Disability stigmatization as a barrier to employment equity for legally-blind Canadians
Authors: Cecilia Benoit, Mikael Jansson, Martha Jansenberger, and Rachel Phillips
Overview
Abstract (English)
Canada has expressed a strong commitment to the rights of its citizens against discrimination, including those with disabilities. A question remains whether Canadians with disabilities are able to practice these rights. Our mixed-methods study sheds light on the situation of one important sub-group of people with disabilities – those who are legally blind. Our survey results show that the labour-force participation rate for this population is very low compared with those without disabilities, and also lower than the rate for persons with other disabilities. Legally-blind working-age Canadians have significantly higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, and perceive major barriers to employment. In-person interviews reveal the negative impact of one major barrier – disability stigmatization – on accessing meaningful employment and other societal assets. We discuss the implications of these findings and suggest policy directions.
Abstract (French)
Please note that abstracts only appear in the language of the publication and might not have a translation.
Details
Type | Journal article |
---|---|
Author | Cecilia Benoit, Mikael Jansson, Martha Jansenberger, and Rachel Phillips |
Publication Year | 2013 |
Title | Disability stigmatization as a barrier to employment equity for legally-blind Canadians |
Volume | 28 |
Journal Name | Disability and Society |
Number | 7 |
Pages | 970-983 |
Publication Language | English |
- Cecilia Benoit
- Cecilia Benoit, Mikael Jansson, Martha Jansenberger, and Rachel Phillips
- Disability stigmatization as a barrier to employment equity for legally-blind Canadians
- Disability and Society
- 28
- 2013
- 7
- 970-983