FEDERAL DISABILITY REPORT T h e G o v e r n m e n t of Canada’s ANNUAL 2010 REPORT o n D i s a b i l i t y Issues ISSD-001-11-10 You can order this publication by contacting: Publications Services Human Resources and Skills Development Canada 140 Promenade du Portage Phase IV, 12th Floor Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0J9 Fax: 819-953-7260 Online: www12.hrsdc.gc.ca This document is available on demand in alternate formats (large print, Braille, audio cassette, audio CD, e-text diskette, e-text CD or DAISY) by contacting 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232). If you use a teletypewriter (TTY), call 1-800-926-9105. © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2010 Paper Cat. No.: HS61-1/2010 ISBN: 978-1-100-52363-7 PDF Cat. No.: HS61-1/2010E-PDF ISBN: 978-1-100-16832-6 The Government of Canada’s Annual Report on Disability Issues MessaGE from THE MINister The Government of Canada has a longstanding commitment to uphold and protect the rights of people with disabilities and to help them participate fully in society. We are determined to remove obstacles and create opportunities for people with disabilities. The 2010 Federal Disability Report is the Government of Canada’s eighth annual report on disability issues in Canada. This year’s report explores the connections between accessibility and the elements of life that are key to ensuring that Canadians with disabilities are able to achieve the highest quality of life possible. The Government reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to supporting people with disabilities on March 11, 2010, when Canada ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Ratification of this convention is the result of extensive collaboration with many representatives of the disability community and with our partners in the provinces and territories. Together, we’ve done a great deal to ensure that Canadians with disabilities will be able to reach their full potential. Our government continues to help address the needs of people with disabilities by investing annually in programs such as the Registered Disability Savings Plan, the Disability component of the Social Development Partnerships Program, Canada Pension Plan Disability, the Enabling Accessibility Fund, the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities, labour market agreements for persons with disabilities, and post-secondary education assistance measures for students with disabilities. We also support the financial security of people with disabilities through a range of tax measures, including the Disability Tax Credit, the First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit and the Working Income Tax Benefit disability supplement. Through these initiatives and investments, the Government of Canada will continue to work with our partners across the country to ensure that Canadians with disabilities have opportunities to excel in their communities. The Honourable Diane Finley, P.C., M.P. Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development 2010 FEDERAL DISABILITY REPORT | i 2010 Federal Disability Report ABOUT THE COVER Left photo: British Columbia Easter Seals Camps provide free overnight summer camping experiences for children and teens with physical and/or mental disabilities. They operate three accessible camp locations: Camp Shawnigan on Vancouver Island, Camp Squamish located north of Vancouver, and Camp Winfield in the Okanagan Valley. Every summer over 800 kids with disabilities attend these camps and have a great week. Featured in this photograph are staff member Navi Bhatti and camper Corinne Eisenstein. More information about B.C. Easter Seals Camps can be found at www.eastersealscamps.ca. (Photo courtesy of B.C. Easter Seals Camps) Middle photo: This photograph was taken at Propeller Dance’s launch event in 2008. Based in Ottawa, Propeller Dance provides inclusive, integrated and accessible dance training, education and public performance opportunities to children, youth and adults with and without disabilities. Pictured (from left to right) are Alan Shain, Renata Soutter, Jessie Huggett, Robert Chartier, Shara Weaver and Christopher Wheeler. Propeller Dance is co-directed by Shara Weaver and Renata Soutter. For more information about Propeller Dance, visit www.propellerdance.com. (Photo courtesy of Propeller Dance) Right photo: This photograph shows Lauren Woolstencroft skiing during the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Lauren was born without legs below the knees and with her left arm missing below the elbow. She began skiing at age 4 and has represented Canada at the 2002, 2006 and 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. Lauren won five gold medals at the 2010 Winter Paralympics (for giant slalom, slalom, super giant slalom, downhill skiing and super combined), setting the record for Canadian winter Paralympians and Olympians. More information about Lauren can be found at www.paralympic.ca/en/athletes-detail.html?profileid=37979. (Photo courtesy of the Canadian Paralympic Committee and Kevin Bogetti-Smith) | ABOUT THE COVER ii The Government of Canada’s Annual Report on Disability Issues TABLE OF CONTENTS Message from the Minister ........................................................................................... i About the cover ............................................................................................................. ii Charts .............................................................................................................................1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................3 Overview ........................................................................................................................4 Chapter 1: Standard of living .........................................................................................7 Chapter 2: Health .........................................................................................................15 Chapter 3: Learning .....................................................................................................27 Chapter 4: Employment ...............................................................................................39 Chapter 5: Community participation ............................................................................54 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................63 Glossary .......................................................................................................................64 Appendices – Federal disability spending for the 2009–2010 fiscal year A – Inclusion and supports ..................................................................................70 B – Income supports ...........................................................................................81 C – Learning, skills and employment ..................................................................84 D – Health and well-being ...................................................................................90 E – Tax measures ................................................................................................96 2010 FEDERAL DISABILITY REPORT | iii The Government of Canada’s Annual Report on Disability Issues CHarts Chapter 1 1.1: Adults living in households below the after-tax LICO by age group and disability status, 2006 – page 8 1.2: Average employment income by occupation, disability status and gender for working-age adults, 2006 – page 10 1.3: Unmet needs for residential accessibility features for adults with disabilities, 2006 – page 13 Chapter 2 2.1: Frequency of visits to physicians in 2005–2006 by severity of disability for adults – page 16 2.2: Visits to various types of health professionals at least once in 2005–2006 for adults with disabilities – page 17 2.3: Average out-of-pocket costs for visits to health professionals in 2005–2006 by severity of disability for adults who had out-of-pocket costs – page 18 2.4: Reasons for unmet health care and social services needs by severity of disability for adults, 2006 – page 19 2.5: Regular medication usage by severity of disability for adults, 2006 – page 20 2.6: Average out-of-pocket costs for regularly taken medication by severity of disability for adults who had out-of-pocket costs, 2006 – page 21 2.7: Average out-of-pocket costs for regularly taken medication by reimbursement sources for adults with disabilities, 2006 – page 22 3.1: Report card performance by severity of disability for older children, 2006 – page 29 3.2: School supports used by severity of disability for older children, 2006 – page 30 3.3: School enrolment in 2005–2006 by severity of disability for youth – page 31 3.4: Effects of disability on education by severity of disability for youth, 2006 – page 32 3.5: Type of education pursued by gender and severity of disability for youth, 2006 – page 34 3.6: Highest level of education attained by gender and severity of disability for younger and older working-age adults, 2006 – page 36 2010 FEDERAL DISABILITY REPORT | 1 2010 Federal Disability Report Chapter 4 4.1: Representation rates and availability rates for working-age adults with disabilities – page 40 4.2: Representation rates in selected sectors within the private sector for working-age adults with disabilities, 2007 – page 41 4.3: Labour force participation rates by age group and severity of disability for working-age adults, 2006 – page 42 4.4: Employment rates by age group and severity of disability for working-age