news
could add significantly to Canada’s future pool of workers and
to the quality of life of individuals with disabilities,” said Ruth
Wright, director, HR and Inclusive Talent Management Research
at The Conference Board of Canada. “This is positive not only
from an inclusion point of view, but it also provides economic
benefits to businesses, individuals and governments alike.”
The report, The Business Case to Build Physically Accessible
Environments, provides results of a survey of Canadians with
physical disabilities to identify barriers for workforce participation
and calculates the economic impacts associated with increased
labour participation.
Roughly 60 per cent of survey respondents said their disability
prevented them from finding employment that would allow
them to use their skills, abilities and training. Of those who
were employed, almost three-quarters of respondents indicated
their condition was preventing them from working to
the extent they desired. Of these individuals, more than 65
per cent of survey respondents believed accessibility improvements
would allow them to increase the number of hours they
work.
Of those who are currently unemployed or out of the labour
force, roughly 57 per cent felt they would be able to return to work
if accessibility improvements were made. Of these, about 38
per cent would be able to work several hours per week, and
nearly 19 per cent expected that they could work 11 or more
hours per week.
The aging of Canada’s population means the number of
people with disabilities who would benefit from greater accessibility
will continue to grow at about twice the rate of the
overall population. The number of Canadians living with a
physical disability that impairs their mobility, vision or hearing
is expected to rise from 2.9 million to 3.6 million over the
next 13 years. If workplaces were more accessible, by 2030,
more than half a million individuals with a physical disability
would be able to work or work more hours per week. This
would result in over 300 million hours a year added to the
workforce by 2030.
The increase in labour availability would lift the income of
people with disabilities by more than $13.5 billion. This, in
turn, would boost disposable incomes by $10.6 billion and
facilitate a $10-billion increase in consumer spending. The
GDP and income gains would also benefit federal and provincial
government revenues. About $2.6 billion would be added
to federal government coffers and $1.8 billion for provincial
government by 2030.
There are many ways for organizations to make their work
environment more comfortable, more user-friendly and easier
to navigate. Simple, low-cost modifications, such as handrails,
ergonomic aids and widened doorways and hallways
can improve access. However, just as important as improving
physical impediments are the attitudes of managers and
co-workers. Survey respondents suggested that managers and
employees need education and awareness about the distinction
between technical accessibility and truly inclusive behaviours.
Accommodative management practices, such as modified or
different duties, telework and more flexible work hours, were
mentioned most frequently. n
IF WORKPLACES WERE MORE ACCESSIBLE, BY
2030, MORE THAN HALF A MILLION INDIVIDUALS
WITH A PHYSICAL DISABILITY WOULD BE ABLE
TO WORK OR WORK MORE HOURS PER WEEK.
bialasiewicz/123RF Stock Photo
8 ❚ APRIL 2018 ❚ HR PROFESSIONAL
