#REIMAGINEEMPLOYABILITY

Know The Facts Resources For Employers Resources For Job Seekers

People living with disabilities often face many barriers when trying to enter the workforce. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes these barriers to employment as “Factors in a person’s environment that, through their absence or presence, limit functioning and create disability.”

According to the CDC, common barriers that people with disabilities face when trying to enter the workforce include:

Attitudinal Barriers (prejudice, stigma & stereotyping).
Communication Barriers (lack of communication procedures for people who experience difficulties with hearing, speaking, reading, writing, etc.).
Physical Barriers (structural obstacles that prevent or block mobility).
Policy Barriers (lack of awareness or enforcement of existing laws and regulations).
Social Barriers (barriers related to the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, learn, work and age).
Transportation Barriers (lack of access to accessible or convenient transportation).

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates that it is possible for companies to adjust working conditions/environments, to suit unique needs, quickly and effectively. We urge all employers to #ReimagineEmployability and to continue to adjust working conditions/environment to meet the needs of employees, of ALL abilities, past the pandemic.

“Improvements to workplace access would allow 550,000 Canadians with disabilities to work more, increasing GDP by $16.8 billion by 2030.”

– Conference Board of Canada

KNOW THE FACTS

We’ve highlighted some of the key facts, figures and statistics regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in Canada. You can download the full fact sheet here.

An estimated one in five Canadians (or 6.2 million) aged 15 years and over have one or more disabilities that limit them in their daily activities.¹

In a study of small businesses that have hired employees with a disability, 77% said these employees either met or exceeded their expectations.²

Only 20% of people with disabilities require any special installations in the workplace and more than half of those who do were able to get custom installations for less than $1000.³

An estimated 59% of working-age adults with disabilities are employed. The employment rate is significantly higher amoung persons with no disabilities (80%).¹

Persons with very severe disabilities are two-and a-half times less likely to be employed than those with mild disabilities.¹

Sources:

Statistics Canada Disability Demographic Report (2017). 2. More than Half of Small Businesses Have Never Hired a Person with a Disability (2012). 3. Benefits of Hiring Employees with Disabilities (2018). 4. Four in 10 Small Business Owners Hiring People With Disabilities (2013). 5. Canadians Believe People with Disabilities Are Victims of Hiring Bias (2012). 6. The Business Case to Build Physically Accessible Environments (2018).

CALL OUT TO EMPLOYERS

If you are an employer, HR manager, or business owner who is looking to hire and welcoming of applications from candidates who may be living with disabilities, and interested in taking steps to create a more accessible and inclusive work environment, send us your job postings and we will circulate them among our networks to help you find the right hire for your organization.

Email us at partnerships@easterseals.ca

RESOURCES FOR EMPLOYERS

We have gathered a collection of resources, studies and articles to help educate employers about accommodating employees with disabilities and how to create an inclusive and accessible work environment for all.

Toolkits, financial support and advice for inclusive employers
The Government of Canada has a digital hub designed to help inclusive employers hire persons with disabilities. The hub includes a toolkit for creating an inclusive workplace, links to financial support and hiring support, and information on why hiring people with disabilities makes good business sense. Visit the Government of Canada’s Hiring Persons With Disabilities website here.
Recruit people with disabilities
Employers can advertise jobs for free on Job Bank and market them specifically to persons with disabilities looking for work. Find out more about hiring people with disabilities at Job Bank Canada.
Accommodation in the Nonprofit Workplace (Charity Village)
Accommodating Non-Visible Disabilities (The Conference Board of Canada)
Developing Individual Accommodation Plans for Employees with Disabilities (The Conference Board of Canada)
Federal Disability Reference Guide
Developed primarily to guide federal programs, policies and services, the Disability Reference Guide can be a guide for other public employers and policymakers. It can also be useful for private employers seeking to create more inclusive workplaces, products and services for clients. View the Federal Disability Reference Guide here.

Research Studies & Provincial Resources:

Here is a collection research studies and provincial government resources that explore the benefits of accessibility & inclusion in the workplace and steps required to create an accessible & inclusive work environment.

Research on Accessibility and Inclusion

Provincial Resources for Accessible Workplaces, Inclusive Hiring

In The News:

We’ve curated a collection of media articles, that discuss how accessibility for all, in the workplace, is easily achievable and highly beneficial for employers/companies as well as their employees.

Articles about accessible workplaces

LEARN MORE: Tap into research on professionals living with disabilities, inclusive employment and workplaces

Webinar: What does Disability Inclusion Bring to the Workplace?

Have a listen to the webinar, What Does Disability Inclusion Bring to the Workplace, which covers preliminary results from qualitative research conducted by the Proud Project at the University of Toronto Scarborough in a study that seeks to understand the conditions that foster the integration of qualified adults living with disabilities in the workplace. The research focuses on success stories of employees living with physical disabilities, through interviews with the employees themselves, their employers and co-workers and aims to develop a guide or “best practices” for inclusive employment through the research.

