CHRC report shows significant gaps in equality of opportunity for people with disabilities in Canada

OTTAWA, July 9, 2012 /CNW/ - Canadians have a better picture of how disability affects equality of opportunity, thanks to a new benchmarking study released by the Canadian Human Rights Commission today.

The Report on Equality Rights of People with Disabilities compares Canadians with disabilities to those without disabilities across a spectrum of indicators, such as education, employment, economic well-being, health, and housing. The report consolidates data from seven Statistics Canada surveys.

"This is the first comprehensive examination of how disability affects equality of opportunity in daily life," Acting Chief Commissioner David Langtry said. "It provides a benchmark that will enable Canadians to track progress and identify barriers that deny people with disabilities the full opportunity to make for themselves the lives they wish to have."

The report released today provides insight for academics, NGOs, community groups and all levels of government involved in developing policies and programs aimed at improving life for Canadians with disabilities. It provides a baseline for future studies that the Commission intends to undertake to measure change.

The report shows a different reality for people with disabilities in areas such as education, employment and economic well-being.

When compared to other adults, adults with disabilities:

• are half as likely to complete a university degree,
• are more likely to settle for part-time instead of full time employment, and
• have lower annual incomes.

The Report on Equality Rights of People with Disabilities can be obtained from the Commission's website at chrc-ccdp.gc.ca.

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