Feedback wanted: Province releases recommendations for accessibility employment standard

“These recommendations will shape the standard regulations needed to make that a reality.”

The government will use the recommendations to inform an accessibility standard for employment. The standard will be shared publicly for comment.

Workers with disabilities are struggling to rise in Canadian organizations, according to a previous report from George Brown College.

Recommendations from Accessibility Advisory Board

Specifically, the Accessibility Advisory Board is recommending that employers have a workplace accessibility policy that ensures recruitment practices are accessible. According to the advisory board, employers shall develop a workplace accessibility policy that includes: 

• A commitment to identifying, preventing, and removing barriers to accessibility in the workplace.
• A commitment to fulfilling the requirements of the accessibility employment standard, under the Accessibility Act.
• A process for measuring and evaluating progress toward preventing and removing barriers to accessibility. 

The board recommends that employers have evacuation and shelter-in-place plans to ensure employees with disabilities are safe during an emergency.

“Employers shall tailor the evacuation plan to individual needs for persons with self-disclosed accessibility requirements. These plans shall detail what the employee may require during a workplace evacuation/shelter-in-place situation,” said the board. 

The board also noted that:

• It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that any persons managing or supervising employees with self-disclosed accessibility requirements are aware of what assistance those employees need during an evacuation or shelter-in-place situation. 
• Individualized workplace evacuation/shelter-in-place plans shall be developed in collaboration with the employee in advance of an emergency. The individualized workplace evaluation/shelter-in-place plan will be shared with those who are responsible for executing the plan during an evacuation/shelter-in-place situation. 
• Employers must integrate universal accessibility principles into workplace evacuation/ shelter-in-place plans to ensure they are broadly applicable for persons with disabilities.

Employers must also provide reasonable workplace accommodations so that everyone has what they need to do their job, recommends the board.

The board also recommends a phased approach in implementing changes, which may include exemptions depending on employer size.

Previously, Manitoba launched the Improving Quality of Life Employment Pilot Project to help people with learning disabilities find meaningful employment.

Consultations with people with disabilities

In coming up with the recommendations, the board consulted with people with disabilities, representatives of disability-focused organizations and employers from private, public and non-profit sectors.

Overall, 55.5% of adults aged 25-64 with disabilities are employed, compared with 76% of working-age adults without disabilities, according to the Nova Scotia government.

“Accessible employment is important because it ensures that all Nova Scotians can fully participate in our workforce, and employers across Nova Scotia are supported to prevent and remove barriers to employment faced by persons with disabilities,” said Max Chauvin, chair, Accessibility Advisory Board. “The Accessibility Advisory Board is pleased to see another milestone accomplished that advances accessibility in Nova Scotia.”

Nova Scotia’s Accessibility Act sets a goal of an accessible Nova Scotia by 2030; employment is the third standard area to be developed under the Accessibility Act, following built environment and education.

In February, Ottawa launched the Inclusive Workplaces campaign, which highlights how persons with disabilities can bring a broader range of experiences and skills in the workplace.