Watch Webinar: Disability Inclusion in the Workplace

BroadcastAbility Podcasts

The BroadcastAbility Podcasts is a series of interviews by persons with disabilities about inclusive employment and workplaces. The podcasts are a collaboration between Easter Seals Canada and researchers from the PROUD Project at the University of Toronto.

The first episode of the BroadcastAbility podcast series features an interview with Taylor Lindsay-Noel, a successful young entrepreneur and founder of a luxury tea brand that has been featured in O, The Oprah magazine. She talks about her life journey, diversity in workplaces and more.

Check out the BroadcastAbility podcast series

RESOURCES FOR JOB SEEKERS

Canadian work programs that are inclusive of persons living with disabilities.

RBC Future Launch Scholarship
The RBC Future Launch Scholarship is a skills focused scholarship program that is open to any Canadian youth/young adults (aged 15 – 29) who are either currently NOT enrolled in school or only studying part-time, but have a desire to learn something new and build their skills.

Click this link to learn more about the RBC Future Launch Scholarship.
Federal Student Work Experience Program
The Federal Student Work Experience Program offers young adults in Canada paid employment opportunities with the Federal Government. The program is also inclusive of young people who are/identify as living with a disability.

Learn more about the Federal Student Work Experience Program here.
Job Bank Canada
Job Bank Canada has services on its website dedicated to job seekers living with disabilities. Users can use the Job Match service, can seek for jobs specifically targetted to persons with disabilities and subscribe to alerts for new jobs. Click here to visit the Job Seekers with Disabilities section of Job Bank Canada.

Job Bank Canada also has an excellent Summer Jobs Program that helps create quality jobs for young Canadians (15 – 30 years). The program offers inclusive job opportunities that aim to develop workplace experience and skills. Visit the Job Bank for Youth here.
Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work
The Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW) is a national not-for-profit organization that provides support services for individuals with disabilities who are seeking employment as well as resources for those who are currently employed. Learn more about the CCRW’s services for job seekers with disabilities here.
Enabling Accessibility Fund
The Enabling Accessibility Fund provides funding for projects that make Canadian communities and workplaces more accessible for persons with disabilities. The fund aims to create more opportunities for persons with disabilities to take part in community activities, programs and services or access employment.

The youth innovation component of the Enabling Accessibility Fund is accepting applications until October 29, 2021.
Discover Ability Network
Funded by the Government of Ontario and powered by Magnet, a data-rich, job-matching technology platform. Discover Ability is a free online portal and resource that connects Ontario businesses directly to people with disabilities.
Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN)
The Ontario Disability Employment Network is a professional body of employment service providers united to increase employment opportunities for people who have a disability. Click here to learn more about the Ontario Disability Employment Network.
Work BC
WorkBC is the provincial government’s access point to the world of work in British Columbia. It was created with one key goal – to help all British Columbians to successfully navigate B.C.’s labour market. You can access WorkBC here.
Government of Alberta
The Government of Alberta’s Disability Related Employment program provides support to help people with disabilities succeed in school and find rewarding careers. Learn about Alberta’s Disability Related Employment Supports here.

Easter Seals: Job/Skills Training & Employment Programs

Easter Seals provides a variety of job training programs and employment services, across Canada, that help people living with disabilities find meaningful employment.

THE HORIZONS PROGRAM

The Horizons Program, offered by Easter Seals Newfoundland & Labrador, provides comprehensive skill enhancement and work experience to youth and adults living with disabilities. Participants of the program develop important workplace skills that facilitate personal growth and independence, enabling them to compete for meaningful employment opportunities. Learn More…

NEW LEAF ENTERPRISES PROGRAM

The New Leaf Enterprises Program, offered by Easter Seals Nova Scotia, provides a wide variety of workplace skill development opportunities for Canadians living with disabilities. The program takes place in a collaborative and social environment. Learn More…

COMPASS PROGRAM

The Compass Program, offered by Easter Seals British Columbia/Yukon, offers persons with disabilities an opportunity to develop a personal roadmap to employment in British Columbia and Yukon. The program is designed to help address industry labour shortages and ensure youth and young adults with diverse abilities have access to these employment opportunities. Learn More…

PARTNERS IN EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM

The Partner in Employment Program, offered by Easter Seals Saskatchewan – SaskAbilities, provides supported employment services that assist both job seekers with hidden and visible disabilities and employers. Learn More…

RBC 21ST CENTURY SKILLS & LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

In April 2019, Easter Seals announced a partnership with the RBC Foundation to empower youth who are living with disabilities for future success in life and the workplace. The Easter Seals – RBC 21^st Century Skills and Leadership Program will provide youth with opportunities to participate in skills development and training, coaching, mentoring, work placements and volunteer activities in five provinces. Learn More…

Find Easter Seals in your province Learn more about other Programs and Services Stories and testimonials from participants