Does the Accessible Canada Act apply to private companies?

Yes, the ACA applies to federally regulated private-sector organizations such as banks, telecommunications companies, broadcasters, and transportation providers that operate across provincial or international borders.

What are the penalties for not complying with the Accessible Canada Act?

Organizations that fail to comply with ACA standards may face complaints, financial penalties, or contract disqualification. The Accessible Canada Act allows for enforcement through inspections, compliance orders, and administrative monetary penalties.

What accessibility standards are used under the ACA?

Accessibility Standards Canada is responsible for developing ACA-related standards. While initially voluntary, they become legally binding once adopted in regulation. These standards often align with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

How does ACA compliance impact Canadian government contracts?

To be eligible for federal procurement opportunities, your organization must meet ACA accessibility requirements. Accessibility is increasingly a requirement in bids for digital services, websites, and IT products.

Can ACA compliance improve my organization’s search engine rankings?

Yes. Websites built with accessibility in mind often use SEO-friendly practices such as semantic HTML, proper use of headings, alt text for images, and meaningful link text—all of which support better visibility in search engine results.

Is WCAG 2.1 or 2.2 required for ACA compliance?

While the ACA references WCAG guidelines, it does not currently mandate a specific version. However, WCAG 2.1 AA is generally accepted as a best-practice benchmark in Canada and is expected to be part of future regulatory updates

Are intranet systems and internal platforms covered under ACA?

Yes, internal-facing platforms used by employees with disabilities must also be accessible. ACA applies to both public-facing and internal technologies to ensure equal access in the workplace and in service delivery.

What industries are most impacted by ACA digital accessibility requirements?

Industries under federal jurisdiction—such as transportation, broadcasting, banking, and telecommunications—are most directly affected. However, the Act also applies to federal government departments and Crown corporations.

What’s the difference between ACA and provincial laws like AODA?

The ACA is a federal law that applies across Canada to federally regulated entities. The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is a provincial law focused on organizations operating within Ontario.

The Accessible Canada Act (ACA)

What is the Accessible Canada Act (ACA)?

The Accessible Canada Act (ACA) is a landmark federal law introduced on June 20, 2018, and officially enacted on July 11, 2019. Its goal is to build a barrier-free Canada by January 1, 2040. by proactively identifying, removing, and preventing accessibility barriers across key sectors. These include employment, digital technology, communications, physical environments, service design, procurement, and transportation.

Organizations That Fall Under ACA Jurisdiction

The ACA applies to a wide range of federally regulated organizations and institutions. These include:

Canadian federal departments, Crown corporations, and government agencies
Private-sector organizations regulated by the federal government, such as telecommunications, banks, broadcasters, and transportation providers that cross provincial or international borders
Parliamentary entities, while respecting parliamentary privilege
National bodies such as the Canadian Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)

If your organization operates within these categories, you are legally required to comply with ACA accessibility standards.

Standards That Guide ACA Accessibility Requirements

The Accessible Canada Act established Accessibility Standards Canada, an organization responsible for developing, maintaining, and updating national accessibility standards. Although these standards begin as voluntary, once they are adopted through regulations, they become mandatory for organizations under the Act.

The ACA’s standards emphasize universal design and inclusive access across digital and physical domains, aligning closely with internationally recognized benchmarks such as WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).

Important ACA Milestones and Deadlines

Several key dates highlight the progression of the Accessible Canada Act:

• June 20, 2018 – ACA is introduced to Parliament

• June 21, 2019 – ACA receives Royal Assent

• July 11, 2019 – ACA takes legal effect and implementation begins

• January 1, 2040 – Target deadline for achieving a fully accessible and inclusive Canada

These milestones underscore the Canadian government’s long-term commitment to eliminating accessibility barriers.

Business Advantages of ACA Digital Accessibility Compliance

Complying with the Accessible Canada Act not only fulfills a legal requirement—it also creates meaningful business benefits. Digital accessibility strengthens your brand, widens your reach, and enhances the online experience for everyone.

Reaching a Broader Audience Through Inclusive Access

By making your website or application accessible, you open the door to users who rely on screen readers, voice navigation, keyboard-only controls, or other assistive technologies. This expands your potential customer base and improves engagement with underserved audiences.

Aligning With Ethical Business Practices

Accessibility compliance demonstrates a commitment to equity and inclusion. It reinforces your organization’s values and strengthens its social responsibility efforts.

Creating a More User-Friendly Experience

Accessible websites are easier to navigate, read, and interact with—resulting in better usability for all users, regardless of ability. Clear navigation, keyboard support, and well-structured content help reduce friction and improve engagement.

Reducing Legal Risks and Compliance Concerns

Meeting ACA requirements helps protect your organization from legal action, penalties, or contract disqualification. It also ensures your content and platforms are legally defensible in future audits or evaluations.

Building Trust and Brand Loyalty

A commitment to accessibility earns the trust of your users and stakeholders. When you prioritize inclusive design, you show customers that their needs matter—helping foster brand loyalty and positive word-of-mouth.

Gaining a Competitive Edge in Government and Private Sectors

Accessibility can set your brand apart from competitors. It’s a key factor in government procurement decisions and a growing priority for consumers and partners alike.

Improving Search Engine Optimization

Accessible websites often follow technical and structural best practices that improve search engine rankings. Features like semantic HTML, descriptive link text, and proper heading hierarchy boost visibility and traffic.

Preparing for Long-Term Success

By building accessible infrastructure today, your organization is better positioned to meet future accessibility laws and technology changes. It’s a sustainable investment that protects your digital assets over time.

Risks of Non-Compliance With the ACA

Failing to meet ACA accessibility standards can lead to serious consequences, including legal complaints, financial penalties, reputational harm, and missed contract opportunities. As more Canadians expect inclusive digital experiences, accessibility has become essential—not optional—for organizations looking to grow and compete.

How to Evaluate and Improve ACA Compliance

Achieving compliance with the ACA involves a structured, proactive approach that combines testing, remediation, and ongoing support.

Use Accessibility Scanning Tools

Start by scanning your website or digital product with reliable accessibility testing tools. This will help you identify basic barriers that may impact users with disabilities.

Conduct a Comprehensive Accessibility Audit

Go beyond automation with a manual audit conducted by accessibility professionals. This includes evaluating your navigation, content structure, media, forms, and interactive components against WCAG guidelines.

Fix Accessibility Violations Through Remediation

Address any identified issues through a remediation process. This may involve updating code, improving content semantics, or enhancing visual contrast to meet required standards.

Build Accessibility Into Your Workflow

Develop a framework based on ACA compliance checklists to ensure accessibility is considered from design to deployment. This includes content creation, development, and QA.

Supporting Your Path to ACA Compliance

Our accessibility experts can help your organization meet ACA requirements with tailored solutions, including:

In-depth website and document audits
Manual testing against WCAG success criteria
Code-level remediation by accessibility-focused developers
Consulting and training for design, dev, and content teams

Take the Next Step Toward ACA Compliance

If your organization is subject to the Accessible Canada Act, now is the time to make accessibility a core part of your digital strategy. Contact us today to learn how we can help you meet ACA standards and create a more inclusive, barrier-free experience for all users.