Cost of a Canadian Accessibility Compliance Audit for Websites in 2026: Comparative and Practical Guide

• The AODA report is mandatory for businesses/nonprofits with 20+ employees in Ontario
• Web audit price: from 890 CAD (AccessibilityStatement.org, 2026)
• Included services vary greatly by provider (number of pages, support, fixes)
• No company can file the report on your behalf: self-declaration by an executive
• Fines up to 100,000 CAD/day for non-compliance (AODA)
• Beware of hidden fees and exclusions depending on offers

Updated 4 November 2026 · 9 sources checked

Providers compared

Prices as published on each provider's website on 4 November 2026, excluding VAT unless stated. Each row links to its source.

What the AODA Law Requires for Web Compliance (with Articles)

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) aims to make the province accessible to everyone by 2025. It requires private businesses and nonprofits with 20 or more employees in Ontario to file a compliance report every three years (O. Reg. 191/11). The next report is due by December 31, 2026. This report must be signed by an organization executive and submitted via the official government portal (source).

For websites, the regulation specifies that any organization with 50 or more employees must ensure its public web content complies with WCAG 2.0 level AA, except for live captions and prerecorded audio description criteria. This includes not only the homepage but all documents, forms, subdomains, and booking systems operating under the organization's brand (source).

• Reporting obligation: businesses/nonprofits with 20+ employees (O. Reg. 191/11)
• Web standard: WCAG 2.0 AA for 50+ employees
• Sanctions: up to 100,000 CAD/day for the organization, 50,000 CAD/day for executives (source)
• Self-declaration: no provider can file the report on your behalf

It is important to note that even organizations with fewer than 20 employees must comply with certain standards (policy, plan if 50+), but are not required to file the report (source).

Non-compliance risks are significant: financial penalties, administrative audits, and exposure to customer or user complaints. The law also provides fines for false declarations, obstruction, or failure to comply with orders (source).

How to Choose an AODA Audit Provider: Key Criteria and Comparison

Choosing an AODA audit provider depends on several factors: your site's size, the complexity of user journeys, the expected report detail level, the need for a locally signed file, and the ability to provide support or fixes.

• Audit scope: Some providers limit the number of pages (e.g., AODA Shield up to 5 or 20 pages), others offer an annual package with no limit (AccessibilityStatement.org).
• Test types: Audits can include automated, manual, user tests, or interviews (Easy Surf Collective Corp. offers user testing for full audits).
• Deliverables: Detailed report, action plan, signed declaration, developer guide, VPAT (CodexMotive, Auditable Accessibility Audits).
• Support and follow-up: Some include monitoring (CodexMotive: 3 months included), others charge per re-test or fix.
• Localization: For the AODA report, having a file signed by an Ontario-based entity can be useful (required by some clients).

Here is a comparison table of inclusions, exclusions, and additional fees:

To choose, list your needs: number of pages, VPAT requirement, follow-up, fixes, or simple compliance file. Always request a detailed quote and compare exclusions.

What the Price of a Canadian Web Compliance Audit Includes: Detailed Analysis

The price of a Canadian web compliance audit varies by provider, site size, report detail level, and additional services. Generally, offers cover:

• Technical site audit: Automated and manual site analysis, WCAG compliance check (version 2.0, 2.1 or 2.2 depending on provider).
• Compliance report or action plan: Gap details, recommendations, fix prioritization, sometimes a "Fix Now, Fix Next, Plan for Later" plan (Cheeky Monkey Media).
• Signed declaration: Provided by some providers (AccessibilityStatement.org, Auditable Accessibility Audits), useful as proof in audits.
• Support or follow-up: Variable: some include a few months of assistance, others charge per re-test or fix.
• Additional documents: VPAT/ACR (CodexMotive, Auditable), developer guide (AODA Shield), training (on request).

Concrete example: AccessibilityStatement.org offers an annual package at 890 CAD including WCAG 2.2 AA test, compliance file signed in Ontario, policy, plan, support, unlimited pages and no re-test cost. AODA Shield charges 899 CAD for an audit up to 5 pages, 1,199 CAD up to 20 pages, with fix option and developer guide. CodexMotive offers an "AODA Check" at 950 CAD for one user journey (5 pages), or a full audit at 4,500 CAD (15 templates, VPAT, re-test, 3 months follow-up).

The choice depends on scope, need for formal proof, and desired level of support.

