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In Unison:
A Canadian Approach to Disability Issues
Appendix B
Profile of Canadians
with Disabilities*
Demographics
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In 1991, 4.2 million Canadians, 16% of the population, reported some level
of disability. Of the 4.2 million Canadians with disabilities, 3.9 million
live in households and 300,000 live in institutions.
D
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Disability rates increase regularly with age, from 7% of children under
the age of 14, to 50% of those over age 65. As the Canadian population
ages, the prevalence of disabilities among the population rise.
D
Employment
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Persons with disabilities have a lower rate of employment as well as a
lower participation rate in the labour force than those without disabilities.
Limited employment opportunities for persons with disabilities may discourage
many from actively searching for work.
D
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The majority of persons with disabilities have mild disabilities. This
group has a very high participation rate in the labour force. Persons with
severe disabilities are least likely to be in the labour force. Yet, despite
severe disabilities, 26 percent of this group do participate.
D
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The participation rate of men and women with disabilities differs considerably.
Women with disabilities are less likely to be employed than men with disabilities.
The disproportionate share of domestic responsibilities assumed by women
with disabilities has presented significant barriers to their labour force
participation and has contributed to increased poverty for many of these
women.
D
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A number of factors discourage persons with disabilities from seeking work.
The reasons for not joining the labour force most often cited by persons
with disabilities are: losing their current income (21%); problems with
training (16%); no jobs available (15%); fear they would lose additional
supports (13%); family responsibilities (10%); discrimination (7%); and
lack of accessible transportation (7%).
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The accessibility of the workplace largely determines whether or not people
with disabilities can work. The three accommodations most often identified
by people with disabilities not in the labour force as required for them
to work are: modified/ reduced hours (33%); job redesign (27%); and accessible
transportation (14%).
Income
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Persons with disabilities are more likely than others to have low employment
income, particularly women with disabilities, who are concentrated at the
bottom end of the scale.
D
Other Social Indicators
*Source: Health and Activity Limitations
Survey (HALS), Statistics Canada, 1991.
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