Ontario
AODA checklist for Ontario businesses
The next accessibility compliance report is due December 31, 2026. Tell us how many people you employ in Ontario, and work through the rules that apply to you. Your progress is saved in this browser.
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Saved in this browser only.
Your business
The rules depend on how many people you employ in Ontario. Your answer shows or hides the items below.
Feedback
Every Ontario business, whatever its size, needs a feedback process that people with disabilities can use.
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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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For example, product details in plain text or large print, or help over the phone. Provide them in a timely way and at no extra cost.
ontario.ca: O. Reg. 191/11, Integrated Accessibility Standards
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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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
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 the rules scale with your size.
| 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
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, 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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