Lecture 7 - Impact of Disability on the Labour Force

Question 1

prevalence of disability among working age adults in Canada (15-64)

Answer 1

• > 20% (3.4 million canadians

Question 2

of the canadians with a disability, how many are employed vs unemployed

Answer 2

52% were employed
4.9% were unemployed
43.9% were not in the work force

Question 3

how do employment rates differ between canadian with/without disabilities

Answer 3

both have the same unemployment rate of 5% but the proportion of individuals with disabilities not in the workforce is dramatically different compared to those without a disability not in the work force
unemployED rate is the same but the unemployment rate for those with disabilities is much higher

Question 4

participation rate by age and disability in the workforce

Answer 4

Participation rates for people with and without disabilities show similar trends (increase as we approach middle age and decrease the older we get) but theres overall less with people with a disability

Question 5

do people with a disability choose to stay out of the work force

Answer 5

• > some people with disabilities can be completely prevented from working or are limited in the amount or type of work they can do
• > barriers to return to work come in numerous forms

Question 6

how does the severity and type of the disability impact employment disparities

Answer 6

2006 unemployment rates for people with…
mild disability - > 8.9
moderate - > 9.1
severe - > 15.2
*rate for non-disabled ppl is 6.8
- > hearing and pain disabilities had the highest employment rate but psychological and memory disability had the worst (consider assistive technologies and physical vs cognitive dis.)

Question 7

how has the unemployment rate of people with/without disabilities in canada changed in recent years

Answer 7

the unemployment gap has narrowed from 2006-2012 and the gap continues to close today
- > the unemployment rates for people with varying severities has also shown to have decreased (little to no change in those with severe disabilities)

Question 8

what are the main barriers to labour force participation

Answer 8

PALS report…
- > barriers caused by the disability itself; whether people are partially or totally prevented (can still sometimes participate in the workforce but would need to find a new profession)
- > barriers due to lack of workplace accommodation; some employers are not aware of employee limitations
- > barriers due to perceived or real discrimination
all of these barriers increase with the severity of the disability regardless of employment status

Question 9

workplace accomidations

Answer 9

these include modifications to the job and/or workplace environment to enable full participation of people with disabilities
- > modified hours or duties
- > work aids such as special software or assistive tech
- > other accommodations such as accessible facilities

Question 10

how does the need for workplace accommodation differ between different types of disabilities

Answer 10

• > employed ppl with hearing limitations were less likely than ppl with other limitations to require modifications in order to work
• > a job redesign was more likely to be needed by people with psychological or developmental disabilities
• > modified work hours or work days were more common for people with memory or psychological limitations

Question 11

are workplace accommodations provided to those that need them

Answer 11

for 65% of disabled workers, their accomodations needs have been met
- > people with severe disabilities were more likely to have their accommodations met compared to those with minor

Question 12

why have the need for workplace accommodation significantly drop in recent years

Answer 12

it is probably because many needs are met by default
- > maybe due to more flexibility from a shifting paradigm towards workplace wellness, and policy enforcement regarding accessibility of public spaces

Question 13

explain perceived discrimination of those with a disability

Answer 13

• > the % of people with a disability who believe they were refused a promotion increases with severity
• > age can also effect perceived discrimination; younger ppl with a disability were refused an interview, a job, or were given less responsibility than people with a disability 545+

Question 14

barriers for return to work in pp with chronic back pain

Answer 14

1. earlier negative experiences
   - > mostly related to employers not being able to accommodate the persons needs
   - > some negative experiences were due to non-disabled workers being critical
2. poor self-judgment of work ability and low self esteem
   - > despite wanting to return to work, many felt their disability (pain and mobility restrictions) would make it too difficult to work
3. lack of social support or unsuitable economic arrangement
   - > because their disability pension is dependant on their employment situation, many are nor willing to risk forfeiting those benefits for a job that might not work out

Question 15

barriers for return to work for those who suffered a stroke

Answer 15

same barriers as back pain
- > usually more of a desire to return to work

Question 16

return to work barriers for those with spinal cord injury (SCI)

Answer 16

• > transportation
• > health and physical limitations
• > fear of loss of benefits
• > failure of employer to provide accommodations