Canada’s ACA Digital Accessibility Deadlines: What to Do Now

Canada’s new Digital Technologies Accessibility Regulations under the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) introduce specific technical requirements for websites, mobile apps, software, and digital documents.

Federally regulated organizations must meet WCAG-aligned standards and begin complying with phased deadlines starting in 2027. Teams should assess and remediate accessibility gaps now to avoid last-minute risk.

What changed in Canada’s accessibility laws?

Canada now has explicit digital accessibility requirements, not just planning obligations.

The new ACA regulations focus directly on digital technologies and require organizations to demonstrate measurable compliance.

This shifts accessibility from:

• policies and reporting

to:

• technical standards
• testing
• documentation
• ongoing maintenance

What digital content is covered?

The regulations apply to:

• Websites
• Mobile applications
• Software platforms
• Digital documents (PDFs, forms, reports)

If users interact with it digitally, it likely falls within scope.

What standard is used to measure compliance?

Digital accessibility in Canada is primarily measured against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

The federal government also references the CAN/ASC-EN 301 549 ICT Standard, developed by Accessibility Standards Canada, which incorporates WCAG requirements.

In practice, meeting WCAG is the clearest path to compliance.

For more on how WCAG connects to Ontario requirements, see
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act: Everything You Need to Know

Who must comply with the ACA?

The ACA applies to federally regulated organizations across Canada, including:

• Federal government departments
• Crown corporations
• Banks and financial institutions
• Telecommunications providers
• Transportation services

Some organizations must comply with both ACA and provincial laws such as the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

Learn how the two laws overlap: Canada AODA and ACA Compliance: A Practical Accessibility Guide

When are the compliance deadlines?

Deadlines are phased:

• Federal public sector: beginning in 2027
• Federally regulated private sector: additional obligations through 2028

Accessibility remediation takes time. Many organizations need 12–24 months to assess systems, fix barriers, and implement ongoing processes.

Starting early reduces risk and cost.

More on timing and urgency: AODA and ACA Compliance in Canada: Why Organizations Are Acting Now

What do organizations need to do?

Most teams prepare by:

1. Conducting an accessibility audit
2. Identifying gaps against WCAG
3. Prioritizing remediation
4. Publishing accessibility documentation
5. Implementing ongoing monitoring
6. Training staff

Accessibility is expected to be continuous, not a one-time project.

Where can I learn more about Canadian compliance?

For a complete overview of AODA, ACA, and practical next steps, visit:  Canadian Digital Accessibility Law Resource Hub

How UsableNet helps

UsableNet supports Canadian organizations with:

• Accessibility audits and gap analyses
• WCAG-aligned remediation
• Continuous monitoring and reporting
• Fully managed accessibility services

Our goal is simple: help teams meet compliance requirements and maintain accessible digital experiences over time.