Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005

What the law requires

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) sets out a goal of a fully accessible Ontario by 2025 — a deadline that has largely not been met, though the AODA remains the most detailed binding provincial accessibility legislation in Canada and has influenced accessibility law development across the country.

The AODA delegates the development of specific standards to Standards Development Committees. The key binding regulation is the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR), which covers:

Customer Service Standard: Organizations must be able to communicate with persons with disabilities in a manner that takes into account their disability. Staff must be trained on accessibility for customers with disabilities. Assistive devices, service animals, and support persons must be accommodated. Feedback processes must be accessible.

Information and Communications Standard: Organizations must make new internet and intranet websites and web content conform to WCAG 2.0 Level AA (with some exceptions). This applies to public sector and large private organizations (50+ employees) and represents the most significant digital accessibility legal requirement in Canada.

Employment Standard: Employers must notify employees and the public about availability of accommodation, provide individualized workplace accommodation plans, and create return-to-work processes for employees who acquire a disability.

Transportation Standard: Applies to transit authorities; covers accessible vehicles, stops, information, and services.

Built Environment Standard: Addresses accessibility in the design of new buildings and major renovations.

Compliance and reporting: Organizations with 20 or more employees must file accessibility compliance reports through the Ontario government portal every one to three years, depending on their size and sector. Filing inaccurate reports is an offence.

Who it protects

All Ontarians with disabilities, broadly defined to include any degree of physical disability, intellectual or developmental disability, mental disorder, hearing or vision impairment, learning disability, or any disorder affecting a major life activity.

Who must comply

All organizations with at least one employee in Ontario, including public sector (government, school boards, universities, hospitals), large private organizations (50+ employees), and small private organizations (1–49 employees). Requirements and deadlines vary by organization type and size.

What it does NOT cover (common misunderstandings)

The AODA does not apply outside Ontario. Organizations operating solely in other Canadian provinces are not bound by the AODA, though the AODA's standards are widely referenced as best practice.

The AODA's WCAG 2.0 AA requirement is based on the 2008 WCAG standard — WCAG 2.1 and 2.2 offer improvements, and many accessibility professionals now recommend targeting at least WCAG 2.1 AA.

The 2025 goal of full accessibility has not been achieved. Multiple independent reviews have found significant non-compliance, particularly among small and medium-sized businesses.

How to enforce your rights

• File a complaint with the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario (ADO)
• The ADO can conduct compliance reviews, audits, and impose orders and fines
• The maximum fine for contravening the AODA is $100,000 per day for corporations, $50,000 for individuals and unincorporated organizations

Recent updates

The 2019 "Advancing Accessibility in Ontario" report by David Onley highlighted widespread non-compliance and called for stronger enforcement. The government has been developing updated accessibility standards, including a review of the IASR. WCAG 2.1 is now widely recommended even though 2.0 remains the legal minimum. Other provinces including Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island have developed accessibility legislation informed by the AODA model.