Workforce Diversity Profiles
Workers with Disability
The Accessible Canada Act defines a disability as any physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication, or sensory impairment — or functional limitation — whether permanent, temporary, episodic, visible, or hidden, that, when interacting with a barrier, hinders full and equal participation in society. People experience disabilities uniquely and face diverse barriers, even among those with
similar disabilities.
Employment rates remain low; 62% of working-age Canadian adults with disabilities were employed, compared to 78% of those without disabilities. In 2022, the employment rate for persons with disabilities aged 25 to 64 was up 3 percentage points from 2017, narrowing the gap by 5 percentage points.
Gender
In Toronto, women in the workforce were more likely than men to have a disability. Additionally, as noted in the Census, women were more likely than men to have a more severe disability.
Disability
Toronto’s rate of disability among those working is 28.6%, slightly higher than Canada’s rate of disability at 27%.
Education
Persons with a disability’s educational attainment is lower than their peers, although it is worth noting that while University degrees are lower, attainment of College diplomas is higher.
Income
The average income for Persons with a disability is $15,000 less than for the population as whole. 49% of all Persons with a disability on average make less than $40,000 per year. This share is 3.3% higher than for the overall workforce showing the average is being dragged down with more people at the lower end and fewer at the higher end.
Newcomers
The percentage of newcomers with a disability make up a fairly small percentage of the overall workforce. This is a direct result of immigration policies which include a health evaluation.
Diversity
When compare to the population as a whole, the proportion of those reporting a disability is higher among Non-Visible minorities while it is lower for Black and Visible minorities.
Job by Occupation
Persons with a disability were less likely to have occupations in the trades, healthcare, business and finance, and natural and applied sciences than their peers. Conversely, a higher percentage of persons with a disability work in arts and culture and education, law and social community.
Job by Industry
Persons with a disability are less likely to work in every industry sector with the notable exception of healthcare and social assistance.
Final Thoughts
In Toronto, Ontario, and across Canada, employers are in a fierce competition to secure the best talent. One way that businesses can do this is by prioritizing accessibility and inclusion in their hiring practices.
Inclusive businesses that hire people with disabilities grow profits up to three times faster than their competitors. According to the Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN), businesses also experience a 72% increase in productivity.