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If you run a small business in Ontario with a website, you have probably heard that the site needs to be 'AODA compliant' without anyone explaining what that actually means, whether it applies to you, or what to do about it. This guide answers those questions plainly: what the law requires, who it covers, what a professional accessibility audit examines, and what happens after. One important note upfront: this is general information about the legislation, not legal advice. Accessibility obligations depend on your specific situation, so consult a lawyer if you need a definitive answer about your business.
Does the AODA actually apply to your business?
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act sets requirements through its Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation, and the website rules apply based on organization type and size. The key thresholds for private businesses and non-profits are based on employee count in Ontario. Organizations with fewer than 20 employees are generally exempt from filing an accessibility compliance report, although other AODA requirements still apply. Organizations with 20 to 49 employees must file a compliance report, with the next deadline on December 31, 2026, but the specific website accessibility requirement generally does not apply at that size. Organizations with 50 or more employees must both file and meet additional requirements, including accessible public websites and web content. Designated public sector organizations follow separate rules with their own timelines. Because counting rules have nuances, such as which workers count toward the total, verify your category against the Government of Ontario's current guidance rather than guessing.
What the law requires of covered websites
For organizations subject to the website rules, the standard is conformance with WCAG 2.0 Level AA, the internationally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, with two specific exclusions for live captions and pre-recorded audio descriptions. The deadline for all websites and web content to meet this standard was January 1, 2021, which has already passed. In practical terms, Level AA covers things like keyboard navigability, sufficient colour contrast between text and backgrounds, alternative text for meaningful images, accessible forms with clear error messages, logical heading structure, captions on pre-recorded video, and content that works with assistive technologies such as screen readers. Note that December 31, 2026 is a reporting deadline for many organizations, not a new deadline for making websites accessible; if the rules apply to you, the website obligation is already in effect.
Why smaller businesses audit anyway
Even where the website requirement does not strictly apply, many Ontario small businesses commission audits voluntarily, for sound reasons. An inaccessible site turns away customers: people with disabilities encounter barriers, and so do aging users, mobile users in bright sunlight, and anyone with a temporary injury. Accessibility improvements also tend to improve search visibility and overall usability, since clear structure, good contrast, and descriptive text help everyone. And for businesses approaching the 50-employee threshold or bidding on contracts with larger organizations and public bodies, being able to demonstrate an accessible site removes friction before it appears.
What a professional accessibility audit covers
A proper audit is not a single automated scan, although scanning is part of it. Expect three layers. First, automated testing across your key pages catches machine-detectable issues: missing alternative text, contrast failures, empty form labels, and structural problems. Second, manual testing by a knowledgeable reviewer covers what tools miss: navigating the entire site by keyboard alone, testing with a screen reader, checking focus indicators, verifying that error messages make sense, and confirming that interactive elements behave predictably. Third, a review of templates and components, since most small business sites repeat the same header, navigation, and form patterns everywhere, fixing the pattern fixes dozens of pages at once. Be sceptical of anyone selling a one-click scan as a complete audit; automated tools typically catch only a fraction of real barriers. For the broader context of building compliant sites, see our pillar guide to AODA-compliant websites for Ontario small businesses.
What you receive after the audit
The deliverable should be a findings report written for decision-makers, not just developers. Each issue should be described in plain language, mapped to the relevant WCAG success criterion, rated by severity and user impact, and paired with a concrete remediation recommendation. Good reports prioritize: critical barriers that block users entirely come first, followed by significant issues, then minor improvements. The report should also distinguish quick wins, such as adding alternative text or fixing colour contrast, from structural work like rebuilding navigation or forms. Ask for an executive summary you can share with stakeholders who will never read the technical detail.
What happens after the audit
An audit without remediation is just an expensive document. Work through the findings in priority order, starting with the templates and components that repeat across the site, since those fixes have the highest leverage. Retest after remediation to confirm the issues are actually resolved; accessibility work that is never verified has a way of being half done. Then put maintenance in place: every new page, plugin, or redesign can reintroduce barriers, so build basic accessibility checks into your content and update processes. If the findings are extensive, compare the cost of fixing against rebuilding; our guide to website accessibility remediation costs in Ontario walks through typical ranges to help you decide. Where ongoing development help is useful, our website development service includes accessibility audits and remediation.
Frequently asked questions
My business has fewer than 20 employees. Do I need to do anything?
The website accessibility requirement and compliance reporting generally do not apply at that size, but other AODA obligations, such as accessible customer service practices, still do. Many small businesses still choose to make their sites accessible because it is good business and removes future risk. Confirm your situation with current government guidance or a lawyer.
What is the December 31, 2026 deadline I keep hearing about?
That is the accessibility compliance reporting deadline for businesses and non-profits with 20 or more employees, filed every three years. It is not a new deadline for making websites accessible; for organizations covered by the website rules, that obligation dates to January 1, 2021.
Can an automated tool certify my site as compliant?
No. Automated tools are useful for finding a subset of issues, but they cannot evaluate meaning, context, or the actual experience of using assistive technology. No tool can certify legal compliance, and vendors claiming otherwise should be treated with scepticism.
How long does an audit take?
For a typical small business site, expect one to three weeks from kickoff to report, depending on the number of unique page templates and how the findings are prioritized. Larger or more complex sites take longer.
An accessibility audit turns a vague worry into a concrete, prioritized plan. Whether the law strictly requires it of you or you simply want a site every customer can use, knowing exactly where you stand is the necessary first step. Get a free quote and we will scope an audit for your site and give you a straight answer on what it would involve.