Disability and work
People with disabilities face substantially lower employment levels than the general working-age population. This page pulls together research and resources on policies and practices aimed at improving the labour market participation of people living with disabilities.
Featured
At Work article
Inclusive employment strategies, resources showcased at symposium
Published: November 12, 2025
Research Highlights
Examining four types of job disruptions due to a health condition, and the differences expected when workplace support needs are met
Job disruptions are common among workers living with chronic physical and/or mental health conditions, an IWH study has found. The study investigated the effects of workplace supports had on four types of job disruptions.
Published: March 11, 2025
At Work article
Inclusive employment strategies, resources showcased at symposium
At a two-day event symposium hosted by Inclusive Design for Employment Access (IDEA), stakeholders had an opportunity to share and learn about new programs, research, and resources aimed at helping employers build their disability confidence.
Published: November 2025
Journal article
Journal article
Strategies for supporting disability-inclusive employment in the future of work
Published: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, November 2025
Journal article
Journal article
Promoting job quality and career advancement among persons with disabilities during critical career transitions: a scoping review of published evidence
Published: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, October 2025
IWH in the media
Inclusive Design for Employment Access (IDEA) announces new project to enhance workplace capacity to employ youth with disabilities
A new multi-year project is reportedly underway to help workplaces in Canada’s manufacturing sector retool their systems to better include youth with disabilities — especially neurodiverse youth, youth with intellectual disabilities and youth with mental health challenges. The project, co-led by Inclusive Design for Employment Access (IDEA) and the Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources (CIRHR) at the University of Toronto, will focus on reshaping workplace systems to build the capacity of workplaces to employ persons with disabilities.
Published: Canadian Manufacturing, October 2025
IWH in the media
New $4.4-million program aims to help employers hire youth with disabilities
A federally funded initiative will help construction and manufacturing employers in Canada improve their ability to recruit and retain young workers with disabilities over the next three years. The “Transforming Workplace Systems to Build Sustainable Capacity for Inclusion of Diverse Youth” project will receive $4.44 million over 38 months, from February 2025 to March 2028, according to an announcement from the Institute for Work & Health (IWH) and Inclusive Design for Employment Access (IDEA). The funding comes from the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program, Todd Humber reports.
Published: HR News Canada , October 2025
Journal article
Journal article
Why are disclosure decisions so difficult? Understanding factors that encourage and discourage workers with a chronic disabling condition from disclosing health information at work
Published: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, August 2025
Research Highlights
Examining four types of job disruptions due to a health condition, and the differences expected when workplace support needs are met
Job disruptions are common among workers living with chronic physical and/or mental health conditions, an IWH study has found. The study investigated the effects of workplace supports had on four types of job disruptions.
Published: March 2025
Journal article
Journal article
Engaging workers with disabilities in the financial sector: exploring promising practices through key informant interviews and a rapid literature review
Published: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, January 2025
Journal article
Journal article
The relationship between meeting workplace accommodation needs and job disruptions among Canadians working with disabilities: a cross-sectional analysis
Published: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, January 2025
Journal article
Journal article
Uncovering mental health profiles of workers with a physically disabling injury or illness using the complete state mental health framework
Published: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, November 2024