Affiliations: School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of
British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada | School of Health and Social Care, Coventry University,
Coventry, UK
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Lyn Jongbloed, PhD, Associate
Professor, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of British Columbia,
T325-2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 2B5. Tel.: +1 604 822 7409;
Fax: +1 604 822 7624; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: The British Columbia Paraplegic Association (BCPA) sought a research
partnership to evaluate where its activities should be focused. A survey of
members with disabilities of the BCPA included questions on employment and
identified three priorities related to employment. These were the need for
assistance in finding appropriate work, the impact of policies of government
and insurance agencies, and attitudes of employers. This paper examines the
social and political environment related to employment following spinal cord
injury in British Columbia, Canada. There is no coherent set of goals
underlying government employment and income programs in Canada. Incremental
development of particular employment and income programs during the
20th century led to a patchwork of policies and programs,
which deal with people differently according to the cause of their disability.
Federal and provincial governments have attempted to educate employers and
reduce barriers to employment of those with disabilities by focusing on
anti-discrimination legislation and individual rights (e.g. the Employment
Equity Act and the Canadian Human Rights Act). However, people with
disabilities face non-accommodating environments, inadequate income support,
lack of opportunities and little political influence which stem from an unfair
distribution of societal resources, not from discrimination. Joint efforts of
the BCPA and other disability organizations are likely to have the most impact
on legislative changes.
