Reflection written by Tony LaBillois, Chair of the Canadian Accessibility Network (CAN) Advisory Council, for the November 2024 issue of the CAN Newsletter.
Caring about accessibility in our economy is essential to ensuring that people with disabilities can fully contribute to and benefit from economic growth. Over 1 billion people globally, including 27% of Canadians aged 15 years and older, have disabilities, representing a significant portion of both the workforce and consumers. Failing to include them in the economy limits innovation, productivity, and growth.
By making workplaces and services accessible, we not only enhance diversity but also tap into a vast pool of talent, creativity, and experience. This provides a competitive advantage and increases productivity for everyone. Accessibility drives economic inclusion, which can boost employment rates, reduce poverty, and increase consumer spending power.
To ensure full inclusion and participation, organizations should focus on:
- Accessible Infrastructure: Ensure that physical, digital, and communication environments are fully accessible, including websites, public spaces, and work environments.
- Inclusive Employment Practices: Implement recruitment, retention, and advancement strategies that focus on hiring persons with disabilities and providing reasonable accommodations.
- Policy and Legal Support: Governments and businesses should enforce strong anti-discrimination laws and policies that promote disability inclusion, while also offering incentives for organizations that prioritize accessibility.
- Education and Training: Provide ongoing disability awareness training for employees and employers, fostering a culture of inclusion and empathy.
- Leadership Commitment: The involvement and commitment of senior leaders are crucial to driving systemic change. Leaders must champion accessibility, set clear goals and progress indicators, and hold their organizations accountable through ongoing reporting and regular discussions to eliminate ableism and foster an inclusive culture.
By fostering an inclusive economy, we not only uphold human rights but also unlock substantial economic potential. Creating an accessible economy benefits everyone. Each of us can contribute to this by identifying and challenging ableism, advocating for accessibility, and supporting inclusive practices in our workplace and in our daily lives.