Accessibility Statistics
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Welcome to the Accessibility Statistics Hub, a collaborative initiative between Employment and Social Development Canada and Statistics Canada to share data on accessibility with the Canadian public. Data are organized according to the 7 priority areas as set out in the Accessible Canada Act.
Find data on
Built environment
Communication
Design and delivery of programs and services
Employment
Information and communication technology
TransportationFeatures
Performance Indicator Framework for Accessibility Data
The Performance Indicator Framework (PIF) for Accessibility Data represents the Government of Canada's approach to measuring progress in the identification, removal, and prevention of barriers to accessibility over time. The PIF for Accessibility Data is guided by the Federal Data and Measurement Strategy. To date, performance indicators to measure the identification and removal of barriers related to the seven priority areas have been developed.
Employment
For measurement purposes, accessible employment means a barrier-free experience for people with disabilities in all phases of the employment journey from hiring, to progressing in their career, all the way to retirement.
Labour market opportunities
| Indicator | Percent | Data source |
|---|---|---|
| Employment rate for persons with disabilities aged 25 to 64 years, 2022 | 61.8 | Table 13-10-0377-01 |
| Proportion of employed persons with disabilities with full-time employment, 2022 | 78.9 | Table 13-10-0882-01 |
| Proportion of persons with disabilities who are self-employed, 2022 | 13.9 | Table 13-10-0883-01 |
| Proportion of persons with disabilities who do not work due to lack of available transportation, 2022 | 21.4 | Table 13-10-0888-01 |
| Proportion of employed persons with disabilities who are overqualified for their position, 2022 | 19.6 | Table 13-10-0890-01 |
| Proportion of persons with disabilities who are employed in involuntarily part-time work, 2022 | 34.3 | Table 13-10-0892-01 |
| Proportion of persons with disabilities who are discouraged workers, 2022 | 5.2 | Table 13-10-0891-01 |
| Proportion of persons with disabilities who have a difficulty changing jobs or securing a promotion due to their disability, 2022 | 39.2 | Table 13-10-0886-01 |
| Proportions of persons with disabilities who have attained a secondary or post-secondary certificate, degree, or diploma, 2022 | 79.7 | Table 13-10-0378-01 |
| Proportion of youth with disabilities not in employment, education or training | 19.6 | Table 13-10-0893-01 |
| Proportion of persons with disabilities who received workplace training paid for or provided by employer or company | 55.7 | Table 13-10-0885-01 |
| Proportion of employees with disabilities who are in unionized positions | 32.1 | Table 13-10-0884-01 |
| Indicator | 2022 constant dollars | Data source |
|---|---|---|
| Median employment income of working-age persons with disabilities | 34,600 | Table 11-10-0088-01 |
| Indicator | Percent | Data source |
|---|---|---|
| Unmet needs, required accessible features of the physical environment | 20.1E | Table 13-10-0894-01 |
| Unmet needs, required specialized transportation | 26.7E | Table 13-10-0894-01 |
| Unmet needs, required devices, support services or modifications | 46.3 | Table 13-10-0894-01 |
| E - Use with caution | ||
Work potential
| Indicator | Number of persons | Data source |
|---|---|---|
| Proportion of persons with disabilities with work potential | 741,280 | Table 13-10-0895-01 |
Workplace accommodations
| Indicator | Percent | Data source |
|---|---|---|
| Persons with disabilities whose required workplace accommodations have been provided, 2022 | 64.6 | Table 13-10-0896-01 |
| Proportion of persons with disabilities who feel uncomfortable asking for accommodations, 2022 | 42.2E | Table 13-10-0887-01 |
| E - Use with caution | ||
Employment Equity
| Indicator | Percent | Data source |
|---|---|---|
| Proportion of federal sector employees with disabilities as a percentage of labour market availability, 2017 | 9.1 | Employment Equity Act: Annual Report 2022 |
| Proportion of federal sector new hires who are persons with disabilities | 2.6 | Employment Equity Act: Annual Report 2022 |
| Proportion of persons with disabilities whose federal sector position was terminated | 3.0 | Employment Equity Act: Annual Report 2022 |
| Proportion of federal sector employees with disabilities in permanent full-time position, 2021 | 4.4 | Employment Equity Act: Annual Report 2022 |
| Promotion rate for federal sector employees with disabilities, 2021 | 4.9 | Employment Equity Act: Annual Report 2022 |
| Indicator | Number of persons | Data source |
|---|---|---|
| Net change in number of persons with disabilities employed within the federal sector, 2021 | -529 | Employment Equity Act: Annual Report 2022 |
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
For measurement purposes, accessible ICT means barrier-free access to information and communication technologies like smart phones, computers, television, assistive devices and so on for people with disabilities.
