The reality of people with disabilities in figures

16% of the population of Quebec was disabled according to the latest official data from 2017. Today, we can say that this is nearly one in five people. The disability can be physical, sensory, intellectual or psychological: vision, hearing, mobility, flexibility, dexterity, pain, learning, development, mental health and memory.

The spectrum is therefore very broad: it includes severe and mild disabilities, visible or not. And yet, more than 35% of them have filed complaints for discrimination or harassment each year since 2014. This is also the most common reason for complaint, even before ethnic origin, criminal record or age. And half of the cases concerned discrimination at work…

More than 15% of disabled people of working age are unemployed. That is three times more than the rest of the population (the current unemployment rate is 4%)! However, among these, a third can work, with slight limitations in the amount or type of work: that is more than 100,000 disabled people available on the job market.

Many entrepreneurs experience problems related to hiring reliable and competent employees. However, thousands of people with disabilities represent very interesting potential candidates. If you are looking for workers motivated to contribute to the success of your business, consider all the advantages of hiring a person with a disability. You will contribute to a healthy and positive economy on a human level. » Danièle Henkel, spokesperson for the Inclusive Business, Business of the Future campaign for the Office des personnes handicapées du Québec (OPHQ)

Overcoming prejudices

Victims of prejudice and reluctance, too often underemployed, disabled people are still the great forgotten of the world of work. It was long believed that unemployment and underemployment of disabled people were due to their physical or mental limitations, but the reality is quite different. We often think that a disability is completely debilitating, visible and permanent. However, 80% of disabilities are in reality invisible ! All disabilities can find their place in the company: we must focus on abilities rather than disabilities!

A disabled employee is not a hindrance to productivity. "When a disabled person enters the job market in a job that suits them, with tasks that match their skills, there is no difference in performance with non-disabled people." (Acting for the right to work of disabled people, Fonds des Travailleurs du Québec FTQ)

On the contrary, studies show that they are highly motivated, punctual, efficient and conscientious employees, willing and loyal. According to the International Labour Office , people with disabilities can be not only just as productive as any other employee, but sometimes even more qualified for jobs that require a high degree of honesty, integrity and attention to detail.

Furthermore, disabled people are not more sick or absent during the year than others, and they are even generally more punctual. What is more, "the statistics prove it: a disabled person does not present a greater risk of workplace accidents, either for themselves or for others. They even have fewer workplace accidents, because they are more careful!" (FTQ)

The various levels of government offer subsidies to companies that hire people with disabilities. This is also part of corporate social responsibility (CSR). But beyond the rhetoric, it is not an act of charity: they must hire a person who has the skills and know-how required to fill the position in question. The question is not: "For what position will I recruit a person with a disability?", but rather: "What skills does my company need for this position?". Being open to all profiles means giving yourself the chance to recruit the right person. Skills first!

Not only do we need to change the way society and employers view things, to break down the prejudices that still exist, but we also need to improve access to training so that people with disabilities can become increasingly qualified and can better integrate into the job market and develop professionally. It is also about simplifying the process, for employers and job seekers alike, so that companies can reach the entire available pool of skilled workers with disabilities. This is the subject of our next article.