. Under the ACA’s new Digital Technologies Accessibility Regulations, organizations must meet defined technical standards aligned with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and demonstrate ongoing compliance through assessments and documentation.

While the two laws differ in jurisdiction and enforcement, accessible digital content is a shared expectation under both frameworks.

Digital accessibility compliance in Canada is primarily measured against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

WCAG is the technical benchmark referenced by AODA and aligned with the ACA’s Digital Technologies Accessibility Regulations for websites, mobile apps, software, and digital content..

AODA applies to organizations operating in Ontario.

This includes public sector bodies and private and nonprofit organizations. Requirements vary based on organization size and sector, with additional reporting and accountability obligations for larger organizations.

The ACA applies to federally regulated entities in Canada.
This includes federal government departments and agencies, Crown corporations, banks, telecommunications companies, and transportation providers. These organizations must publish accessibility plans, establish feedback mechanisms, and report on progress.

Under the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) Digital Technologies Accessibility Regulations, many federally regulated public-sector organizations must meet requirements beginning in 2027, with additional private-sector obligations phased in through 2028. Because accessibility assessments, remediation, and process changes take time, most organizations begin preparing well in advance.

No. Canada has multiple accessibility laws at the federal and provincial levels.
In addition to AODA and ACA, several provinces have enacted accessibility legislation that includes digital accessibility components. Many of these laws reference WCAG as the technical benchmark for inclusive digital design.

AODA and ACA are separate accessibility laws that apply to different jurisdictions in Canada.
AODA applies within Ontario, while ACA applies to federally regulated organizations nationwide. Many organizations align with WCAG standards to support accessibility across both frameworks.