Creating accessible and inclusive workplaces is key to ensuring persons with disabilities can fully participate in the workforce. The federal government is committed to helping all Canadians succeed, regardless of their identity or ability, and to supporting employers in retaining employees with disabilities who have the talent needed to support the growth of Canadian businesses and our economy.
The Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, Kamal Khera participated in an event for the Disability Inclusion Business Council (DIBC), hosted by TD Bank. At the event, the Council released its final report titled, Bridging the Gap – Report on Disability Inclusion in Canadian Workplaces. The report, in addition to the creation and launch of the Canadian Business Disability Inclusion Network (the Network) on December 4, 2023, successfully completes the Council’s mandate.
The DIBC’s report sets out tangible advice and actionable recommendations for Canadian employers, the Network and the Government of Canada on what supports employers need for workplace inclusion. It examines topics such as workplace culture, inclusive design, accommodations, recruitment and career development, artificial and assistive technology, and measuring success.
In its report the DIBC recommends the Government of Canada:
- support employers by investing in skills training and employment for persons with disabilities, raising awareness and sharing best practices surrounding disability inclusion in the workplace; and,
- make improvements to workplace inclusion legislation and regulation.
- lead by example by removing barriers such as inaccessible hiring practices and interviews, delays in accommodations, and barriers to promotions.
The Government has already taken action to support the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the labour market through:
- introducing Canada’s first-ever Disability Inclusion Action Plan, with employment as one of its four key pillars and the launching the Employment Strategy for Canadians with Disabilities.
- funding over 7,700 projects through the Enabling Accessibility Fund and investing $220 million annually in the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities and Skills for Success programs to create more accessible communities and workplaces and support the hiring, retention, and career advancement of persons with disabilities.
- the ongoing implementation of the Accessible Canada Act, including establishing Accessibility Standards Canada with the mandate of developing national accessibility standards that can be adopted by any organization in Canada.
- the net new hiring of more than 4,000 persons with disabilities in the federal public service as of February 2024, as part of the goal to hire 5,000 employees with disabilities by 2025.
