Each year on December 3, we recognize the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This is a day to raise awareness of disability issues and advance the rights, dignity, and well-being of people with disabilities.
As of 2022, 27 per cent of Canadians aged 15 years and older have a disability. That figure increased from 22 per cent in 2017, with the largest increase being for mental health-related disabilities.
In Canada:
- More than half of people with disabilities have at least one unmet need for disability supports, including aids and devices, prescription medication, and access to healthcare services.
- Adults aged 25 to 64 years with disabilities have significantly lower rates of employment than those without disabilities, even though almost half of those who are unemployed can work.
- More than one in four people with disabilities aged 16 and older were living in a food insecure household, according to a 2021 survey.
Canada Disability Benefit is inadequate
Recently, the federal government introduced the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) which, at $200 monthly, is woefully inadequate to keep people with disabilities out of poverty.
Many disability advocacy organizations and human rights groups have called on the government to improve the CDB.
CEIU supports the call to make the benefit easier to access and to increase the benefit to ensure people with disabilities do not have to live in poverty.
Federal public service is failing workers with disabilities
In the federal public service, employees with disabilities are still significantly under-represented in the workforce.
Employees with disabilities in the public service report facing many barriers, including:
- High rates of discrimination and harassment at work
- Difficulties in getting their accommodation needs met
- Challenges with supervisors making decisions based on personal bias, assumptions, and stereotypes.
- Difficulty in retaining positions or advancing in careers due to the impact of stigma.
CEIU is calling on our departments in the federal public service to:
- Make the accommodation process simpler and quicker
- Ensure all workplaces are accessible and employees have the tools and supports they need
- Ensure employees with disabilities are treated with dignity and respect
- Train all managers and supervisors on their legal duty to accommodate
- Take proactive steps to ensure a harassment and discrimination-free workplace.
What you can do
- Find out more and support an increase in the Canada Disability Benefit: use the hashtag #FundTheBenefit, visit https://www.fundthebenefit.ca/, and write to your MP
- Learn more:
- Council of Canadians with Disabilities
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