The purpose of Employment Accessibility Standards for the Recruitment and Retention of People with Disabilities: Final Report is to provide evidence and recommendations to support the development of employment accessibility standards under the Accessible Canada Act. Produced by the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC) and funded in part by Accessibility Standards Canada, the report examines how employers can remove barriers and improve the recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and retention of people with disabilities. It aims to help create more accessible and inclusive workplaces and contribute to the goal of a barrier-free Canada by 2040.
The report was developed through a comprehensive research project involving multiple methods. Researchers conducted a literature review and environmental scan of workplace accessibility practices, interviewed subject matter experts and people with lived experience of disability, consulted with government representatives and labour organizations, and worked directly with employers across Canada. The project was carried out in partnership with MacLeod Silver HR Business Partners and built on the BC Partners in Workforce Innovation (BC WiN) framework. A working group of people with lived experience of disability and a national advisory committee also helped guide the project and validate findings.
The report is intended for employers, human resources professionals, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practitioners, business leaders, policymakers, labour organizations, and accessibility professionals. It is particularly relevant for federally regulated employers but provides guidance applicable to organizations across sectors.
The resource should be used when organizations are developing accessibility plans, reviewing recruitment and retention practices, implementing DEI strategies, or preparing to meet accessibility standards and legislative requirements. It is especially useful for organizations seeking practical guidance on creating inclusive workplaces and addressing systemic barriers faced by people with disabilities.
A key contribution of the report is the introduction of the Four Pillars of Accessible and Inclusive Employment: Commitment, Readiness, Recruitment, and Retention. These pillars provide a practical framework for assessing organizational capacity, identifying barriers, and implementing continuous improvements that support the successful recruitment, inclusion, and advancement of employees with disabilities.
