Jul 13, 2022 | INSiGHT Magazine
by Sue Dafoe and Dean Askin

The nature of work is rapidly changing and is creating opportunities for jobseekers who have a disability. But for the more than 600,000 employable Canadians who have a disability, many still face barriers to securing employment.

Today, a majority of the job search happens online. The problem is mainstream job boards and recruitment sites take a one-size-fits-all approach. Theyre not designed with accessibility and disability in mind.

Key barriers for jobseekers who have a disability

Jobseekers who have a disability identify many barriers to accessing mainstream recruitment sites. These barriers include inaccessible websites, accessibility issues once inside the platforms and biases with automated screening tools, to name a few.

Job Boards Aren’t Designed with Disability in Mind – and That Needs to Change full article

If Canada is truly going to build back better after COVID-19, we will need the support and expertise of all Canadians, Yazmine Laroche writes. By Yazmine Laroche
Thu., July 7, 2022

As the pandemic lingers, Canadian employers are experiencing a human resources crunch, commonly referred to as “The Great Resignation.” Adequate staffing and training are a significant challenge for many employers.

But this challenge also comes with an opportunity.

As we are forced to reconceive many of our workplaces, we can do so with 21st vision. It’s time to embrace equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace – but that means disability inclusion too.

Disability Inclusion Requires a Culture Shift full article

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.

Employers in Ontario and Manitoba have important compliance deadlines in May and June 2022.

In Manitoba, effective as of May 1, 2022, employers must comply with the new Accessibility Standard for Employment. In the case of larger employers (defined as those with fifty or more employees in Manitoba), this means having a written policy in place to ensure compliance with those standards.

Ontario employers with twenty-five or more employees have thirty days to prepare and give to employees a policy on ‘disconnecting from work’ as required by the Working for Workers Act, 2021. This requirement comes into effect on June 2, 2022. The Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development has published general guidance on what these policies should contain; however, the content of the policy is largely left to the discretion of individual employers.

Ontario’s ‘Disconnecting From Work’ Policy and Manitoba’s New Accessibility Requirements – Deadlines Approaching full article

With eyes set firmly on a return to offices, is it time for HR leaders to look at their inclusivity? BY Emily Douglas 20 Apr 2022

As offices begin to tentatively re-open, and employers consider a more hybrid approach to work, questions around inclusivity, accessibility, and disability policies are coming to light. And, according to recent research, HR leaders ignore these priorities at their own peril.

Data from the Institute of Corporate Productivity found three in four businesses ranked employees with disabilities to be just as good or even better than their co-workers. What’s more, McKinsey and Company’s research highlighted that companies that hire diverse and differently-abled workers enjoy increased revenues of up to 35%.

How to Be a More Accessible Employer full article

By Employment and Social Development Canada
Mar 28, 2022

GATINEAU, QC , March 28, 2022 /CNW/ – Canada’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic must leave no one behind, including the one in five Canadians who identify as having a disability. That is why the Government of Canada is working with partners from the disability community to address barriers to accessibility and inclusion, so that every Canadian can fully participate in all aspects of society.

Today, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, launched a competitive call for proposals for national operating funding through the Social Development Partnership Program Disability (SDPP-D) component.

Call for Proposals Launched to Improve the Participation and Social Inclusion of Persons With Disabilities Across Canada full article

SARAH LAING
SPECIAL TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL
PUBLISHED March 8, 2022

Toronto-based entrepreneur Eyra Abraham founded Lisnen, a mobile app that allows users to receive notifications of critical sounds like fire alarms and sirens.

This article is part of a package produced by the Globe Women’s Collective around International Women’s Day and this year’s theme of #BreakTheBias

Eyra Abraham felt the call to entrepreneurship like an alarm ringing in the middle of the night. More specifically, one that she couldn’t hear – with potentially life-threatening consequences.

How Entrepreneurs With Disabilities are Making Their Own Space in the Business World full article

Andrew Pulrang
Feb 21, 2022,12:47pm EST|112 views

Disability issues like accessibility, equal service, and employment rights are important to disabled people. But are they really important to anyone else?

Businesses are legally required to follow the Americans with Disabilities Act, state civil rights laws, and sometimes local accessibility standards as well. But there are ways to “comply” with these laws and regulations with only minimal attention and care. And too many businesses still tend to think of accessibility and disability accommodations as semi-voluntary “good deeds.”

4 Reasons Why Businesses Should Care About Disability Issues full article

Debra RuhForbes Councils Member

Focusing on inclusion and diversity is more important than ever during a crisis like the Covid-19 pandemic.

Throughout the pandemic, many were forced to socially isolate and physically distance themselves in order to limit the spread of the pathogen. Nations went into an economic recession, and millions lost their jobs. We saw people unable to work, and businesses closed.

People who have disabilities faced and continue to face unique challenges during a time like this, including inequality of support and a lack of access to information and communication technology. Accessibility can improve the lives of millions of people who have disabilities. This current inequality requires governments, decision-makers and organizations to start accelerating a digital transformation and expand the range of services for people who have disabilities for accessibility and digital inclusion.

The Rise In Telework During The Pandemic, An Opportunity For Accessibility And Inclusion full article