What's new

A group of workers in a well-lit office; the logo for VRAIE/IDEA is on the top left corner
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Sign up now: Inclusive Design for Employment Access (IDEA) launch event

On Thursday, May 18, the Inclusive Design for Employment Access (IDEA) social innovation laboratory is hosting a launch event. This partnered, knowledge-to-practice initiative is focused on building employers’ capacity to hire, promote and retain persons with disabilities, and to create accessible and inclusive workplaces.

The four logos that accompany the four types of job demands that the Jay-dapt tool asks about
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Now available: a tool to help workers with chronic conditions find job-tailored supports

The IWH-led Accommodating and Communicating about Episodic Disabilities partnership has officially launched the Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT) for workers. The evidence-based tool is designed to help workers with chronic conditions identify job supports that they can implement — on their own or with their supervisor’s approval — that allow them to keep working safely and productively without having to disclose their health condition.

Cover illustration of Three Scenarios of a Future Working World report, which shows a worker standing on the should of a human-looking robot
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What might the future working world look like for young adults with disabilities?

An IWH research team has examined how working life could change in Canada over the next seven years and what the implications might be for young adults with a disability. Using strategic foresight methods, the team created three future scenarios that are designed to provoke discussion about the policies needed now to ensure an inclusive future for people with disabilities.

Text reads: At the next IWH Speaker Series presentation... Unveiling the JDAPT: A new interactive tool to identify work-related support strategies for workers with chronic conditions and disability. Dr. Monique Gignac. Tuesday March 21, 2023, 11a.m.-12p.m. www.iwh.on.ca. Background image shows a woman at her laptop, reading a document, in her dining room.
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IWH unveiling tool to help workers with chronic conditions find job-tailored supports

An evidence-based tool from the Institute for Work & Health (IWH) helps workers with chronic conditions learn about customized job supports and modifications that can help them continue to work safely, comfortably and productively. On March 21 at an IWH Speaker Series webinar, Senior Scientist Dr. Monique Gignac unveils the new Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT) developed by the Accommodating and Communicating about Episodic Disabilities (ACED) partnership. She describes the tool, how it works and the studies conducted to back it up.

Text reads: At the next IWH Speaker Series presentation... Persistent pain, its role in work absence, health and employment after a work injury Dr. Kathleen Dobson November 15, 2022, 11:00a.m. to noon www.iwh.on.ca Tinted background shows man wincing in pain as he holds his shoulder
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IWH Speaker Series webinar explores persistent pain after work injury

How common is it for injured workers to continue experiencing pain after a work injury? In the next IWH Speaker Series, on November 15, Dr. Kathleen Dobson shares findings from a study conducted with workers’ compensation claimants in Ontario.

An older female worker ponders decision while sitting in waiting room
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Why older workers are reluctant to disclose their support needs

The aging of the working population may be a big factor behind the labour shortages being felt across the country, but if you ask older workers, many would say they’re in no hurry to retire. However, they do have support needs that they may not divulge. In a new study, Institute for Work & Health (IWH) Senior Scientist Dr. Monique Gignac explores the risks of disclosure older workers perceive, and suggests ways workplaces can support and retain these employees despite the communication barriers.

Police sirens at night
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IWH Speaker Series webinar explores return-to-work challenges in policing

What challenges do members of police services face after a work injury? In an IWH Speaker Series on October 18, IWH Scientist Dr. Dwayne Van Eerd shares findings from a recent study on return to work in Ontario police services. He also highlights suggestions that emerged from the data on ways to improve the return-to-work process.

An older female worker ponders decision while sitting in waiting room
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Webinar now available: Supporting older workers to stay at work

Many older workers don't want to retire, but they may have support needs they don't want to disclose. How do employers provide these workers support and help them stay on the job? On September 20, at the first IWH Speaker Series webinar of the season, Senior Scientist Dr. Monique Gignac shared insights from a recent study. The webinar is now available to watch on-demand.

A visually impaired businesswoman uses smartphone and earphones during a business meeting
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New initiative aims to ‘skill up’ employers on inclusion of persons with disabilities

Efforts to date to improve the employment of persons with disabilities have focused on making them job-ready. A new initiative, a joint project at the Institute for Work & Health (IWH) and McMaster University, now sets out to flip that approach on its head. It aims to “skill up” workplaces instead.  

Screen grab of the video displays the title, "Challenge 1: Impact of advanced digital technologies"
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Join study on future challenges for young workers with disabilities

An ongoing study at the Institute for Work & Health identified six key challenges that young people with disabilities are expected to face in the future of work. In a series of short videos, we describe six major trends that are expected to shape employment for vulnerable workers over the next 10 years—and the program or policies that have the potential to protect these workers. Watch the first video and take part in the study.