Disability Resources

Are you an employer seeking resources to learn more about Disability? Below you will find tools and resources designed to assist your company in creating an inclusive workplace.

Disability in Canada

Research & Reports

A Way With Words And Images: Guide For Communicating With And About Persons With Disabilities  

This guide supports communication with and about persons with disabilities in writing, speech and images. It aims to foster an accessibility- and disability-confident Canada. It is intended to support the federal public service and all Canadians to communicate accurately and confidently.  

https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/disability/arc/words-images.html  

The Visible Minority Population with a Disability in Canada: Employment and Education

This infographic  depicts the current work and educational environment for people within the visible minority population who have a disability.

Source: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-627-m/11-627-m2020086-eng.htm (2020)

 

Profile of Persons with Disabilities in Canada 

Workforce Planning Hamilton created an infographic sharing from the latest Canadian Survey on Disability based on 2022 data from Statistics Canada. 

https://www.workforceplanninghamilton.ca/infographics/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1TgfFwkZd7S9o6cI5Sid5e2tDntGOo1v18YVnSKS7By980Ns7yKYPXXts_aem_Ab1lmWlrVfdeNMtGKseIqCkbnlGnHXZUtieFzDUFOOf8pHhNlIIoAwUmF94wm6nkGM4GJjUg7SCICSs4Z9JBrf1s  

 

Community Resources

Making Cent$ of Abilities Employers’ Resource to Hiring and Retaining Persons with Disabilities  

A local initiative from the Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin highlighting the economic benefits of employing persons with disabilities, how employers can recruit workers with disabilities and the available supports for employers in doing so. 

https://www.workforceplanningboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Making-Cent-booklet.pdf  

 

Training & Tools

Training & Tools

Coming Soon.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Research & Reports

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder 

Learn about Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).  

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd  

Business Case Study: Les Armoires Séguin 

Les Armoires Séguin hired a young person who had Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and recognized the potential of their employee, they made changes to their training processes and provided training other staff on working with a person who has ADHD.   

https://www.odenetwork.com/case-studies/les-armoires-seguin-2019/  

Community Resources

Coming Soon.

Training & Tools

Coming Soon.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Research & Reports

Fostering Inclusion: Exploring the Needs of Autistic Adults in Canada 

 This report explores the needs of adults in Canada who have autism and how we can better support the health and wellbeing including challenges they have finding jobs and getting enough support at work. 

https://autismalliance.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024_EN_Adult-Needs-Assessment-Survey.pdf  

Community Resources

Words Matter 

A collaborative language and communication guide in the autism field. The theory behind person-first language is that it puts the person before the disability or the condition and emphasizes the value and worth of the individual by recognizing them as a person instead of a condition.   

https://www.autismcanada.org/_files/ugd/890d7b_5b22c35327fd4d0e8314b17714ba3608.pdf  

Training & Tools

Autism Workforce Development Hub 

Prepare everyone for a successful employment experience with free training and consultation programs that bridge the gap between employers and neurodiverse employees.  

https://www.autism.net/autism-workforce-development-hub  

 

Blind and Visual Impairments/Disabilities 

Research & Reports

Canadians with a seeing disability, 2017

This infographic describes important stats regarding Canadians who have visual impairments.

Source: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-627-m/11-627-m2019071-eng.htm (2019)

Blindness Myths and Facts 

Learn some myths and misconceptions about blindness and people who are blind with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB).  

https://www.cnib.ca/en/sight-loss-info/blindness/blindness-myths-and-facts?region=gta  

Community Resources

Coming Soon.

Training & Tools

Coming Soon.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Research & Reports

Canadians with a Hearing Disability 2019

This infographic describes important stats regarding Canadians who have a hearing disability.

Source: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-627-m/11-627-m2019025-eng.htm (2017)

Business Case Study: Rockwool 

Rockwool collaborated with the Ontario Disability Employment Network and the Bob Rumball Canadian Centre of Excellence for the Deaf to provide changes to become more accessible to hire employees from the Dead community. 

https://www.odenetwork.com/case-studies/rockwool-2019/ 

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth in Ontario: A Snapshot of Systemic Barriers and Gaps 

This report identifies ten gaps and barriers among Deaf and Hard of Hearing youth communities and three solutions are offered to address these gaps and barriers. 

 https://silentvoice.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/EN_report.pdf  

Hearing Loss 101  

Learn about hearing loss from the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association.  

https://chha.ca/hearing-loss-101/  

 

Information Guide by Canadian Association of the Deaf 

 

Learn more about the Canadian Association of the Deaf (CAD) and their research that uncovered the rate of under and unemployment among Deaf Canadians.  

 

https://cad-asc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/CAD-ASC-information-guide.pdf  

Community Resources

Coming Soon.

