Skip to content
Menu
  • English Selected
  • Français

 

Header secondary

  • Sign up for eNews
  • Donate

Header

  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Our Programs
    • Leadership Team
    • Board Members and Committees
    • Donors
    • Annual Reports
    • 2021-23 Strategic Plan
    • FAQ
    • Work With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Champion's Circle
    Hero
    Passionate about accessibility? We need your help
    Get Involved
  • About Rick
    • About Rick
    • Rick's Story
    • Man In Motion World Tour
      • Man In Motion World Tour
      • The Dream
      • Tour Timeline
      • Tour Gallery
      • Tour Team
      • 35th Anniversary
    • Rick’s Work and Vision
    • A Conversation with Rick
    • Awards & Honours
    Hero
    Passionate about accessibility? We need your help
    Get Involved
  • Get Involved
    • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Legacy Giving
    • Fundraise
    • Help make Canada accessible
    • Everyone Everywhere
    • National AccessAbility Week
    Hero
    Passionate about accessibility? We need your help
    Get Involved
  • Become Accessible
    • Become Accessible
    • Rating & Certification 
      • Rating & Certification 
      • Rating Request Form
      • RHFAC FAQ
      • RHFAC v3.0
    • Professional Training
    • Ontario Complimentary Ratings
      • Ontario Complimentary Ratings
      • Complimentary Ratings FAQ
    • Accessibility Conference
    • Accessibility Resources
    • Accessibility Professional Network
      • Accessibility Professional Network
      • FAQ: Accessibility Professional Network
      • Login
      • RHFAC Professional Directory
    • Post an Accessibility Job
    • Accessibility Advisory Services
    • Buildings Without Barriers Challenge
    Hero
    Passionate about accessibility? We need your help
    Get Involved
  • Schools & Communities
    • Schools and Communities
    • Resource Library
    • Ambassador Presentations
      • Ambassador Presentations
      • Book a Presentation
      • About Our Ambassadors
    • Difference Maker Awards
      • Difference Maker Awards
      • Difference Maker Winners
    • Supplementary Resources
    • Our Partners
    Hero
    Passionate about accessibility? We need your help
    Get Involved
  • News & Stories
    • News & Stories
    • Blog
    • Media Centre
    • Newsletter
    • Disability Reports
    Hero
    Passionate about accessibility? We need your help
    Get Involved
  • Search

Breadcrumb

  1. Rick Hansen Foundation
  2. News & Stories
  3. Blog
  4. Currently selected Corporate Canada Has a Long Way to the Top for Accessibility
three men at a board room table, using hearing aids

Corporate Canada Has a Long Way to the Top for Accessibility

Rebecca Blissett By Rebecca Blissett On November 4, 2021 RHF News

New research released today confirms that the 1 in 5 Canadians living with disabilities still face significant barriers to employment.

A new national public opinion poll, conducted by the Angus Reid Institute (ARI) in partnership with the Rick Hansen Foundation (RHF), reveals corporate Canada has a long way to go to achieve accessibility in the workplace. The research report, titled Corporate Canada Gets Mixed Report Card from Canadians Living with Disabilities, shows that 40% of Canadians with disabilities say organizations fall short when hiring people with disabilities. This number increases to 55% for the 18 to 34-year-old age group.

The research report also outlines how Canadians are more likely to support organizations with specific Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies that focus on disability.

Some of the key findings in Canada's Report Card on Disability and Inclusion include:

  • 91% of Canadians say that it's unacceptable that people with disabilities are underemployed because of workplace barriers.
  • 78% of Canadians believe an organization's equity, diversity, and inclusion policies should include disability.
  • 62% of Canadians say they would be more likely to give their business to a company if they knew that they had specific policies to support people living with disabilities.

"It is no surprise that Canadians are more likely to give their business to companies that value diversity and inclusion," said Robin Silvester, Co-Chair, Presidents Group and President & CEO, Vancouver Port Authority. "Diverse workplaces that include people with disabilities are six times more likely to be innovative and six times more likely to effectively anticipate change."

The Business Case for Hiring People with Disabilities

While there is a strong business case for including people with disabilities as part of an organization's team, attitudinal barriers persist along with physical barriers. Misconceptions about hiring people with disabilities are harmful. For instance, some companies think there is a high cost to accommodate people with disabilities and that they are less productive than their colleagues.

This couldn't be further from the truth. People with disabilities tend to be innovative and creative problem-solvers out of necessity, from living in a world that wasn't built for disability.

"We all need to actively play a role in identifying and removing barriers to employing people with disabilities. Measure disability in your workplace to demonstrate a commitment to diversity, improve organizational culture, measure the success of diversity initiatives, and drive performance," said Silvester.

According to the Conference Board of Canada, improvements to workplace accessibility would allow 550,000 Canadians with physical disabilities to access work. This would significantly impact the economy as it could increase gross domestic product by $16.8 billion by 2030.

This is the call for corporate Canada to think outside the box, according to Doramy Ehling, RHF's CEO.

"By incorporating inclusive business practices, the corporate sector is guaranteed to tap a talent pool of potential employees. People with disabilities represent a vast source of talent, creativity, and potential," said Ehling. "Greater access to employment not only deepens the labour pool but can also give people with disabilities additional consumer clout."

There are some bright spots in corporate Canada's accessibility landscape that deserve mention, Ehling added. For example, Vancouver International Airport is regarded as one of the most accessible airports in the world after obtaining a Gold level rating from the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ (RHFAC) program. In 2018, SAP Labs Canada was the first business in Canada to receive the Accessibly Certified Gold rating under RHFAC. SAP's DE&I policies extended beyond accessibility in the built environment, focusing on hiring and supporting people living with autism. 

