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On International Day for Persons with Disabilities, PSAC reaffirms its commitment to building disability-inclusive workplaces and communities where workers of diverse abilities can fully participate, lead with dignity, and have a real say in decisions that affect their lives.
This day, designated by the United Nations, promotes the rights, dignity, and full participation of persons with disabilities in all areas of life. This year’s theme, “fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social Progress,” reminds us that there is no real social or economic progress without the inclusion and leadership of people with disabilities.
PSAC is calling on the federal government to increase funding for workplace accessibility and accommodation, so workers with disabilities have the tools and supports they need to access barrier-free environments where they can fully participate and lead.
Systemic barriers and the need for real investment
Canada uses a social model of disability, which focuses on the barriers created by attitudes, rules, and spaces that are not accessible. These barriers are built into workplaces and institutions and can push workers with disabilities into financial insecurity and poverty.
Laws like the Accessible Canada Act, and the work of Accessibility Standards Canada, are steps in the right direction. PSAC is proud to have participated in the creation of the employment standard, which looks not only at workplace accommodations for workers, but also looks at improving outcomes for job seekers and career development. But these changes still don’t fix big, long-standing problems. Workers with disabilities are still hired less, and when they are hired, they often face unstable jobs and discrimination.
The federal Disability Tax Credit and the promised Canada Disability Benefit are supposed to help, but the support is too small, the eligibility criteria is too strict, and the applications are too hard. As a result, many people with disabilities and their families still live in poverty.
A recent report from the Office of Public Service Accessibility shows that departments are inconsistent in providing accommodation, slow to provide adaptive technology, and often do not listen to workers about the barriers they face. The report also warns that progress is slow and uneven, and that the office itself only has short-term funding, which sends a worrying message about the government’s priorities.
Lack of leadership and commitment
There is no minister in the federal cabinet whose main job is to focus on persons with disabilities, which makes leadership and accountability for accessibility and inclusion unclear. Federal Budget 2025 does not provide enough funding to make workplaces truly inclusive or continue the work of the Office of Public Service Accessibility, nor does it improve supports like the Canada Disability Benefit, so workers with disabilities are still left to fight poverty, discrimination, and systemic barriers alone. Disability justice cannot be reached with words and symbols alone; it requires real money, strong laws, and explicit action.
Send your letter to federal ministers today
PSAC’s work for disability justice
PSAC has been fighting for disability rights for many years, including winning employment equity in the federal public service and advancing accessibility and the duty to accommodate in workplaces and inside the union. This work is led by members with disabilities who organize, share their knowledge, and push employers and governments to do better. Members’ voices are essential to forcing this government to invest in real accessibility and inclusion.
Available resources
Step‑by‑step guidance and related tools on disability insurance claims (for members and reps):
