Jessica Marcotte; Employment Consultant with Build ON
In Canada many laws and policies exist to protect people during the hiring process and in the workplace against discrimination. Specifically, protection through the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the Employment Equity Act, the Ontario Human Rights Code, and the Canadian Human Rights Act exist to decrease discrimination based on stereotypes and stigmas which play a role in the hiring process of people with disabilities. October is National Disability Employment Awareness month and I want to highlight the fact that whether you have a visible or invisible disability there is a place for you in the job market thanks to many important efforts made towards a more inclusive workforce.
According to the Government of Canada, there are almost 500,000 working-aged unemployed Canadians with disabilities but whose disability does not stop them from working. Half of this population are post-secondary graduates. This indicates that there is a large potential for this segment of the workforce that is currently underused. Unfortunately, many employers have misconceptions about people with disabilities. For example, they think that people with disabilities do not have the same level of performance or productivity as able body employees, or accommodations are too expensive to hire the person with the disability. These notions are conceived by a lack of understanding about disabilities, accommodations and how it affects an employee’s work performance.
There are various supports available from governmental and non-governmental organizations to facilitate the integration into the job market for newcomers with disabilities. For instance, the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) Employment Supports program assists eligible individuals in finding relevant job opportunities, keeping those jobs, and acquiring equipment or assistive devices needed. Alternatively, the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities program helps persons with disabilities to overcome barriers to participation in the labour market. Under this Government of Canada initiative, several community organizations provide a wide range of programs encompassing job search support, work placements, and wage subsidies.
By accommodating employees with disabilities, organizations also encourage a supportive and inclusive work environment. When workplaces focus on the needs of their employees in order to optimize productivity, it can have a direct benefit to new and existing staff; showing that employers are committed to accommodations, diversity, and inclusion for all workers. This inevitably creates a sense of belonging and a positive work environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and be their best self.
As a newcomer to Canada, if you would like to learn more about the guaranteed protections you have under Canadian law, you can also check out our previous blog post on “Equal opportunity for all”. You can also speak to your Employment Consultant or register to Build ON to learn more about disabilities or inclusivity in the workforce.