Other businesses leading by example include Ingenium, which oversees three national museums of science and innovation in Ottawa, Ontario. The corporation received Gold ratings for the Ingenium Centre and the Canada Science and Technology Museum.

group of professionally dressed people, using laptop on phone, with hearing aids at board room table

Canadians Care About Access

This past September, ARI revealed that nine in ten (92%) Canadians agree that taxpayer-funded projects should be held to the highest accessibility standards – a finding with important implications for post-pandemic infrastructure recovery projects. They also revealed that many Canadians (56%) prefer a priority on both environmental AND accessibility concerns and not one over the other.
 
Despite broad-based support for higher levels of accessibility and inclusivity, it's clear that many barriers continue to persist and that there remains much room for improvement across Canada so that people living with disabilities are included in the places where we live, work, learn, and play.
 
"It is clear that more needs to be done to increase the meaningful participation of Canadians with a disability in the workforce," said Marco Pasqua, a disability advocate and wheelchair user. "Even before addressing physical and systemic barriers, we need to look at the attitudinal barriers (both intentional or unconscious) that employers might have when it comes to hiring people with disabilities."

Added Pasqua: "We need more businesses to get on board, and there's no better time than now with the uptick in remote work and flexible workplace options."

Click here to view the 'Corporate Canada Gets Mixed Report Card from Canadians Living with Disabilities' research report in its entirety, or as an infographic showcasing key highlights. 

Related articles

Robin and Cathryn sitting beside each other and smiling at the camera. They are older adults. Robin has white hair, glasses and is wearing a suit with a red tie. Cathryn has grey hair and is wearing purple earrings and a purple and black dress.
Breaking the Sound Barriers
Shining a Spotlight on RHF’s Volunteers 
One Thing I’d Like You to Know about Living with Cerebral Palsy
Liz Bailey Connor of First West Credit Union stands for a photo, she is wearing a purple camisole and has blond curly shoulder length hair. In the background are the furniture and lighting in the building.
First West’s Journey Towards Increased Accessibility

About the Author

Rebecca Blissett is the writer for the Rick Hansen Foundation. She has been a storyteller through using the written word and photographs her entire adult life. Her experience in journalism gave her a deep appreciation for telling untold stories, particularly when it comes to people with disabilities. She is happy to be part of the movement to make Canada more accessible and inclusive.

Back to top

Next Story

Fall Reading List: Stories from Authors with Disabilities 
RHF By RHF
Read More

Stay in Touch

Receive Foundation emails to stay up-to-date on our impact and programs.

Contact Us

1-800-213-2131
info@rickhansen.com

Rick Hansen Foundation
300-3820 Cessna Drive
Richmond, BC
Canada V7B 0A2

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linkedin
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
Imagine Canada

The Standards Program Trustmark is a mark of Imagine Canada used under license by the Rick Hansen Foundation.

About Us - EN

  • About Us
  • Our Programs
  • Leadership Team
  • Board Members and Committees
  • Donors
  • Annual Reports
  • 2021-23 Strategic Plan
  • FAQ
  • Work With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Champion's Circle

About Rick - EN

  • About Rick
  • Rick's Story
  • Man In Motion World Tour
    • Man In Motion World Tour
    • The Dream
    • Tour Timeline
    • Tour Gallery
    • Tour Team
    • 35th Anniversary
  • Rick’s Work and Vision
  • A Conversation with Rick
  • Awards & Honours

Get Involved - EN

  • Get Involved
  • Donate
  • Legacy Giving
  • Fundraise
  • Help make Canada accessible
  • Everyone Everywhere
  • National AccessAbility Week

Become Accessible - EN

  • Become Accessible
  • Rating & Certification 
    • Rating & Certification 
    • Rating Request Form
    • RHFAC FAQ
    • RHFAC v3.0
  • Professional Training
  • Ontario Complimentary Ratings
    • Ontario Complimentary Ratings
    • Complimentary Ratings FAQ
  • Accessibility Conference
  • Accessibility Resources
  • Accessibility Professional Network
    • Accessibility Professional Network
    • FAQ: Accessibility Professional Network
    • Login
    • RHFAC Professional Directory
  • Post an Accessibility Job
  • Accessibility Advisory Services
  • Buildings Without Barriers Challenge

Schools & Communities - EN

  • Schools and Communities
  • Resource Library
  • Ambassador Presentations
    • Ambassador Presentations
    • Book a Presentation
    • About Our Ambassadors
  • Difference Maker Awards
    • Difference Maker Awards
    • Difference Maker Winners
  • Supplementary Resources
  • Our Partners

News & Stories - EN

  • News & Stories
  • Blog
  • Media Centre
  • Newsletter
  • Disability Reports

Legal

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Ethical Reporting Policy
  • Complaints Policy
  • Imagine Canada Certification
  • Accessibility Commitment
  • Diversity and Inclusion
Imagine Canada

The Standards Program Trustmark is a mark of Imagine Canada used under license by the Rick Hansen Foundation.

Charitable Registration Number: 10765 9427 RR 0001 © 2022 Rick Hansen Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

Back to Top
Hero

Our programs and initiatives work to create an accessible and inclusive world where people with disabilities can live to their full potential. 

Learn more
Hero

When Rick set out to wheel around the world in 1985, he had three missions: to raise awareness about the potential of people with disabilities, create accessible and inclusive communities, and find a cure.

Read more
Hero

Receive updates from RHF on the impact we’re making for people with disabilities across Canada.

Subscribe
Hero

Have your site rated and certified for meaningful access for people with physical disabilities. Make your community more welcoming and inclusive for all!

Get Started
Hero

Receive free educational resources that teach youth about the importance of access and inclusion.  

Learn more
Hero

Browse the latest stories about access and inclusion from Rick and our team of bloggers. 

Read our Blog