- AODA Training Guide
AODA Compliance Cost: What an Accessibility Audit Costs in 2026
AODA compliance costs vary significantly depending on what you need to assess, how large your website is, whether you need a full organizational audit or website-only review, and how much remediation work follows the initial assessment. This page gives you realistic pricing ranges for each type of engagement.
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AODA compliance costs vary significantly depending on what you need to assess, how large your website is, whether you need a full organizational audit or a website-only review, and how much remediation work follows the initial assessment.
What drives the cost of an AODA compliance audit
Five factors determine how much a professional AODA audit costs. Understanding them helps you scope a project realistically and avoid overpaying for coverage you do not need.
1. Website size and complexity
The primary cost driver. A 10-page brochure website takes far less time to test than a 200-page e-commerce site with authenticated user flows and complex interactive components. Auditors typically quote by page count or by the number of distinct templates, not by the word count of each page.
2. Testing methodology
An automated-only scan costs less than a combined automated + manual + AT testing engagement. The latter produces a complete WCAG picture. For compliance purposes, a full methodology is required. For a development health check, automated scanning may be sufficient.
3. Scope of the audit
A website-only audit covers WCAG 2.0 Level AA for public-facing web content. A full AODA organizational audit also reviews accessibility policies, training records, employment practices, and compliance documentation. The organizational review adds cost but provides a complete compliance picture.
4. Remediation support
Some engagements include post-audit support: reviewing developer fixes, retesting resolved issues, advising on implementation approach. This adds cost but is valuable for organizations without in-house accessibility expertise. Remediation support is typically billed at a day rate rather than a fixed fee.
5. Auditor experience and location
Specialist accessibility auditors with IAAP credentials (WAS, CPACC) and demonstrated experience with professional AT testing typically charge more than generalist web developers. The premium is usually worth paying — a more experienced auditor finds more issues, documents them more usefully, and provides more actionable remediation guidance.
AODA compliance audit pricing: tier by tier
These ranges reflect typical Ontario market rates in 2026 for professional external audits. Internal audits cost staff time rather than consultant fees. Always request a scope-specific quote — these ranges are for planning purposes.
Remediation costs: what comes after the audit
The audit identifies what needs to be fixed. Remediation is the work of fixing it. Remediation costs depend on the volume and complexity of issues found, the technical makeup of your website, and whether your development team has accessibility experience.
As a rough guide: for a small business website with typical accessibility issues, remediation costs are often $2,000–$8,000 in developer and content time, depending on team rates and issue volume. For larger sites with significant technical debt, remediation can run to $20,000–$50,000+ for a full systematic fix. This makes the audit cost look modest by comparison.
- Accessibility Remediation: How to Fix WCAG Issues
How to evaluate an audit quote
Not all quotes are for the same thing. Before comparing prices, make sure you are comparing like for like. Here is what to check:
Internal audit vs external audit: cost comparison
Organizations with in-house developers or accessibility knowledge may consider conducting their own audits rather than commissioning external testing. Here is an honest comparison of what each approach costs.
- Third-Party AODA Audit: When You Need One
Frequently asked questions
How much does an AODA compliance audit cost for a small business?
- For a small business with a straightforward website of up to 20 pages, a full professional AODA website accessibility audit typically costs between $1,500 and $4,000. A full organizational audit — covering website, policies, training records, and employment practices — typically costs between $3,000 and $8,000. These are professional third-party audit costs. A free self-assessment using automated tools costs only staff time.
Why does accessibility audit pricing vary so much?
- The range reflects genuine differences in scope, methodology, and auditor expertise. An automated scan of five pages and a full manual + AT audit of a 50-page e-commerce site with authenticated user flows are both called ‘accessibility audits’ but are very different products. When comparing quotes, confirm exactly what testing methodology is included, how many pages are in scope, what the report covers, and whether retesting is included.
Is there a cheaper way to get AODA compliant?
- The compliance cost is mostly in fixing issues, not finding them. A free self-assessment using axe DevTools and WAVE gives you the most obviously detectable issues at no cost. Fixing those issues requires developer and content time regardless of who found them. A professional audit costs more upfront but finds the full range of issues — including the ones that matter most to disabled users — so remediation effort is directed correctly rather than leaving critical barriers unfixed.
Does AODA require us to pay for an accessibility audit?
- No. AODA requires compliance, not the commissioning of a specific type of audit. There is no legal requirement to hire an external auditor. However, the compliance report that organizations with 20 or more employees must file every three years is a legal declaration of compliance — and filing it without confidence in your compliance status is a legal risk. Most organizations commissioning an audit do so to be confident in their status before making that declaration.
What happens if we get an audit and then make changes to the website?
- The audit report reflects your website at the time of testing. New content, new pages, or code changes after the audit can introduce new accessibility issues. For active websites, this is why ongoing monitoring between formal audits is valuable. At minimum, build automated accessibility checks into your development and content publishing workflows so new issues are caught before they accumulate.
Can we spread the cost of remediation over time?
- Yes. Remediation does not have to happen all at once. Most audit reports include a prioritized remediation list — addressing critical issues first, then serious, then moderate. This allows organizations to fix the most significant barriers immediately and work through lower-priority issues over time. Documenting this phased approach is important: if an audit occurs during remediation, showing a prioritized remediation plan in progress demonstrates good-faith effort toward compliance.
Get a quote for your AODA compliance audit
Our AODA compliance audits are scoped to your organization’s size, website, and compliance obligations. We provide fixed-fee quotes after an initial consultation so you know exactly what testing covers and what the deliverable looks like before committing.
- Scoping call to confirm pages in scope, testing methodology, and report format
- Manual WCAG 2.0 Level AA testing by a trained accessibility specialist
- Prioritized issue report with WCAG references, severity ratings, screenshots, and fix guidance
- Automated scanning with axe and WAVE
- Screen reader testing with NVDA (Firefox) and VoiceOver (Safari)
- One follow-up call to walk your team through findings
