New research from CSA Public Policy Centre identifies four strategies for a more effective approach to disability inclusion

Toronto, ON, July 20, 2023 – While an extensive policy architecture exists to promote equity, access and support for persons with disabilities in Canada, progress on meaningful disability inclusion continues to fall short. According to a new survey by the CSA Public Policy Centre, 88 per cent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that persons with disabilities face barriers to full and equal participation in Canadian society.

There is an urgent need for policy makers to weave a disability inclusion lens into all areas of policy making. Most people will experience disability at some point in their life. This includes roughly a third of Canadians who report living with a disability according to various estimates, the growing number of people who face new or worsening physical and mental health conditions as they age, and anyone who experiences temporary limitation, such as through injury.

The CSA Public Policy Centre’s new report, A Path Forward: Advancing Disability Inclusion in Canada, examines the issues facing Canadians living with disabilities and outlines four key strategies for how government leaders and policymakers can promote a truly barrier-free Canada:

These strategies include:

• Adopting a more holistic and human rights-based approach to disability inclusion.
• Focusing more on early intervention efforts within education systems.
• Building a stronger foundation for intergovernmental collaboration.
• Modernizing policy and programs to reflect the lived experience of Canadians with disabilities.

“We know that people with disabilities in Canada continue to face significant barriers that exclude them from parts of our society and limit their potential,” said Sunil Johal, Vice President, Public Policy, CSA Group. “If Canada is to reach its goal of being ‘barrier-free’ by 2040, we must rethink the way that we support those with disabilities.”

The report examines the impacts, both economic and social, of disability exclusion. Canadians with disabilities are more likely to have lower levels of educational attainment, are disproportionally represented among people living in poverty and are faced with widespread discrimination and human rights violations. Looking at the consequences of exclusion in relation to Canada’s struggling labour market, the report notes that an estimated 645,000 non-working persons with disabilities could potentially work if the labour market was more inclusive.

“With significant legislative developments from both federal and provincial governments, including the recently introduced Canada Disability Benefit, momentum is building to create lasting and meaningful change,” said Johal. “New programs could be life-changing for people with disabilities, but only if implemented carefully and once the complex and systemic barriers hindering progress have been addressed.”

To learn more and download A Path Forward: Advancing Disability Inclusion in Canada, visit CSA Group’s website.

About CSA Group
CSA Group is a global organization dedicated to safety, social good and sustainability. We are a leader in North American standards development and in product testing, inspection and certification around the world. Our mandate is to hold the future to a higher standard.

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