ICT assistive aids, devices, and technologies
| Indicator | Number of persons | Percent | Data source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Persons with disabilities who have required ICT assistive aids, devices, and technologies, 2022 | 2,535,950 | 66.0 | Table: 13-10-0897-01 |
| Persons with disabilities who do not have required ICT-related aids and assistive devices due to cost, 2022 | 637,710 | 73.9 | Table: 13-10-0898-01 |
Access to internet
| Indicator | Number of persons | Percent | Data source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Persons with disabilities who have access to broadband internet, 2022 | 6,776,540 | 85.4 | Table 13-10-0889-01 |
Built Environment
For measurement purposes, accessible built environment means barrier-free access to indoor and outdoor spaces where persons with disabilities live, work, and play.
Barrier to accessibility in public spaces
| Indicator | Percent | Data source |
|---|---|---|
| Proportion of persons with disabilities who experience barriers to accessibility in public spaces | 56.3 | Table 13-10-0927-01 |
Communications, Other than ICT
For measurement purposes, accessible communications, other than ICT, means barrier-free communication for persons with disabilities.
Barrier to accessibility to communication
| Indicator | Percent | Data source |
|---|---|---|
| Proportion of persons with disabilities who experience barriers to communication | 47.8 | Table 13-10-0929-01 |
Programs and Services
For measurement purposes, accessible programs and services means barrier-free access to programs and services for persons with disabilities.
Barrier to accessibility in programs and services
| Indicator | Percent | Data source |
|---|---|---|
| Proportion of persons with disabilities who experience barriers when accessing programs and services | 48.4 | Table 13-10-0928-01 |
Infographics
Infographics provide quick overviews to help you understand key information from surveys and other data collection activities.
Analysis
Find Statistics Canada analysis on accessibility and disability at Statistics by subject: Disability.
Canadian Survey on Disability: Data Visualization tool
- Explore a data visualization tool on barriers to accessibility experienced by persons with disabilities based on data from the 2022 Canadian Survey on Disability.
- Explore a data visualization tool on disability rates by age and sex for provinces and territories based on data from the 2017 Canadian Survey on Disability.
Additional information related to accessibility
Legislation, regulations, and standards
Find out more information about regulations, policies, and standards related to accessibility for persons with disabilities.
Legislation
- Accessible Canada Act
- Ontario: Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
- Manitoba: Accessibility for Manitobans Act
- British Columbia: Accessible British Columbia Act
- Quebec: Act to secure handicapped persons in the exercise of their rights with a view to achieving social, school and workplace integration (Quebec)
- Newfoundland and Labrador: An Act Respecting Accessibility in the Province
- Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia Accessibility Act
- Saskatchewan: The Accessible Saskatchewan Act
- New Brunswick: New Brunswick Accessibility Act (2024)
Regulations and policies
- Accessible Canada Regulations
- Accessible Transportation Planning and Reporting Regulations
- Broadcasting and Telecom Regulatory Policy: Accessibility of Telecommunications and Broadcasting Services
- The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Accessibility Reporting Regulations
- Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations
Standards
- CSA/ASC B651.2:25 - Accessible design for self-service interactive devices including automated banking machines
- Accessible design for the built environment (CSA/ASC B651 Standard)
- CAN/ASC-1.1:2024 – Employment- Accessibility Standards Canada: About us
- CAN/ASC - EN 301 549:2024 Accessibility requirements for ICT products and services
- CSA Z301:24 - Equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in apprenticeship programs