Training & Tools

Amplify Access Training Program for Employers 

This program will introduce you to accessible strategies, tools, and technologies to transform your workplace into an inclusive and supportive environment. You’ll also deepen your awareness and sensitivity to the unique experiences and challenges faced by individuals with hearing loss and deafness in and outside the workplace.  

https://amplifyaccess.talentlms.com/index 

Deaf Learn Now

Deaf Learn Now is a tuition free, online literacy program run by George Brown College for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Adults who live in Ontario, Canada.

https://choices.georgebrown.ca/

Equitable Access Guide – A Guide to Using Interpreters  

A guide to make your service accessible for Deaf and Hard of Hearing consumers.  

https://equitable.bobrumball.org/  

Developmental Disabilities

Research & Reports

Business Case Study: Aurora’s Pizza and Spaghetti House is Finding Success by Welcoming Diversity into the Family 

Aurora’s Pizza and Spaghetti House finds success working closely with Community Living Algoma (CLA) and the value of hiring people who have a disability.  

https://www.odenetwork.com/case-studies/auroras-pizza-and-spaghetti-house-2023/ 

Final Research Report: Advancing Equal Access for People with Intellectual Disabilities in the Workplace Project  

Inclusion Canada, People First of Canada and the Canadian Institute for Citizenship and Inclusion researched employment barriers and the needs of people who experience intellectual disabilities. 

https://inclusioncanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Advancing-Equal-Access-for-People-with-Intellectual-Disabilities-in-the-Workplace-Final-Research-Report-March-2023-Branded.pdf 

Community Resources

Info Sheet: Equal Access at Work  

Read the Info Sheet summarizing ways the Government of Canada can support equal  

access at work for people with intellectual disabilities.   

https://inclusioncanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/InfoSheet_23-03-30.pdf  

Ready, Willing & Able  

Ready, Willing & Able transforms and increases labour force participation of people who have an intellectual disability and those on the autism spectrum. It advances economic productivity and social inclusion. It is a national strategic partnership between Inclusion Canada, the Autism Alliance of Canada, and provincial bodies including Community Living Ontario. This is the most successful program of its kind in Canada.  

https://readywillingable.ca 

Training & Tools

Real Xchange 

Community Living Essex County created REAL Xchange with a vision to bring agencies together to share the information, tools and resources needed to best support people with intellectual disabilities. 

https://realxchange.communitylivingessex.org/ 

Episodic Disabilities

Research & Reports

Episodic Disabilities in Canada 

Centre for Research on Work Disability Policy (C.R.W.D.P.) research “Episodic Disabilities in Canada” was a three-phrase project that focused on hiring, retention, and progression in employment of people who have episodic disabilities.  

https://www.crwdp.ca/sites/default/files/Research%20and%20Publications/episodic_disabilities_in_canada_-_october_4_-_final.pdf 

IDEAL Community Consultations: Intersectionality, episodic disability and access to health services, community supports and employment in Canada

The focus of this document is an intersectional examination into the living realities and various aspects of access barriers to health services, community-based organizations and employment for people living with episodic disabilities in the Canadian landscape. The participating organizations serve communities that provided unique intersectional considerations of gender, racial identity, faith community, health conditions, sexual identity, and age with disability. 

https://www.realizecanada.org/wp-content/uploads/IDEAL-Community-Consultations-Report-Executive-Summary.pdf  

Workplaces REVAMPED (Workplaces REcognizing the VAlue of eMPloyees with Episodic Disabilities)  

This report reviews the goals of the REVAMPED project, raising employers’ awareness of episodic disabilities and their impact on work through the development of a number of interactive and accessible education and awareness-raising activities.  

https://www.realizecanada.org/wp-content/uploads/REVAMPED-Report-20230525-FINAL-2.pdf  

Community Resources

Disclose and Accommodation Planning – What do we need to improve job retention for people who are living with a disability?  

Presented by Monique A. M. Gignac, PhD at the 2022 Rethinking Disability Conference (RDC): Future of Work, explore how to improve the communication-support process for people living with episodic disabilities to enhance their ability to gain and sustain employment. 

https://aced.iwh.on.ca/videos-and-presentations/disclosure-and-accommodation-planning-what-do-we-need-improve-job  

Training & Tools

Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT) 

The Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT) helps workers with chronic and episodic conditions—and the workplace parties who support them—identify accommodations tailored to job demands that allow workers to successfully stay in their jobs. 

https://aced.iwh.on.ca/jdapt

Learning Disabilities

Research & Reports

Disclosure in the Workplace  

James A. Cincotta, MA Ed shares about disclosing a learning disability in the workplace.  

https://www.ldao.ca/introduction-to-ldsadhd/articles/about-lds/disclosure-in-the-workplace/  

Understanding Learning Disabilities 

Understand learning disabilities result from impairments in one or more processes related to perceiving, thinking, remembering or learning as well as different types of learning disabilities. 

https://www.ldac-acta.ca/understanding-learning-disabilities/  

Community Resources

Training & Tools

Coming Soon.

Mental Health Resources

Research & Reports

Infographic: Mental Disorders in Canada, 2022 (Stats Canada)

This infographic visually depicts important stats regarding Canadians who have a mental disorder.

