Many Canadian organizations understand the basics of accessibility laws such as the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Accessible Canada Act (ACA). What has changed is how quickly accessibility expectations are shifting from awareness to accountability.
Across industries, organizations are accelerating accessibility efforts not because these laws are new, but because the operational and business risks of waiting have increased.
If you’re looking for a foundational overview of how Canadian accessibility laws apply to digital platforms, see our Canada AODA and ACA Compliance Guide.
This article outlines the key factors driving action now and why many teams are choosing to address accessibility proactively rather than reactively.
Accessibility Expectations Are Shifting From Policy to Proof
For years, accessibility was often treated as a future initiative or a one-time project. Today, organizations are increasingly expected to demonstrate active, ongoing accessibility efforts, not just intent.
Regulators, partners, and internal stakeholders are looking for:
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Documented accessibility testing and remediation
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Evidence that accessibility is maintained over time
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Clear ownership across digital teams
For organizations subject to AODA or ACA requirements, this shift means accessibility cannot live only in policy statements. It must be reflected in how digital platforms are designed, tested, and maintained.
Accessibility Complaints and Inquiries Create Immediate Timelines
Many organizations begin accessibility work only after receiving a complaint or inquiry. At that point, timelines often compress quickly.
Once an accessibility concern is raised, teams may need to:
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Assess multiple digital properties at once
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Identify and prioritize remediation efforts
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Coordinate across legal, IT, marketing, and product teams
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Respond with evidence of corrective action
Organizations that wait until this moment often face higher costs, rushed fixes, and internal strain, particularly if accessibility has not been built into existing workflows.
Recent research from UsableNet’s 2025 Midyear Accessibility Lawsuit Report shows that in the first half of 2025, plaintiffs filed over 2,000 digital accessibility lawsuits in U.S. federal and state courts — and if that pace continues, the year could exceed nearly 5,000 cases. These lawsuits typically target websites, mobile apps, and other digital experiences, underscoring how legal scrutiny of inaccessible digital properties continues to rise and why organizations prioritizing accessibility now position themselves to reduce risk.
Procurement and Vendor Reviews Are Raising Accessibility Requirements
Accessibility is now a more visible requirement in:
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Public-sector procurement
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Enterprise RFPs
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Vendor risk and compliance reviews
Organizations are increasingly asked to explain:
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How digital accessibility is tested
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Whether WCAG standards are used as a benchmark
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How accessibility is maintained after launch
Without a defined accessibility approach, these questions can delay decisions, introduce uncertainty, or trigger last-minute remediation work.
Digital Complexity Increases Accessibility Risk Over Time
Websites, mobile apps, customer portals, PDFs, and third-party tools all fall within the scope of digital accessibility expectations.
As digital ecosystems expand, accessibility gaps tend to multiply. What starts as a manageable set of issues can become significantly more complex if left unaddressed.
Many organizations are acting now to:
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Regain control over the accessibility scope
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Reduce long-term remediation effort
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Establish repeatable, sustainable processes instead of one-off fixes
For organizations operating in Ontario, this complexity is compounded by AODA requirements that apply to public, private, and nonprofit organizations and include specific expectations for accessible digital content under the Information and Communications Standards.
Global Accessibility Standards Are Converging Around WCAG
While accessibility laws are enforced at the national or regional level, many organizations are responding to a broader global shift toward consistent digital accessibility standards.
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) applies to products and services offered in the European Union and relies on WCAG-based requirements as its technical foundation. While the EAA does not apply to Canada-only organizations, it has influenced how global organizations approach accessibility planning across regions.
For Canadian organizations with international operations, shared digital platforms, or future expansion plans, aligning accessibility efforts now can help:
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Reduce the need for region-specific remediation later
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Support consistent digital experiences across markets
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Simplify governance by using WCAG as a common technical benchmark
Learn more about how global regulations are shaping accessibility planning in our European Accessibility Act (EAA) compliance overview
Why Proactive Accessibility Planning Reduces Long-Term Risk
Organizations that plan accessibility efforts in advance typically experience:
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More predictable timelines
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Better coordination across teams
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Clearer alignment with WCAG benchmarks
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Lower operational disruption
By contrast, reactive accessibility efforts are often driven by urgency rather than strategy, making them harder to manage and sustain.
How UsableNet Supports AODA and ACA Accessibility Efforts
UsableNet supports Canadian organizations at different stages of their accessibility journey, whether the goal is to address existing gaps, integrate testing into development workflows, or maintain long-term accessibility.
- UsableNet Assistive helps resolve accessibility issues efficiently while minimizing lift for internal teams.
- AQA enables ongoing accessibility testing by combining automated scanning with manual validation.
- Accessibility as a Service provides continuous audits, usability testing, and strategic guidance to support long-term accessibility goals.
Each approach is designed to help organizations move forward with clarity and confidence.
Next Steps for AODA and ACA Accessibility Readiness
Accessibility obligations under AODA and ACA are well established. What has changed is the expectation that organizations act, document, and maintain accessibility over time, often across multiple digital platforms and, in some cases, multiple jurisdictions.
Starting now allows teams to plan thoughtfully, reduce operational risk, and build accessibility into digital processes rather than responding under pressure.
Talk to an Accessibility Expert About Your AODA and ACA Readiness
