National AccessAbility Week: Employment rates much lower for persons with disabilities
June 2, 2023
Global Korean Post
National AccessAbility Week is taking place from May 28 to June 3, 2023.
A nationwide week of recognition, National AccessAbility Week marks the many social, economic, cultural and political achievements of persons with disabilities.
The theme for this year is “Disability Inclusion: From Possibilities to Practice.”
The 2017 Canada Survey on Disability found that one in five Canadians aged 15 and over—or about 6.2 million persons—report as having a disability.
On May 30, as part of National AccessAbility Week 2023, the Government of Canada announced $70.8 million in funding to support 903 accessibility projects led by organizations across Canada. Organizations were selected as a result of a Call for Proposals, launched in 2022, under the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) small projects component.
According to the 2017 Canadian Survey on Disability, the employment rates of persons with disabilities (59%) are much lower than those of Canadians without disabilities (80%).
Currently, 45% of Canadians lack the literacy, numeracy and digital skills that are increasingly necessary to succeed in jobs in the knowledge economy.
It is estimated that a 1% increase in average literacy rates in Canada, over time, would contribute to an increase in the gross domestic product (GDP) of up to 3% and an increase in productivity of up to 5%. Investments in women and individuals with the lowest literacy levels would have the greatest effect on growth.
