Employment

Our Objectives

Influence the design of a national employment strategy that addresses issues of meaningful employment for people with an intellectual disability.

Influence the design of Accessible Canada Act technical regulations and standards that advance employment access for people with an intellectual disability.

Generate 1,200 new jobs for people with an intellectual disability or autism in the next three years.

Why It Matters

There are approximately 500,000 working-age people with an intellectual disability in Canada – but only 1 in 4 are employed.

Among all people with disabilities, people with an intellectual disability experience the highest rate of unemployment and are the least likely to be employed.

Even though people with an intellectual disability are ready, willing, and able to work in meaningful jobs and careers, many are still confined to sheltered work settings. These are places where people with disabilities are separated from co-workers without disabilities and do not get paid equally for the work they do. Many places in Canada still have employment laws that allow people with intellectual disabilities to be paid less than minimum wage.

Our Vision

People with an intellectual disability are employed at the same rate as the general population.

How You Can Help

Inclusion Canada hosts free, 45-minute Inspiring Inclusion Tours to raise awareness of Inclusion Canada’s work toward building an inclusive Canada for people with an intellectual disability and their families.

Host an Inspiring Inclusion Tour

Inclusion Canada works to end exclusion and create a Canada in which people with disabilities are free and supported to build a rich and beautiful life. You can make this possible with a donation today.

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Our Work

What We're Doing

Inclusion Canada is increasing the number of people with an intellectual disability or autism who are hired and retained in the competitive labour market through our national partnership initiative Home - Ready, Willing & Able (readywillingable.ca) (RWA).

We’re expanding the reach of RWA to more communities in Canada, making support for inclusive employment accessible to more employers and employees. We’re also partnering with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) youth organizations to build community capacity and promote diverse and inclusive workforces.

We’re helping employers, governments, employment agencies, and the public adopt attitudes, policies, and practices that support the full inclusion of people with an intellectual disability at work.