Employment Team

One of the most persistent challenges for people with varying types of disabilities is finding employment that will challenge, fulfil, and sustain them financially. The Employment team will examine progress that has been made and current challenges in terms of the supports, and opportunities available for people with disabilities in Canadian jurisdictions today, as well as current barriers for full integration into the workplace.

Scope of Research:

Over the course of this project the employment team will review policies and human rights cases involving employment for people with disabilities to look for barriers and common themes, research the incentives or disincentives for employers relating to retaining employees with disabilities, investigate areas where stigma may inhibit employment prospects, and research attitudes and strategies of employers who are successfully employing people with disabilities.

Current Research

Systematic Analysis of Literature

An in depth literature review on employment policies for people with disabilities in Canada and other jurisdictions is currently being conducted. The scan will identify standards, best practices, current issues, and gaps in knowledge that will be used in further stages of the team's research agenda. A synthesis of literature will be produced and disseminated.

Stigma in Wage Subsidy Programs

Language of current policy relating to wage subsidy programs for people with disabilities in Ontario is being analysed and the potential for stigma within these policies assessed. Findings regarding the impact of stigma on employment prospects will be shared with policy makers in relevant Provincial and Federal ministries.

For more details about the research plans of this team, please see the CDPA Five Year Program of Research document on the research page.

Completed Research

To view completed research of the CDPA, that is currently available, please click here

Members:

The Education team consists of:

Lyn Jongbloed (Academic co-lead)

Disability is not an individual functional issue, but a process and experience framed by particular contexts and experiences. Lyn's primary research interest is the interrelationship between disability and the social, economic and political environment. Her goal is to enhance understanding of these issues. Lyn co-edited a book with Mary Ann McColl, entitled "Disability and Social Policy in Canada," (2006) which examines policies related to employment, income, and housing of people with disabilities. She co-leads the employment team of the Disability Policy Alliance with Cathy Moore (CNIB)

Gordon Ryall

Gord Ryall is the Provincial Program Director for Employment and Training programs for the Canadian Hearing Society. His responsibiliites include managing all of the employment services in Ontario and educational support services for part-time students at colleges and universities within the Province. Gordon has over 30 years of experience in senior management positions within various branches of the Canadian Hearing Society and The Bob Rumball Centre for the Deaf, and has spent many years working the the areas of adult education, vocational training, and employment services. Gord is a past Executive Director of the Canadian Hearing Society.

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