Source: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-627-m/11-627-m2023053-eng.htm (2022)

Mental Health in the Workplace: An Accommodation Guide for Managers and Staff 

Mental Health in the Workplace: An Accommodation Guide for Managers and Staff was produced by Mental Health Works to help employers and managers understand how to assist a colleague with a mental health concern and appropriately accommodate them in the workplace. 

https://www.mentalhealthworks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/CMHA_Mental-Health-Works-Guidebook.pdf  

Mind the Gap: Addressing the Mental Health and Addictions “Echo Pandemic” in Ontario 

Informed by robust consultations with mental health experts and its members, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is building on previous policy work related to mental health to investigate the interconnected impacts of the “echo pandemic” on SMEs, communities, and the provincial health care system.   

https://occ.ca/wp-content/uploads/Mind-the-Gap-FINAL.pdf  

Community Resources

Bounce Back Ontario

Bounce Back Ontario is a free skill-building program managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). It is designed to help adults and youth aged 15+ manage low mood, depression, anxiety, stress or worry.

https://bouncebackontario.ca/

Your Health Space

A free workplace mental health program for Ontario’s health care organizations.

https://yourhealthspace.ca/

Smart Serve Cares 

Smart Serve Cares is a program providing free mental health support and resources for hospitality in Ontario to those who possess a Valid Smart Serve Certificate.  

https://smartserve.ca/cares/  

Warm Line 

Individuals can receive support by speaking on the phone, texting or chatting online. The Warm Line is available for anyone who is 18 and older, looking to connect when feeling lonely, isolated or in need a friendly chat.  

https://www.warmline.ca/ 

Training & Tools

March of Dimes: Wellness Without Limits

A webinar series that offers employees practical strategies for improving their physical and mental health. The webinars are facilitated by two in-house experts – a registered psychologist and an occupational therapist who have extensive experience in the areas of mental health, disability in the workplace, and managing health conditions that impact functional abilities.

https://www.modcemploymentservices.ca/news-events/news/our-new-webinars-foster-employee-wellness-and-healthy-workplaces/

Working Towards Mental Wellness: A Toolkit for Employers by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce

Developed by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, this toolkit seeks to describe mental wellness in the workplace, outline the case for action, and provide resources for starting this conversation in your workplace.

http://occ.ca/wp-content/uploads/Working-Towards-Mental-Health-Interactive.pdf

Workplace Mental Health Playbook for Business Leaders by CAMH

This user-friendly playbook provides a path to more effective solutions and better outcomes for employees and businesses with 5 powerful recommendations.

Source: https://give.camh.ca/site/SPageNavigator/Components/Pages/EmailLanding_WorkplaceMentalHealth_2020.html;jsessionid=00000000.app20006a?NONCE_TOKEN=D2C365AE4E68253A26C6A6004F213D06#cta-sign-up-form (2023)

Healthy Minds At Work

Healthy Minds At Work is a program provided by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety that provides resources to help employers better understand and address mental health in the workplace.

https://www.ccohs.ca/healthyminds/

Mental Health Works

An initiative by the Ontario division of the Canadian Mental Health Association that provides mental health guides to workplaces to build awareness and encourage healthy and safe workplaces.

https://www.mentalhealthworks.ca/resource/

Mental Health Toolkit 

The YES WorkAbility (YWA) project is designed to assist employers in creating inclusive and accessible workplaces for people who have a mental health disability. Inside their complimentary Mental Health Toolkit, workplace leaders will have access to interactive courses, certificates, training modules and resources. 

https://yesworkability.ca/tool-kit-access  

Mental Health Structural Stigma in Healthcare eLearning Course 

This course is offered in partnership with the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) to health system leaders and healthcare professionals who want to better understand and identify structural stigma in their organization and how it contributes to inequity and poorer experiences and health outcomes for those experiencing mental health and substance use concerns.  

https://chalearning.ca/programs-and-courses/structural-stigma-training-for-health-care-leaders/?utm_source=mhcc_website&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=mhcc_support&utm_content=eng_stigma

Mobility/Pain Disabilities

Research & Reports

Canadians With A Mobility Disability

This infographic describes important stats regarding Canadians who have a mobility disability.

Source: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-627-m/11-627-m2020085-eng.htm (2020)

Canadians with a pain-related disability (2019)

This infographic describes important stats regarding Canadians who have a pain-related disability.

Source: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-627-m/11-627-m2019078-eng.htm

Fact Sheet on Limited Mobility

A quick fact sheet describing how people who have limited mobility navigate their world. Supported by multiple statistics , this sheet also provides recommendations for accommodations.

Source: http://hmdproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Fact-Sheet-on-Limited-Mobility.June-2023.pdf(2023)

 

Community Resources

Coming Soon.

Training & Tools

Best Practices for Providing Access for Those with Limited Mobility  

Hidden Mobility Disabilities provides best practices to providing access to those with limited mobility. 

https://hmdproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Best-Practices-Regarding-Limited-Mobility.pdf  

Framework for Limited Mobility Physical Accessibility Requirements  

A framework to increase accessibility for limited mobility disabilities.  

 

https://hmdproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/HMDA-Framework-for-Limited-Mobility-Physical-Accessibility-Requirements.pdf