Executive Summary

Most people will experience disability at some point in their life. This includes the 22% of Canadians who reported living with a disability in the latest Canadian Survey on Disability in 2017 (more recent analysis suggests the number is over 30%), the growing number of people who face new or worsening physical and mental health conditions as they age, and anyone who experiences temporary functional limitation, such as through injury. Yet despite the broad scope of impacts, progress on meaningful disability inclusion remains elusive.

While an extensive policy architecture exists to promote equity, access, and support for persons with disabilities, these efforts continue to fall short of real need. A CSA Public Policy Centre survey found that 88% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that persons with disabilities face barriers to full and equal participation in Canadian society. If Canada is to meet its ambitious goal of becoming ‘barrier-free’ by 2040, a new approach is urgently needed.

This report reviews several interrelated and systemic barriers that contribute to the status quo, including the narrow way disability is often defined, inadequate support systems, and fragmented policy and regulatory regimes. The report also outlines four specific policy pathways towards ensuring a disability inclusive future for consideration including:

• Developing a holistic and rights-based approach to disability inclusion
• A greater focus on early intervention efforts within the education system
• Enhancing intergovernmental cooperation
• Modernizing policy and programs to reflect the lived experience of persons with disabilities.

The French version of the report will be available in early August 2023.