Inclusive Design for Employment Access (IDEA) aims to revolutionize the traditional approach to increasing the employment of persons with disabilities. Instead of solely focusing on job readiness, the six-year initiative will prioritize enhancing the capacity of employers and workplaces to recruit, hire, onboard, accommodate, train, mentor, and promote individuals with disabilities across all employment opportunities.
Inclusive Design for Employment Access (IDEA) aims to revolutionize the traditional approach to increasing the employment of persons with disabilities.
Instead of solely focusing on job readiness, the six-year initiative will prioritize enhancing the capacity of employers and workplaces to recruit, hire, onboard, accommodate, train, mentor, and promote individuals with disabilities across all employment opportunities.
Funded by the Canadian government's 'New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) Transformation Stream,’ the collaborative initiative involved over 40 academic, disability, employer, and labour organizations, serving on advisory committees and research teams.
"IDEA is about social innovation," said Dr. Emile Tompa, senior scientist from the Institute for Work & Health (IWH). "It aims to transform workplaces and labour markets, ensuring equal opportunities for careers, jobs, and work for both individuals with and without disabilities. This approach benefits employers, persons with disabilities, and Canadian society as a whole."
Statistics Canada's 2017 data revealed that persons with disabilities in Canada face significantly lower employment rates ‒ 59% compared to 80% among the general working-age population. Their average annual earnings of $34,000 are below the national average of $40,000.
