Employers that provide opportunities for employees with disabilities are more productive and generate higher revenue, according to a new report by the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work.
It found employers that lead in disability inclusion have reported 1.6-times more revenue and 2.6-times more net income compared to their peers, based on research from Accenture Canada.
According to research from the Institute for Work & Health cited in the report, the total benefits of a fully-inclusive Canadian workforce could yield between $252.8 to $422.7 billion, or 13.1 per cent to 22 per cent of Canadian gross domestic product. It also noted research by TD Canada found that closing the employment gap for Canadians with disabilities could create 450,000 new jobs by 2030 and add $50 billion to Canada’s GDP.
While Statistics Canada data showed there were 526,900 job vacancies as of July, it also noted there are more than 740,000 working-age adults with disabilities who are unemployed and 81 per cent of youth with disabilities could join the workforce if provided the right accommodations.
“Canada is facing a critical labour shortage, with nearly 527,000 job vacancies as of July 2024,” said Maureen Haan, president and chief executive officer of the CCRW, in a press release. “At the same time, we’re overlooking a highly skilled, diverse talent pool. Disability inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s a strategic imperative that benefits businesses and strengthens our economy.”
Read: Workers with disabilities face lack of support from employers, colleagues: survey