Accessible Canada Act Website Compliance: Providers & Costs (2026)

• ACA applies to federally regulated organizations (banks, airlines, etc.)
• Requires accessibility plan, progress reports, and feedback process
• Penalties up to 250,000 CAD per violation for non-compliance
• AccessibilityStatement.org: AODA compliance file from 890 CAD/year
• Other providers: plans from 49.99 CAD/month to 4,500+ CAD for audits
• Not all organizations need ACA/AODA services—check your status before buying

Updated 29 October 2026 · 8 sources checked

Providers compared

Prices as published on each provider's website on 29 October 2026, excluding VAT unless stated. Each row links to its source.

What the Accessible Canada Act Requires (with Article References)

The Accessible Canada Act (ACA) is federal legislation that applies to organizations regulated by the Canadian federal government, such as banks, airlines, Crown corporations, the RCMP, and the Canadian Forces (source). The ACA’s core requirements include:

• Preparation and publication of an accessibility plan, updated at least every three years
• Consultation with persons with disabilities during plan development
• Annual progress reports on the plan’s implementation
• Public description of a feedback process and provision of alternate formats on request

These requirements are set out in the ACA and detailed in the Accessible Canada Regulations. The ACA mandates that documents be kept online or available in accessible formats for at least seven years. Enforcement powers include the ability to investigate, order information, and impose fines. Penalties for non-compliance range from 250 CAD to 250,000 CAD per violation, depending on severity (source).

For organizations operating in Ontario, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) applies if you have 20 or more employees in Ontario. The AODA requires a compliance report by December 31, 2026, and, for organizations with 50+ employees, mandates that public-facing websites and content meet WCAG 2.0 AA (except live captions and pre-recorded audio description). AODA penalties can reach up to 100,000 CAD per day for corporations and 50,000 CAD per day for individuals (source).

Both laws emphasize self-certification and ongoing evidence. ACA and AODA do not require pre-approval or government-issued certificates; compliance is demonstrated through documentation and the ability to substantiate claims if challenged or audited.

How to Choose a Compliance Provider

Choosing the right compliance provider depends on your organization’s regulatory obligations, size, and internal capacity. Start by confirming which law applies: ACA for federally regulated entities, AODA for Ontario-based organizations with 20+ employees, or both if you meet both criteria. Then, assess your needs:

• Human-led audits vs. automated scans: Human audits (as offered by AccessibilityStatement.org, Fair Place Designs, and Gondal Tech) provide in-depth testing and documentation. Automated scans (CompliAccess, Compliable) are faster and less expensive but may miss complex issues.
• Policy and plan support: Some providers include templates or help draft accessibility policies and multi-year plans. AccessibilityStatement.org provides the full file (policy, plan, WCAG test, signed record) for a fixed annual fee.
• Training and feedback processes: Check if staff training modules and accessible feedback systems are included. CompliAccess offers a staff training portal and feedback page in higher tiers.
• Jurisdictional recognition: For AODA, ensure the provider is based in Ontario and can sign records as required by law (AccessibilityStatement.org is signed by an Ontario corporation).
• Cost structure: Understand if the provider charges per page, per scan, or for remediation. AccessibilityStatement.org charges a single annual fee with no extra charges for page count or retests.

Included / Not Included / Extra Fees Table

Always request a sample report or demo before committing, and clarify what documentation you will receive.

What the Price Really Includes

Pricing for ACA and AODA website compliance varies significantly by provider and service level. Automated tools, such as those from CompliAccess and Compliable, generally offer lower monthly rates (from 49.99 CAD/month or USD 490 one-time) and provide automated scans, monitoring, and template reports. These are suitable for organizations with limited budgets or those needing quick technical checks, but may not suffice for legal evidence or complex sites.

Human-led audits, as offered by AccessibilityStatement.org (from 890 CAD/year), Fair Place Designs (from 3,000 CAD), and Gondal Tech (from 4,500 CAD), provide in-depth testing, policy drafting, and signed compliance records. AccessibilityStatement.org’s annual fee covers the full compliance file—policy, plan, WCAG test, signed record—without per-page or retest charges. This is especially valuable for organizations needing a single, comprehensive file for legal reporting and procurement.

Some providers, such as CompliAccess, offer remediation for a one-time fee (499 CAD per site), which involves human review and fixes for detected issues. Others, like Gondal Tech, bundle audits with advanced tech solutions (AI answer bots, municipal website builds) at higher price points.

When comparing providers, ask:

• Is the price per year, per scan, or per page?
• Does it include policy and plan drafting, or just technical scans?
• Are training modules and feedback systems included?
• Is remediation (fixing issues) extra?
• Is the documentation recognized in your jurisdiction?

Transparent, fixed-fee providers like AccessibilityStatement.org can simplify budgeting and compliance, while modular or tiered services may suit organizations with evolving needs.

