Ontario

AODA compliance checklist for Ontario businesses

Every Ontario business with at least one employee has AODA duties: accessible feedback, accessible formats on request and staff training. With 20 or more employees, you file an accessibility compliance report by December 31, 2026. With 50 or more, your public website must meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA.

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Your business

The rules depend on how many people you employ in Ontario. Your answer shows or hides the items below.

How many employees do you have in Ontario?

1 to 1920 to 4950 or more

Not sure how to count? See accessibility rules for businesses and non-profits on ontario.ca.

Feedback

Every Ontario business, whatever its size, needs a feedback process that people with disabilities can use.

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Your process for receiving feedback is accessible
For an online store, check that your contact form works with a keyboard and a screen reader, and give people another way to reach you, such as email or phone.
ontario.ca: O. Reg. 191/11, Integrated Accessibility Standards

Accessible formats and communication supports

This applies to every Ontario business, whatever its size.

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You provide accessible formats and communication supports when asked
For example, product details in plain text or large print, or help over the phone. Provide them in a timely way and at no more than your regular cost.
ontario.ca: O. Reg. 191/11, Integrated Accessibility Standards
You tell the public that they are available
A line on your accessibility statement or contact page is a simple way to do it. Our statement generator includes one.
ontario.ca: O. Reg. 191/11, Integrated Accessibility Standards

Training

Training applies to businesses of every size.

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Your staff are trained on the AODA standards and the Ontario Human Rights Code
The training covers the accessibility standards that apply to you and the parts of the Human Rights Code that relate to people with disabilities.
ontario.ca: O. Reg. 191/11, Integrated Accessibility Standards
You keep a list of who was trained and whenGood practice, not required
Useful when you fill in the compliance report, and when new staff join.

Answer the question about your employees to see the website, multi-year plan and compliance report items.

How to use the AODA checklist

Who it is for: Ontario businesses and non-profits, including online stores, getting ready for the 2026 compliance report. It is free and needs no sign-up.

Last reviewed: October 17, 2026. Not legal advice.

Choose your sizeTell the checklist how many people you employ in Ontario. It shows only the duties that apply to you.
Tick off each dutyWork through feedback, accessible formats, training, the compliance report and, at 50 or more employees, the website rule.
Save or print your progressYour ticks are saved in this browser. Print the list to keep with your records or to share with your team.

How the rules scale with your size.

Which AODA duties apply at each number of Ontario employees
Duty	1 to 19	20 to 49	50 or more
Accessible feedback process	Applies	Applies	Applies
Accessible formats on request, and telling the public	Applies	Applies	Applies
Training on the AODA and the Human Rights Code	Applies	Applies	Applies
Compliance report, due December 31, 2026	Does not apply	Applies	Applies
Policies and multi-year accessibility plan	Does not apply	Does not apply	Applies
Website and web content at WCAG 2.0 level AA	Does not apply	Does not apply	Applies

What the website rule means for a Shopify store

The rule covers your public website and anything you control on it, including web apps you set up. For a Shopify store, that is your theme, your pages, your product content and the apps you add. It covers content published since January 1, 2012.

The most common problems are the same ones found on most of the web: images without descriptions, text that is too faint, form fields without labels and buttons with no name. Our contrast checker covers one of them for free.

AODA questions

Is AODA mandatory in Ontario?

Yes, for every business and non-profit with at least one employee in Ontario. What you must do grows with your size. Every organization needs an accessible feedback process, accessible formats on request and staff training. At 20 or more employees you also file a compliance report. At 50 or more you also need written policies, a multi-year plan and a website that meets WCAG 2.0 AA.

Who enforces AODA in Ontario?

The Government of Ontario. Under the AODA, directors and inspectors appointed by the province can inspect organizations, order them to comply and issue administrative penalties.

Who has to file the 2026 AODA compliance report?

Businesses and non-profits with 20 or more employees in Ontario. They file every 3 years, and the next report is due December 31, 2026. Designated public sector organizations follow a different schedule.

Does my website have to meet WCAG?

If you have 50 or more employees in Ontario, yes. Your public website and web content must meet WCAG 2.0 level AA, except live captions and audio description for pre-recorded video. This has applied since January 1, 2021. Smaller organizations do not have this website rule, but they still have the duties on feedback, accessible formats and training.

Do I need a certificate or an audit to file?

No. Ontario does not certify websites, and the report is a self-attestation. A senior officer of your business answers the questions and attests that the answers are accurate. Keeping your own record of tests and fixes is a sensible way to back those answers up.

Is Ontario moving to WCAG 2.2?

Not yet. As of October 2026, ontario.ca still names WCAG 2.0 level AA and no amending regulation has been published. WCAG 2.2 includes everything in 2.0, so a store that works toward 2.2 AA is covered either way.

What about my Shopify checkout?

Shopify builds and runs its hosted checkout, so you cannot change its code. You choose its colours and logo. Because the rule covers content you control, the checkout is a grey area. Test the parts you set, and note the rest separately.

What happens if I do not file?

Ontario can issue administrative penalties. The amounts in the regulation depend on how serious the contravention is and on your history, and missing a report has been treated as a minor contravention. Filing on time is still the simplest path.

Sources

Ontario, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005
Ontario, How to complete your accessibility compliance report, updated February 19, 2026
Ontario, How to make websites accessible, updated September 21, 2026
Ontario, Accessibility rules for businesses and non-profits
O. Reg. 191/11, Integrated Accessibility Standards
Gowling WLG, Is your business ready for Ontario's next accessibility deadline, August 25, 2026

This page explains the law in general terms. It is not legal advice. For advice about your business, speak with a lawyer.

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