Empowering the Workforce: Canada’s New Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities
As someone living with Cerebral Palsy, I’ve experienced firsthand the challenges and barriers that individuals with disabilities face in securing and maintaining employment. That's why the recent announcement from the Government of Canada about the Employment Strategy for Canadians with Disabilities resonates deeply with me. This strategy is a monumental step toward creating a more inclusive and accessible workforce, aiming to close the employment gap by 2040.
A Commitment to Inclusion
The Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion, and Persons with Disabilities, unveiled this comprehensive plan designed to help individuals with disabilities find and maintain good jobs, advance in their careers, or even become entrepreneurs. This strategy aligns with the goals of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan and builds on the success of the Accessible Canada Act, which recently celebrated its 5th anniversary.
Key Goals of the Strategy
Supporting Individuals: Providing resources and support to help persons with disabilities secure and maintain employment, advance in their careers, or start their own businesses.
Empowering Employers: Encouraging businesses to diversify their workforces by creating inclusive and accessible workplaces.
Strengthening Enablers: Increasing the supply, capacity, and reach of organizations that support disability inclusion and accessibility in employment.
“Nonprofit organizations seemed more accepting of people with disabilities, which gave me a starting point. But I constantly worried about the future. How was I to find meaningful employment when the majority of workplaces required physical capabilities I couldn’t meet?”
Funding and Support Initiatives
To mark the strategy's launch, Minister Khera announced $6.5 million in funding under the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities. This funding will be distributed to seven organizations across Canada that work with Indigenous, Black, and racialized Canadians with disabilities, providing innovative and culturally relevant support to help increase access to training and improve employment outcomes.
Understanding the Need
The 2022 Canadian Survey on Disability revealed that 27% of Canadians aged 15 and older report having a disability that limits their daily activities. Among working-age Canadians with disabilities, 30.4% are not in the labour force, compared to 15.8% of those without disabilities. These statistics highlight the persistent barriers to employment that people with disabilities face, which the Employment Strategy aims to address.
A Personal Perspective
Starting my career in the nonprofit sector, I was fortunate to find secure employment. However, it wasn’t without its worries and struggles. Nonprofit organizations seemed more accepting of people with disabilities, which gave me a starting point. But I constantly worried about the future. How was I to find meaningful employment when the majority of workplaces required physical capabilities I couldn’t meet?
This concern about finding "accessible" employment remains with me to this day. I am very cognizant that should I be laid off from my current position, I would face the same difficulties that many other Albertans with disabilities encounter. The fear of not being able to find a job that accommodates my needs is a very real and persistent worry.
Why This Strategy Matters
The Employment Strategy for Canadians with Disabilities is crucial for the success and quality of life for Canadians with disabilities. It addresses the very real barriers we face in the job market and aims to create a more inclusive and equitable environment. By providing targeted support and resources, this strategy not only aims to improve employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities but also to strengthen our workforce and economy as a whole.
A Vision for 2040
By 2040, the Employment Strategy aims to close the employment gap between persons with disabilities and those without. This ambitious goal will be supported by various actions, including embedding employment supports for persons with disabilities across federal programs, encouraging a whole-of-government approach, and developing indicators in collaboration with the disability community to measure progress.
Call to Action for My Audience
For those of you seeking mentorship or navigating the job market with a disability, how have you found the process? What resources have been most helpful, and where do you still see gaps? Share your experiences in the comments below.
Parents, I know the future employment prospects for your children can be a significant concern. What worries do you have about your child's future in the workforce? How can strategies like this one better address those concerns?
Organizations, creating an inclusive workplace is more than a moral imperative—it’s a smart business decision. How can I assist you in making your workplace more accessible? Let’s discuss potential speaking engagements or consulting opportunities to help you navigate this important journey.
The launch of the Employment Strategy for Canadians with Disabilities is a milestone in our journey towards a more inclusive society. By providing targeted support and resources, this strategy not only aims to improve employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities but also to strengthen our workforce and economy as a whole. Let’s continue advocating for and supporting initiatives that promote inclusion and accessibility in all aspects of life.
For more information, visit the Employment Strategy for Canadians with Disabilities.