Hidden Costs and Exclusions

Hidden costs can significantly affect the total price of compliance. Common extra charges include:

• Per-page or per-scan fees: Some providers charge based on the number of website pages or frequency of scans, which can escalate costs for larger sites. AccessibilityStatement.org does not charge per page or per retest.
• Remediation fees: Automated scan providers often charge extra for human remediation. For example, CompliAccess offers a one-time remediation fee of 499 CAD per website.
• Training and feedback system fees: Some providers only include basic templates or require additional payment for staff training modules or hosted feedback systems.
• Ongoing monitoring: Monthly or annual fees may only cover automated checks, not full audits or legal documentation.

What providers usually do not say:

• No provider can file your legal compliance report for you under AODA; it must be self-certified by a senior officer.
• No private provider can issue an official government certification—be wary of misleading claims.
• Notice periods for cancellation, liability limits, and per-request fees for additional documentation or urgent audits are often not disclosed upfront. Always request these details in writing before signing a contract.

Before committing, ask for a complete list of inclusions and exclusions, and clarify whether the provider’s documentation will meet your legal and procurement needs.

How Appointment Works: Step by Step

Engaging a compliance provider and achieving ACA or AODA compliance involves several practical steps. Here’s a typical workflow, applicable to most providers:

1. Determine your obligations: Confirm if ACA, AODA, or both apply (see decision matrix below).
2. Count your employees: For AODA, include all full-time, part-time, and seasonal staff in Ontario; contractors and volunteers are excluded. For ACA, check if you are federally regulated.
3. Gather documentation: Collect existing accessibility policies, training records, and previous compliance reports if available.
4. Contact providers: Request quotes, sample reports, and clarify what is included in each package.
5. Submit details: Provide your website URL, organizational information, and any specific accessibility concerns to the provider.
6. Audit or scan: The provider conducts an audit (human or automated) and prepares the required documentation.
7. Review findings: Receive and review the compliance file, including test results, policy drafts, and remediation recommendations.
8. Implement fixes: Address any issues or gaps identified in the audit (remediation may be included or extra).
9. File your report: For AODA, your senior officer files the compliance report in the Ontario Accessibility Compliance Reporting portal. For ACA, publish your accessibility plan and progress reports as required.
10. Maintain evidence: Keep all documentation and records for at least seven years (ACA) or as required by local law.

Checklist for Buyers

1. Count employees in the relevant jurisdiction
2. Identify your obligations (ACA, AODA, both, or neither)
3. Gather existing policies and training records
4. Request a demo or scan from providers
5. Compare inclusions, exclusions, and total costs
6. Ensure the provider’s documentation meets your legal requirements
7. File the compliance report yourself (if required)

Risks, Fines, and Enforcement

Non-compliance with the ACA or AODA carries significant risks. The ACA empowers the Accessibility Commissioner to investigate, demand information, and impose penalties. Fines for minor violations range from 250 CAD to 75,000 CAD, serious violations up to 150,000 CAD, and very serious violations up to 250,000 CAD per violation (source). Paying within 15 days reduces the penalty by 10%.

Under AODA, corporations can be fined up to 100,000 CAD per day and individuals up to 50,000 CAD per day for non-compliance (source). Offences include failing to comply with accessibility orders, failing to cooperate with inspections, or submitting false/incomplete filings. Each day an offence continues is a separate violation.

Enforcement is typically triggered by complaints, procurement questionnaires, or government audits. Common triggers include inaccessible job application processes, customer complaints about website barriers, or requests from public sector clients for compliance evidence. The law is self-certifying, but organizations must be able to substantiate their declarations with documented evidence if challenged.

To minimize risk:

• Maintain up-to-date accessibility plans, progress reports, and feedback process records
• Ensure your website is tested to at least WCAG 2.0 AA (AODA) or best practice (ACA)
• Keep all supporting documentation for at least seven years (ACA)
• Respond promptly to feedback and remediate barriers quickly

Failure to comply can result in reputational damage, lost contracts, and substantial financial penalties. Proactive compliance and thorough documentation are the best defense.

Decision Matrix: Who Needs ACA/AODA Compliance?

This matrix helps clarify if you are legally required to comply. If you do not have Canadian employees or are not federally regulated, ACA and AODA do not apply. If you have 20+ employees in Ontario, AODA compliance is mandatory, regardless of where your head office is located.

Realistic Scenarios: What Applies and How to Comply

• US SaaS with 25 staff in Toronto: This company must file an AODA compliance report by December 31, 2026. Requirements include a written accessibility policy, multi-year plan, staff training, accessible feedback process, and a public website meeting WCAG 2.0 AA. The simplest route is to use AccessibilityStatement.org for a signed compliance file (890 CAD/year), then have a senior officer file the report in Ontario’s portal.
• Chinese Amazon seller with no Canadian employees: No ACA or AODA obligations apply. No compliance action is needed, regardless of Canadian customers, as neither law applies without Canadian employees or federal regulation.
• UK online shop with 60 employees, 10 in Ontario: This company does not meet the AODA compliance report threshold (under 20 employees in Ontario), but must still meet basic AODA requirements for those 10 Ontario staff: written accessibility policy, staff training, and accessible feedback process. No report is required, but evidence should be maintained in case of inspection.

These scenarios illustrate the importance of counting employees correctly and understanding the jurisdictional reach of ACA and AODA. For multi-jurisdictional organizations, compliance may be needed in more than one region.