AODA Compliance for Ontario Municipalities: Why Now Is the Time to Act
Ontario municipalities are under growing pressure to ensure public-facing PDFs and
digital documents comply with AODA and ACA accessibility requirements. The deadlines
are real, enforcement is increasing, and there are practical tools that make it much easier.
Why AODA Compliance Matters Now
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Accessible Canada Act (ACA)
set clear expectations for digital accessibility. For municipalities, this goes far beyond websites
alone — it includes PDFs and other documents your citizens rely on every day.
One key requirement is that public content must be accessible to people with disabilities.
That includes aligning with WCAG 2.1 Level AA and PDF/UA standards
for digital documents and PDFs.
For municipalities, this means ensuring that bylaws, council meeting documents, building permit
forms, strategies, and more are fully accessible online. It’s not just about ticking a box —
it’s about ensuring all citizens can access and understand the documents that impact their lives.
- Bylaws and policy documents
- Council and committee agendas and minutes
- Building and planning forms
- Strategic plans and annual reports
- Public notices, guides, and brochures
If residents, businesses, or community partners need it, there’s a strong chance it must be
accessible under AODA.
Compliance Deadlines You Can’t Afford to Miss
The Ontario government has set firm expectations that all public sector organizations must
meet AODA requirements. While the original compliance deadline for many digital requirements
was January 1, 2021, enforcement is ongoing.
For municipalities still catching up, now is the time to act. As provincial and
federal governments ramp up accessibility audits, organizations that delay compliance may soon
find themselves under increased scrutiny.
Failure to comply with AODA can lead to serious repercussions:
- Fines: Administrative penalties up to $100,000 per day.
- Reputational damage: Public complaints and media attention.
- Legal risk: Individuals can file complaints with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.
The sooner you address accessibility, the less risk — and the less catch-up work — you’ll have
later.
How Accessibility on Demand (AoD) Helps Municipalities
Polar Imaging’s Accessibility on Demand (AoD) solution is designed specifically
for public sector organizations that need to meet AODA, ACA, and WCAG 2.1 requirements
without a heavy internal lift.
Here’s how AoD supports your municipality:
accessibility specialists.
✔ High compliance rate: Most documents achieve very high levels of compliance
automatically.
✔ Affordable: Pricing starts as low as 40¢ per page — ideal
for budget-conscious municipalities.
Municipal use cases
- Council meeting agendas & minutes
- Bylaw documentation
- Permit and licensing applications
- Strategic plans & annual reports
- Public notices, newsletters, and brochures
AoD lets you handle ongoing accessibility needs and backlogs in a consistent, scalable way —
without overwhelming staff.
Next Steps for Municipalities
Getting started doesn’t have to be complicated. A focused plan will help you build momentum
and demonstrate progress quickly.
-
Audit your current content: Identify inaccessible PDFs and web content,
especially items linked from your website and portals. -
Prioritize high-impact documents: Focus on public-facing forms, reports,
agendas, and content residents use most often. -
Request a demo of AoD: Let us show you how simple compliance can be using
an automated, credit-based model. -
Start with a pilot project: Test the process on a set of documents to build
internal confidence and validate the workflow.
It’s a commitment to inclusion and better service. When your PDFs and documents are accessible,
residents don’t have to request alternative formats or wait for assistance — they can access
what they need, when they need it.
With the right tools, municipalities can meet compliance standards while improving public
engagement and trust.
Let’s Make Ontario’s Digital Spaces Accessible to All
Polar Imaging is here to help municipalities modernize their PDF accessibility strategy with
Accessibility on Demand (AoD).
Contact us to learn more about AoD or to get started with a free demo.