Cost to Canadians of excluding people with disabilities from the labour market

Reasons for the study

It is estimated that 795,000 people with disabilities in Canada are unemployed despite being able and willing to work. Many barriers prevent these people from working, including discrimination and bias, employers’ concerns about cost and productivity, and a lack of knowledge about accommodation. Not included in this number are the underemployed—those individuals with skill levels higher than their job demands who are unable to secure appropriate work due to their disability. The question driving this study is: What is the cost to Canadians of excluding people with disability from fully participating in the paid labour market?

Objectives of the study

Target audience

The information on the costs of exclusion of people with disabilities from the world of work in Canada will be relevant to injured worker and disability communities, employers, policy-makers, disability program administrators and service providers.