Hidden Fees and Common Exclusions: What Providers Don’t Always Tell You

Hidden fees are common in this sector. Key points to watch out for:

• Per-page or per re-test billing: Some providers show a base price for a limited number of pages (e.g., AODA Shield, Auditable), then charge for each extra page or re-test.
• Fixes not included: The audit may not include code fixes. At AODA Shield, fixes are a paid option ("Audit + Fix" at 1,999 CAD for 5 pages).
• Limited support: Post-audit follow-up (re-tests, developer support, monitoring) may be time-limited or paid (CodexMotive: 3 months included, then quoted).
• Restricted deliverables: Some reports cover only a site sample or don’t provide a signed declaration (e.g., Cheeky Monkey Media).
• Limited liability: Most providers limit liability to delivering the report. None handle official report filing, which remains a mandatory self-declaration.

Summary table:

Before signing, ask: number of pages included, cost of re-tests, deliverables nature, and liability exclusions.

How the Service Works: Key Steps, Checklist and Practical Tips

The process to obtain and use an AODA compliance audit is structured in several steps. Here is a step-by-step guide with a practical checklist:

1. Verify your obligation: Count your employees in Ontario (including part-time and seasonal). If you have 20+ employees, the report is mandatory. If 50+, WCAG 2.0 AA web compliance applies.
2. Select a provider: Compare offers based on page count, test type (manual/automated), signed declaration presence, support, and provider location.
3. Request a detailed quote: Specify your site size, needs (VPAT, follow-up, fixes), and check exclusions/hidden fees.
4. Provide site access: Front-end access, test accounts, documents, etc.
5. The audit is conducted: Technical tests, manual analysis, possibly user tests or interviews.
6. Receive the report: Detailed report, action plan, signed declaration (if included), developer guide or VPAT depending on offer.
7. Fix gaps: Done internally or via provider if option chosen.
8. Sign and file the report: The organization’s executive completes and signs the official report on the government portal (source).
9. Archive: Keep all documents, proof of fixes, policies, and plans to respond to any audit or complaint.

Quick checklist:

1. Count your employees in Ontario
2. Identify applicable WCAG version
3. Request 2–3 quotes
4. Check exclusions/hidden fees
5. Have the audit performed
6. Fix gaps
7. File the report before December 31, 2026
8. Keep all documents

Responsibility table:

Risks, Sanctions and Audits: What You Really Risk

Non-compliance with AODA exposes you to major financial and reputational risks. The law’s sanctions are among the highest in Canada: up to 100,000 CAD per day for the organization and 50,000 CAD/day for executives (source). These fines can be applied for:

• Failure to file the compliance report
• False or misleading declarations
• Non-compliance with accessibility standards (WCAG 2.0 AA for web)
• Obstruction of an audit
• Penalizing an employee who cooperated with an inspector

In practice, the most common risk is a complaint from a user or client facing an accessibility barrier (e.g., inaccessible recruitment form, unreadable PDF). In case of complaint, the organization must prove compliance: an externally signed audit file, proof of fixes, and up-to-date policies are key to defend itself.

The AODA report is a self-declaration and is not verified upon submission. However, any declaration can be audited afterward, and the law provides sanctions for false declarations or lack of proof. Audits may also occur during public tenders, where a signed audit file is often required.

Risk summary:

• Heavy financial fines
• Obligation to fix within deadlines
• Loss of public or private contracts
• Damage to reputation

Quick Decision: Who Needs an AODA Audit? (Decision Matrix)

The need for an AODA audit depends on your organization's size, employee location, and website nature. Here is a quick decision matrix:

Examples:

• An American SaaS with 25 employees in Toronto: audit and report mandatory.
• A Chinese seller on Amazon.ca without own website: no obligation.
• A British shop with 10 employees in Ontario: must comply with standards, no report filing required.

Realistic Scenarios: Obligations and Solutions Based on Your Case

To better understand how AODA obligations apply, here are three realistic scenarios based on official data:

• American SaaS with 25 employees in Toronto: This company must file an AODA report before December 31, 2026. If it has 50+ employees, its public site must comply with WCAG 2.0 AA. It can choose an Ontario-based provider for a locally signed file (e.g., AccessibilityStatement.org), have its site audited, then file the official report via its Canadian executive.
• Chinese seller on Amazon.ca without own website: No audit or AODA report required, as it has no employees in Ontario nor a website under its brand. It is not subject to AODA legislation.
• British online shop with 10 employees in Ontario: Must comply with AODA standards (policy, accessibility, plan if 50+), but no report filing or mandatory external audit. An audit may still be useful to anticipate growth or respond to tenders.

In all cases, it is advisable to keep a written record of the compliance analysis, even if not formally required by law, to respond to any future requests or audits.