Want to tap into this talented labour pool?
Learn how right here!
Discover community partners who are ready to help you, and programs and tools that can show you how to find, hire and retain persons with disabilities.
Transcript
Hundreds of thousands of Canadians with disabilities are ready to work. And the resources you need to help hire them are right here.
A message from the Government of Canada.
Visual: Canada wordmark is shown on black background
Text on screen: Canada.ca/right-here
How to hire persons with disabilities
Hiring persons with disabilities is easier than you might think. If you are ready to make your workplace more inclusive, here are some steps to help you get started, as well as links to some tools and resources.
- Make your workplace inclusive
- Learn about and offer accommodations
- Recruit candidates with disabilities
- Conduct inclusive interviews
- Onboard and retain employees with disabilities
- Get informed: Learn that disability is diverse and that many types of disabilities are invisible. Challenge what you may think disability should look like. Broaden your understanding of disability, learn how to use respectful language and take some disability awareness training.
- Make an inclusive workplace policy: Establish some guidelines about your organization’s commitment to inclusion and accessibility. What is your vision for your accessible and inclusive workplace? Your policy does not have to be complicated. Post your policy on your website.
- Find and remove barriers: An inclusive workplace is one where everyone has the tools and supports they need to succeed. Assess your workplace: Is the physical environment accessible for persons with disabilities? Do you offer flexibility regarding sick days, work location and job duties? Is the work culture inclusive or are there stereotypes and misconceptions?
Sources
- Hire for Talent: Inclusive workplaces
- Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work: Disability Confidence (AIM playbook)
- Canadian Association for Supported Employment: Inclusive workplace
- Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act: Attitudinal barriers at work
- Accessibility Standards Canada: Draft standard on employment
Get help from community partners
From workplace adaptations to creating a more inclusive workplace, community partners can help you employ persons with disabilities.
Community partners can:
- Work with you to understand your labour needs
- Remove barriers by helping to ensure your recruitment process is inclusive
- Provide training for you and your employees
- Help match you with qualified candidates in your community.
- Support workplace accommodations
To find and connect with a partner organization near you:
- Search your local 211.ca for disability employment service providers, or
- Find lists of disability employment partners here:
Find benefits and programs
The following employment benefits, financial supports, and allowances may be available to you when you hire a person with a disability.
- Find out whether some disability-related employment benefits are taxable
- Learn about eligible expenses that may be tax-deductible for disability-related modifications
The following Employment and Social Development Canada programs further support the creation of accessible workplaces.
- The Enabling Accessibility Fund is available for projects that make Canadian communities and workplaces more accessible
- Wage subsidies are available through the Student Work Placement Program to help hire post-secondary students
- The Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program funds sectoral projects helping employers attract and retain a skilled workforce that includes members from equity-deserving groups
- The Canada Summer Jobs Program, part of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, provides funding for not-for-profit organizations, public sector employers, and businesses with 50 or less full-time employees to create summer job opportunities for youth
- The Apprenticeship Service provides targeted support to employers who hire first-year apprentices in eligible Red Seal trades, and additional funding to eligible employers who hire from an equity-deserving group, including persons with disabilities
- The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities supports projects that help employers to hire and retain employees with disabilities and create more inclusive and accessible workplaces

Find out what financial incentives and disability employment programs are available in your area:
- Date modified: