Government of Canada 2019 Pilot Public Opinion Research Survey on Accessibility

OVERVIEW OF RESULTS – GENERAL POPULATION

• Nearly three-quarters (72%) of the general population would say they understand quite well the idea of what a disability is (i.e. they rated their understanding at least an 8 on a scale from 0 to 10). Using the same 10-point scale, 47% would say they understand quite well the types of barriers that Canadians with a disability may encounter.

• When asked, without any examples, to describe the top three barriers respondents believed people with disabilities face, the results reveal a wide range of barriers. The most common types described included the following:

  • The most common types of barriers described were related to physical accessibility, such as access to buildings (39%).

  • At 24%, general mobility-related barriers were described while 19% specifically identified barriers to transportation or public transportation.

  • Roughly 18% mentioned barriers related to access to services.

• A majority of respondents (57%) indicated having heard of “attitude barriers” before participating in this study. For instance, people with disabilities are sometimes treated badly or differently because of behaviours, perceptions, and assumptions that other people have. This is called an “attitude barrier.”

• Respondents who were asked how often they witnessed different types of accessibility-related barriers, witnessed employment-related barriers the most. Statistics for each type of disability are as follows:

  • As for employment-related barriers, 24% indicated always or often witnessing a barrier to finding meaningful work, 21% witnessed a barrier to moving up in an organization, 21% witnessed a barrier to having access to supports or workplace accommodations, and 16% witnessed a barrier to being hired.

  • In terms of transportation-related barriers, 11% always or often witnessed barriers to using municipal public-transit, 10% to using taxis and ridesharing services, 5% to using school transportation, 2% to using ferries, 3% to using VIA rail or interprovincial trains, 6% to travel by air, and 4% to using buses that cross borders.

  • Nearly one in five respondents (17%) have always or often witnessed built environment-related barriers, i.e. barriers that limited someone’s ability to move in and around public buildings and spaces.

  • Less than one tenth of respondents have always or often witnessed Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-related barriers, including: website accessibility (7%), wireless service accessibility (7%), using self-service technology in a public space (6%), watching cable (5%), watching a show on a streaming service (5%), or watching a video on the Internet (6%).

  • Program or service delivery barriers are reported to be always or often witnessed in terms of the accessibility of a program/service provided by a company/an organization (7%), or the accessibility of a government program or service (6%).

• A minority (15%) have seen, read, or heard anything about the Government of Canada’s Bill C-81 (The Accessible Canada Act) and its purpose.¹ When asked to explain, without any examples, what they remember about this Act, 20% who remember the Bill explain it will generally support or assist people with disabilities and 16% explain it will increase accessibility.

• Half believe their province or territory (50%) has accessibility legislation or an accessibility strategy or plan and a similar proportion (55%) believe their municipality has accessibility by laws, strategies, policies or programs.

OVERVIEW OF RESULTS – PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

• When first asked if respondents identified themselves as a person with a disability, 74% agreed. To establish if the respondents “qualify” for the disabilities segment of the survey, respondents were presented a list of disabilities and directly asked if they have had each specific disability. If yes, then the difficulty and limitation as a result of the disability(ies) were then considered to screen participants to qualify for the persons with disabilities segment of the survey. Note that the types of disabilities listed here may not perfectly represent all persons with disabilities in Canada.

The disability screening revealed the following:

A graph with the data on the incidence of persons with different disabilities

Description: The horizontal bar graph presents the incidence of persons with 13 types of disabilities. The graph shows a set of two bars for each disability that represents the overall incidence, and the percentage of respondents who “always” or “often” feel the world around them limits their inclusion in society because of this disability. The data inferred from the graph is as follows: mobility - 55 percent (overall incidence), 54 percent (limits inclusion in society); pain or chronic pain disorder - 54 percent (overall incidence), 51 percent (limits inclusion in society); flexibility - 48 percent (overall incidence), 43 percent (limits inclusion in society); dexterity - 35 percent (overall incidence), 49 percent (limits inclusion in society); mental health-related - 33 percent (overall incidence), 41 percent (limits inclusion in society); seeing or visual impairment - 30 percent (overall incidence), 37 percent (limits inclusion in society); memory - 29 percent (overall incidence), 36 percent (limits inclusion in society); hearing or hearing impairment - 25 percent (overall incidence), 52 percent (limits inclusion in society); learning - 21 percent (overall incidence), 50 percent (limits inclusion in society); communication or communication disorder - 19 percent (overall incidence), 55 percent (limits inclusion in society); speech - 12 percent (overall incidence), 43 percent (limits inclusion in society); developmental or intellectual disabilities - 10 percent (overall incidence), 59 percent (limits inclusion in society); and language - 9 percent (overall incidence), 47 percent (limits inclusion in society).

• Nearly two-thirds of respondents (63%) used equipment, an aid or a support to help them with their daily activities. Among these respondents, a very wide range of “supports” are used, the most common ones being a cane or walker (32%), a wheelchair or mobility scooter (32%), and a hearing aid (19%).

• One in ten (11%) feel they “always” experience “attitude barriers”, 30% feel they “often” encounter them and another 28% “sometimes” encounter them.

• From a communication standpoint, challenges vary according to the form of communication – more specifically:

  • 23% feel communicating over the phone is difficult

  • 21% feel writing down information is difficult

  • 16% feel in person or face to face communications are difficult

  • 14% feel reading and understanding written materials is difficult

  • 13% feel communicating over the Internet is difficult

• Respondents who were asked how often they experienced the following types of accessibility-related barriers, experienced employment-related barriers the most. Statistics for each type of disability are as follows:

  • As for employment-related barriers, 25% indicated always or often experiencing a barrier to finding meaningful work, 24% witnessed a barrier to having access to supports or workplace accommodations, 23% witnessed a barrier to moving up in an organization, and 21% witnessed a barrier to being hired.

  • In terms of transportation-related barriers, 20% always or often experienced barriers to using municipal public-transit, 19% to travelling by air, 17% to using taxis and ridesharing services, 6% to using ferries, 9% to using VIA rail or interprovincial trains, and 8% to using buses that cross borders.

  • Over one quarter of respondents (30%) have always or often experienced built environment-related barriers, i.e. barriers that limited someone’s ability to move in and around public buildings and spaces.

  • Less than one fifth of respondents have always or often experienced Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-related barriers, including: website accessibility (12%), wireless service accessibility (10%), using self-service technology in a public space (16%), watching cable (11%), watching a show on a streaming service (10%), or watching a video on the Internet (14%).

  • Program or service delivery barriers are reported to be always or often experienced in terms of the accessibility of a program/service provided by a company/an organization (20%), or the accessibility of a government program or service (17%).

• Two in five respondents (41%) have seen, read, or heard anything about the Government of Canada’s Bill C-81 and its purpose. When asked to explain, unprompted, what they remember about this Act, 17% who remember the Bill explain it will generally support or assist people with disabilities and 17% explain it will increase accessibility.

• Nearly half believe their province or territory (45%) has accessibility legislation or an accessibility strategy or plan and a similar proportion (45%) believe their municipality has accessibility by laws, strategies, policies or programs.

• Over the past 12 months, 42% of respondents have tried to access information on any government programs or services related to accessibility or disability.

  • Among these respondents, 69% sought out provincial information, 57% federal information, and 36% municipal information.

  • Generally, a majority felt the experience was either “very difficult” (22%) or “difficult” (37%) whereas 14% felt the experience was easy.

• When it comes to Government of Canada employees providing equal access to services and programs to people with different disabilities, including communication disabilities, 44% believe “much more” needs to be done in this area and 26% believe “a little more” needs to be done.

Types of Barriers Canadians with a Disability May Encounter – Examples from Persons without Disabilities

Survey participants with a minimum understanding³ of the types of barriers that Canadians with a disability may encounter were asked to describe what the top-three barriers could be for this segment of the population. Participants were not provided any list from which they could choose – the question was open-ended, and results are as follows:

• Over 3 in 5 respondents (62%) mentioned a type of physical barrier including access to buildings, access to services, wheelchair access, washrooms or public washrooms, or other type of barrier.

• Nearly 2 in 5 (38%) mentioned mobility-related barriers related to public transportation or other type of transportation in general.

• Roughly one quarter (26%) think Canadians with disabilities face social barriers such as ableism and discrimination, 24% think Canadians with disabilities face financial barriers, including employment opportunities, housing and cost of living; and 23% think they face communication barriers, such as vision and blindness, hearing and deafness, or other type of communication barrier.

• To a lesser extent, 16% of respondents think other barriers are related to mental health, including access to general mental health resources and access to homecare.

• Roughly 1 in 10 feel Canadians with disabilities face educational barriers for schooling, and an additional 10% do not know what barriers these Canadians could face.

These results are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the barriers faced by persons with disabilities – rather, respondents were asked to list what they considered to be the top-3 barriers faced.

A survey result depicts the list of top barriers for disabled persons, by persons without disabilities

Description: In the survey result, the top barriers for persons with disabilities, by persons without disabilities are listed. The barriers are surveyed as per the list of categories, physical accessibility barrier, mobility-related barrier, social barrier, financial barrier, and communication barrier. The data inferred from this survey are as follows: 62 percent of persons without disabilities mentioned some sort of physical accessibility barriers. The different physical accessibility barriers are as follows : physical access or access to buildings - 39 percent, access to services - 18 percent, wheelchair access - 8 percent, washrooms or public washrooms - 3 percent, and accessibility (general) - 13 percent. 38 percent mentioned some sort of mobility-related barrier that includes transportation or public transportation - 19 percent and mobility (general) - 24 percent. 26 percent mentioned some sort of social barrier that includes ableism or discrimination - 15 percent and social barriers (general) - 13 percent. 24 percent mentioned some sort of financial barrier that includes employment opportunities - 6 percent, housing - 3 percent, cost of living - 1 percent, and financial barriers (general) - 8 percent. 23 percent mentioned some sort of communication barrier that includes blindness or vision - 9 percent, deafness or hearing - 6 percent, and communication barriers (general) - 12 percent.

The continuation of the survey result lists the top barriers for persons with disabilities

Description: The survey results on healthcare barriers shows 16 percent of persons without disabilities mentioned some sort of healthcare barriers that includes mental health resources - 7 percent, access to homecare - 3 percent, and healthcare barriers (general) - 8 percent. Another 8 percent of persons mentioned some sort of education (schooling) barrier (general comment), 1 percent refused to answer, and 10 percent did not know or couldn’t think of any.

From a subgroup perspective, the following differences were noted:

• Respondents under 65 years are more likely to mention Canadians with disabilities face communication barriers, compared to older respondents.

• Women are more likely than men to perceive Canadians with disabilities face physical accessibility barriers.

• Regionally, Quebec respondents are the most likely among all provinces and territories to say Canadians with a disability face physical and general mobility barriers, the top-2 barriers identified overall.

• Respondents in Ontario also identify these two barriers for the disability segment, as well as healthcare.

• Those in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Nunavut are more likely to mention general mobility barriers, while those in Alberta are more likely than respondents in many other regions to not identify financial and healthcare barriers.

• Respondents in British Columbia are more likely to mention general mobility and healthcare barriers, while those in Atlantic Canada are also more likely to identify healthcare as a barrier.

Types of Barriers Encountered – Examples from Persons with Disabilities

After the survey section asking participants their experience with different types of specific barriers, they were asked to describe a few examples of the type of barriers that they had experienced in the last year. This was an open-ended question, giving respondents the opportunity to specify where and how these experiences happened.

Among the examples provided by respondents, common barriers that have been experienced include day-to-day physical barriers (30%) including access to buildings, wheelchair access, parking, stairs and handrails, washrooms/public washrooms, elevators or escalators, ability to do groceries, shopping or errands, walking difficulties due to snow or ice, among other barriers.

One fifth of respondents (20%) also say they have experienced communication barriers, including using the phone due to a hearing disability, reading public signage due to sight disability, access to the internet or apps, among other communication barriers.

Roughly another fifth (17%) say they have experienced transportation related mobility barriers such as using buses or other public transportation, air travel, cabs or ridesharing, or driving.

Over a tenth say they have experienced financial barriers (15%) and social barriers (14%) such as special considerations or treatment at work, access to government support or programs, employment opportunities, affordable housing, general understanding and empathy, ableism and discrimination, or anxiety or problems in crowds.

Less than 1 in 10 respondents say they also have experienced healthcare barriers (9%), education (3%), or other types of barriers including access to healthcare, physical access to hospitals, options for dietary restrictions, access to schooling, special considerations or treatment at school, environmental sensitivities (to scents, chemicals, etc.), electro-sensitivity (to Wi-Fi, radio frequencies, etc.), or simply the barrier of dealing with their disability in daily life.

A figure listing barriers experienced by persons with disabilities in the past year

Description: The chart depicts the types of barriers experienced by persons with disabilities in the past year, and which shows the following information: 30 percent of persons with disabilities mentioned some sort of physical or environmental barrier. These barriers are as follows: physical access or access to buildings - 15 percent, wheelchair access (including ramps or doorways) - 10 percent, parking - 6 percent, stairs or handrails - 5 percent, washrooms or public washrooms - 5 percent, elevators or escalators - 3 percent, groceries or shopping or errands - 3 percent, walking difficulties due to snow or ice - 2 percent, and other accessibility barrier - 7 percent. 20 percent of persons with disabilities mentioned some sort of communication barrier. These barriers are as follows: hearing or using telephone - 10 percent, vision or reading public signage - 6 percent, access to internet or applications - 4 percent, and other communication barriers - 5 percent. 17 percent of persons with disabilities mentioned some sort of mobility-related barrier. These barriers are as follows: buses or other public transportation - 8 percent, air travel - 4 percent, cabs or ridesharing - 2 percent, driving - 1 percent, and other mobility barriers - 6 percent. 15 percent of persons with disabilities mentioned some sort of financial barrier. These barriers are as follows: special considerations or treatment at work - 6 percent, access to government support or programs - 4 percent, employment opportunities - 4 percent, affordable housing - 2 percent, and other financial barriers - 3 percent.

The continuation of the types of barriers experienced by persons with disabilities in the past year

Description: The chart summarizing the types of barriers experienced by persons with disabilities in the past year shows the following information: 14 percent of persons with disabilities mentioned some sort of social barrier. These barriers are as follows: general understanding or empathy - 9 percent, ableism or discrimination - 4 percent, anxiety or problems in crowds - 1 percent, and other social barriers - 3 percent. 9 percent of persons with disabilities mentioned some sort of healthcare barrier. These barriers are as follows: access to healthcare - 5 percent, physical access or access to hospitals - 2 percent, dietary restrictions or options - less than 1 percent, and other healthcare barriers - 3 percent. 3 percent of persons with disabilities mentioned some sort of education barrier. These barriers are as follows: access to schooling - 2 percent, special considerations or treatment at school - 1 percent, and other education barriers - 1 percent. 11 percent of persons with disabilities mentioned some sort of other barriers that include: environmental sensitivity (examples: scents, chemicals) - 4 percent, daily difficulties or things are generally harder - 3 percent, electro-sensitivity (examples: wi-fi, radio frequencies) - less than 1 percent, and other - 3 percent. 2 percent of persons with disabilities mentioned no barriers, 49 percent refused to answer, and 25 percent did not know.

In terms of subgroup differences, the following are noted:

• When asked to provide examples of barriers they have encountered, the younger respondents are the more inclined they are to present financial (18% of respondents under 65 years old vs. 5% of respondents at least 65), social (18% of respondents 18 to 34, 15% among those 35 to 64, and 10% among those 65 or older) and educational barriers (6% of respondents 18 to 34, 3% among those 35 to 64, and 1% among those 65 or older) compared to older respondents. The latter are more likely to highlight mobility impairments compared to their younger counterparts (18% among respondents 65 or older, 17% among those 35 to 64, and 12% among respondents 18 to 34 years old).

• Women are more likely than men to describe social (15% vs. 11%) and healthcare barriers (10% vs. 6%).

• Regionally, Nova Scotians are more likely than residents in other regions to describe financial barriers (20%), while Manitobans are more likely to talk about communication (33%) and social barriers (18%), and British Columbians are more likely to highlight accessibility (43%) and mobility (21%) barriers. Healthcare barriers are least mentioned in Manitoba (5%), compared to other provinces and territories.

Attitude Barriers

Respondents were specifically asked if they were aware of attitude barriers based on the following definition:

Sometimes people with disabilities are treated badly or differently because of ideas and beliefs – or attitudes – that other people have about disability. This is called an ‘attitude barrier.’

As seen in the previous section, unprompted, roughly 26% of respondents seemed to recognize “social barriers” as part of their top-3 set of barriers faced by persons with disabilities. When specifically prompted, over half of survey participants (57%) say they are aware of “attitude barriers.”

No significant differences are observed at a regional level, however, other significant differences include:

• Respondents at least 65 years or older are more likely to be aware of this barrier, compared to those under 35 (59% vs. 56%).

• Women are also more aware than men (63% vs. 51%).

General population awareness of attitude barriers

Description: The horizontal bar graph depicts the survey results on the awareness of attitude barriers among the general population. The data from the graph are as follows: The percentage of respondents answered Yes are 57, the percentage of respondents answered No is 42, and the percentage of respondents refused to answer or don’t know is 1%.

Employment Barriers

Survey respondents were asked how often they had witnessed situations related to employment barriers due to a lack of accessibility. Barriers to employment could be interview processes that do not accommodate different disabilities (i.e. vision impairment, deafness, learning disabilities etc.), or there are no accommodations or inadequate accommodations provided to people with disabilities at work (i.e. screen readers, sign language interpretation) or people with disabilities aren’t able to get jobs that match their skills due to attitude barriers.

Roughly one in five respondents always or often witnessed a barrier to finding meaningful work for a person with a disability (23%), to moving up in an organization (21%), to having access to supports or workplace accommodation (21%), or to being hired (16%).

Notable significant differences include:

• Compared to respondents 18 to 34 years old, respondents at least 65 years old are more likely to say they have witnessed these types of barriers.

• Respondents in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Nunavut are more likely than those in Ontario or Alberta to say they have witnessed a barrier to finding meaningful work or to moving up in an organization for a person with a disability.

Employment barriers for a person with a disability witnessed by general population

Description: In the survey, the following are the different employment barriers witnessed for a person with a disability: 1. Barrier to find meaningful work: 3 percent of people witness it always, 21 percent witness it often, 21 percent witness it sometimes, 12 percent witness it rarely, 24 percent of people never witness it, 15 percent not applicable, 5 percent of people refused to answer or don’t know. 2. Barrier to moving up in an organization: 3 percent of people witness it always, 18 percent witness it often, 20 percent witness it sometimes, 9 percent witness it rarely, 28 percent of people never witness it, 16 percent not applicable, 7 percent of people refused to answer or don’t know. 3. Barrier to having access to supports or workplace accommodations: 2 percent of people witness it always, 19 percent witness it often; 22 percent witness it sometimes, 14 percent witness it rarely, 27 percent of people never witness it, 12 percent not applicable, 4 percent of people refused to answer or don’t know. 4. Barrier to being hired: 2 percent of people witness it always, 14 percent witness it often, 21 percent witness it sometimes, 11 percent witness it rarely, 30 percent of people never witness it, 18 percent not applicable; 4 percent of people refused to answer or don’t know.

Barriers Related to the Built Environment

Examples of barriers related to the built environment are often perceived as physical barriers and the need for ramps, elevators, and accessible washrooms. However, all disabilities need to be considered when looking at the accessibility of buildings and public spaces. This broader recognition of how persons with varying impairments or limitations interact with their built surroundings is key to the concept of “universal design”.

In terms of barriers that limited someone’s ability to move in and around public buildings and spaces, 17% of respondents say they witness these types of barriers either always or often. Women are more likely than men to say they witness these types of barriers (21% vs. 12%).

A figure depicts results among the general population who witness barriers in public spaces and areas for persons with a disability

Description: The chart depicts the percentage of general population who witness barriers experienced by persons with a disability in public spaces and areas. The data inferred from the chart is as follows: 1 percent of people always witness this issue, 16 percent of people often witness this issue, 32 percent of people sometimes witness this issue, 25 percent of people rarely witness this issue, 21 percent of people never witness this issue, 4 percent not applicable and the rest of the people refused to answer or don’t know about the issue.

Transportation-Related Barriers

Transportation-related barriers were also explored with respondents. The Government of Canada regulates travel by airplane, rail and some bus and ferry services between provinces and territories and internationally. Most other travel within a city or a province, whether by bus, streetcar or train, is the responsibility of other levels of government.

Barriers to transportation could be a lack of accessible seating, additional space/seating for support persons or service animals, or visual and audio indicators of stops. For many of the specific types of barriers explored, important proportions of respondents could not provide an assessment since they don’t use the types or modes of transportation in question (for these cases, respondents had the choice to select not applicable).

Roughly one in ten respondents say they always or often witness a barrier for a person with a disability related to:

• The use of municipal public transit (11%),

• The use of taxis and ridesharing, such as Uber or Lyft (10%),

• Traveling by air, for example, at the airport, airplane, terminal, facilities, equipment, communication, or services (6%),

• Using school transportation (5%),

• Using buses in federal jurisdictions to cross borders, for example, between provinces and territories at the bus stations, on the bus, equipment, communication, or services (4%),

• Using VIA Rail or Interprovincial trains, for example, at the train station, the train, or equipment, communication or services (3%), or

• Using a ferry (2%).

Subgroup differences were sparse. Men are more likely than women to say they rarely or never have witnessed many of these transportation-related barriers.

A figure depicts general Population – Witnessing Transportation-Related Barriers for a Person with a Disability

Description: The horizontal stacked bar graph presents the experience with the barriers to transportation by persons with disabilities, as witnessed by the general population. The data inferred is shown for seven categories. 1. Barrier related to the use of municipal public transit: 2 percent of people witness it always, 9 percent witness it often, 17 percent witness it sometimes, 17 percent witness it rarely, 30 percent never witness it, 22 percent not applicable, 3 percent of people refused to answer or don’t know. 2. Barrier related to the use of taxis and ridesharing: 2 percent of people witness it always, 8 percent witness it often, 12 percent witness it sometimes, 11 percent witness it rarely, 31 percent never witness it; 27 percent not applicable, 9 percent of people refused to answer or don’t know. 3. Barrier related to travelling by air: 5 percent of people witness it often, 17 percent witness it sometimes, 18 percent witness it rarely, 38 percent never witness it; 17 percent not applicable, 5 percent of people refused to answer or don’t know. The percent for people who always witnessed is not available. 4. Barriers related to the use of school transportation: 4 percent of people witness it often, 11 percent witness it sometimes, 16 percent witness it rarely, 38 percent never witness it; 23 percent not applicable, 7 percent of people refused to answer or don’t know. The percentage of people who always witnessed is not available. 5. Barriers related to using buses that cross borders: 3 percent of people witness it often, 8 percent witness it sometimes, 9 percent witness it rarely, 32 percent never witness it; 36 percent not applicable, 12 percent of people refused to answer or don’t know. The percentage of people who always witnessed is not available. 6. Barrier related to the use of VIA Rail or interprovincial trains: 3 percent of people witness it often, 7 percent witness it sometimes, 9 percent witness it rarely, 33 percent never witness it; 37 percent not applicable, 11 percent of people refused to answer or don’t know. The percentage of people who always witness it is not available. 7. Barrier related to the use of ferries: 2 percent of people witness it often, 8 percent witness it sometimes, 9 percent witness it rarely, 35 percent never witness it; 35 percent not applicable, 11 percent of people refused to answer or don’t know. The percentage of people who always witness it is not available.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-Related Barriers

Six barriers related to the use of information and communication technology (ICT) were then explored. Barriers to ICTs could be information on a website that is difficult or impossible to access or use, read or understand either due to technology or the way the information is presented. Other examples of barriers are mobile handsets that can’t be accessed by people with dexterity or physical disabilities, or wireless plans that don’t take into consideration that people who are deaf primarily communicate by video.

Results reveal that fewer than one in ten respondents say they always or often witness someone with a disability facing a barrier with each of the types of technologies explored in this study, because these were not accessible to someone they know due to a disability. More specifically, respondents witnessed barriers to:

• Using a website or wireless service (7% respectively),

• Using self-service technology in a public place (6%),

• Watching a video on the internet, for example on YouTube, Facebook, other social media or websites (6%),

• Watching cable (5%), or

• Watching a show on a streaming service such as Netflix, AppleTV, Crave, Amazon Prime (5%).

• At least 2 in 5 respondents say they have never witnessed these situations.

Respondents in Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Nunavut are the most likely to have witnessed these situations, compared to those in other regions.

A figure depicts General population survey participants list various barriers with information and communication technology witnessed for a person with a disability

Description: The following are the different barriers with information and communication technology witnessed by the general population for persons with disabilities. 1. Using a website because it was not accessible: 6 percent of people witness it often, 11 percent witness it sometimes, 11 percent witness it rarely, 41 percent of people never witness it, 24 percent not applicable, 6 percent of people refused to answer or don’t know. The rest of the percentage of people (percentage value not mentioned) witness it always. 2. Using a wireless service because it was not accessible: 6 percent witness it often, 9 percent witness it sometimes, 12 percent witness it rarely, 44 percent of people never witness it, 23 percent not applicable, 6 percent of people refused to answer or don’t know. The rest of the percentage of people (percentage value not mentioned) witness it always. 3. Using self-service technology in a public place because it was not accessible: 5 percent witness it often, 13 percent witness it sometimes, 11 percent witness it rarely, 42 percent of people never witness it, 22 percent not applicable, 5 percent of people refused to answer or don’t know. The rest of the percentage of people (percentage value not mentioned) witness it always. 4. Watching a video on the internet because it was not accessible: 5 percent witness it often, 9 percent witness it sometimes, 10 percent witness it rarely, 46 percent of people never witness it, 23 percent not applicable, 6 percent of people refused to answer or don’t know. The rest of the percentage of people (percentage value not mentioned) witness it always. 5. Watching cable because it was not accessible: 4 percent witness it often, 7 percent witness it sometimes, 11 percent witness it rarely, 47 percent of people never witness it, 23 percent not applicable, 7 percent of people refused to answer or don’t know. The rest of the percentage of people (percentage value not mentioned) witness it always. 6. Watching a show on a streaming service because it was not accessible: 4 percent witness it often, 7 percent witness it sometimes, 9 percent witness it rarely, 46 percent of people never witness it, 25 percent not applicable, 7 percent of people refused to answer or don’t know. The rest of the percentage of people (percentage value not mentioned) witness it always.

Barriers Related to Program and Service Delivery

Few respondents say they always or often witness barriers when it comes to government or private sector program and/or service delivery. Barriers to program and service delivery could be negative attitudes or beliefs about what a person with a disability can or cannot do; a lack of training for service providers to be able to provide services to people in their preferred method of communication; or not having materials in accessible formations (i.e. braille, large print).

This study shows that 7% always or often witness a barrier for a person with a disability that impacts the accessibility of a program or service provided by a company or organization, and 6% always or often witness a barrier that impacts the accessibility of a government program or service.

Women are more likely than men to witness these situations at this frequency (8% vs. 5%). No specific regions seem to experience these situations more than others.

A figure depicts general population – Witnessing Barriers to Program and Service Delivery for a Person with a Disability

Description: A horizontal stacked bar graph presents the survey results for the two barriers witnessed by the general population. First barrier: “There was a barrier that impacted the accessibility of a program or service provided by a company or an organization.” People who witnessed it always - 6 percent, who witnessed often - 18 percent, who witnessed sometimes - 12 percent, who never witnessed - 37 percent, not applicable - 20 percent, and who refused to answer or don’t know - 6 percent. Second barrier: “There was a barrier that impacted the accessibility of a government program or service.” People who witnessed it always - 5 percent, who witnessed often - 13 percent, who witnessed sometimes - 11 percent, who never witnessed - 42 percent, not applicable - 22 percent, and who refused to answer or don’t know - 7 percent.

Mobility Disability

Over half (55%) of all survey participants with a disability say they have or have had a mobility disability. This was described as a physical disability that affects a person’s ability to move. Over 4 in 5 of these respondents (83%) say this disability always, often or sometimes limits their inclusion in society. Among those who say this happens rarely or never, 90% say they have at least some difficulty moving.

A figure depicts surve results of persons with Disabilities – Mobility (Unadjusted Incidence):

Description: The horizontal bar graph depicts the survey results among the person with disabilities having a mobility (unadjusted incidence) disability. The rate of people who answered Yes - 55 percent, No - 45 percent, and Refused to answer or don’t know - 1 percent.

A figure depicts the percentage persons with mobility disabilities feel limited inclusion in society due to the world around them

Description: The chart depicts the percentage of disabled persons who feel they are not included in society due to their mobility disabilities. The data inferred from the chart is as follows: 18 percent of persons always face this issue, 35 percent of persons often face this issue, 30 percent of persons face this issue sometimes, 10 percent of persons rarely face this issue, 6 percent of persons have never faced this issue, and less than 1 percent of persons prefer not to say.

A figure depicts the level of difficulty a person with a mobility disability has with their disability

Description: The chart depicts the percentage of persons who face difficulty with a mobility disability. The data inferred from the chart is as follows: 17 percent of persons require mobility aids, 13 percent of persons face a lot of difficulties, 61 percent of person fins some difficulty, 9 percent of people face no difficulty, and 1 percent of persons prefer not to answer.

Once the incidence is adjusted for this disability, 53% participants have this disability. The older respondents are, the more they seem to say they have mobility impairments, and the lower the income, the more respondents say they have a mobility disability. British Columbia and Nova Scotia have the highest proportion of respondents with this disability.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons with mobility disabilities with unadjusted incidence

Description: The horizontal bar graph depicts the survey results for people with a mobility disability (adjusted incidence). The data inferred is as follows: Persons who answered yes - 53 percent, persons who answered no - 45 percent, and persons who refuse to answer or don’t know - 1 percent.

Pain Disability

Over half (53%) of survey participants with a disability say they suffer from pain. This disability was described as a chronic pain disorder that affects a person’s ability to function due to pain. Four in five of these respondents (80%) say this disability always, often or sometimes limits their inclusion in society. Among those who say this happens rarely or never, 94% say they have at least some difficulty with pain.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons with pain disabilities with adjusted incidence

Description: The horizontal bar graph represents the percentage of persons having pain disability with unadjusted incidence. The data inferred is as follows: Persons who answered yes - 53 percent, persons who answered no - 46 percent, and persons who refuse to answer or don’t know - 1 percent.

A figure depicts the percentage persons with pain disabilities feel limited in their inclusion in society due to the world around them

Description: The chart depicts the percentage of respondents with pain disabilities who feel they are not included in society due to the world around them. The data inferred from the chart is as follows: 21 percent of respondents always feel this way, 31 percent of respondents often feel this way, 28 percent of respondents sometimes feel this way, 13 percent of respondents rarely feel this way, 7 percent of respondents never feel this way, and less than 1 percent of respondents prefer not to say.

A figure depicts the percentage of difficulty a person with pain disability has with their disability

The horizontal chart depicts the percentage of persons who face difficulty with pain disability. The data inferred from the chart is as follows: 3 percent of persons cannot function due to pain, 20 percent of persons face a lot of difficulties, 71 percent of persons find some difficulty, 5 percent of people find no difficulty and 1 percent of persons prefer not to answer.

Once the incidence is adjusted for this disability, 52% of participants have this disability. More women say they have this disability than men, it is less common among respondents 18 to 34 years of age and it is more common among those in households earning no more than $40K per year. The regions with the highest proportion of respondents with this disability are British Columbia, Atlantic Canada and Ontario.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons who have pain disabilities with adjusted incidence

Description: A horizontal bar graph depicts the survey results for people with disability of pain (adjusted incidence). The data inferred is as follows: Persons who answered yes - 52 percent, persons who answered no - 46 percent, and persons who refuse to answer or don’t know - 2 percent

Flexibility Disability

Roughly half (47%) of survey participants say they have a flexibility disability. This disability was described as a physical disability that affects a person’s ability to move their joints. Nearly 4 in 5 of these respondents (79%) say this disability always, often or sometimes limits their inclusion in society. Among those who say this happens rarely or never, 97% say they have at least some difficulty with flexibility.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons who have flexibility disabilities

Description: The horizontal bar graph depicts the survey results for persons with flexibility disabilities. The data inferred is as follows: Persons who answered yes - 47 percent, persons who answered no - 51 percent, and persons who refuse to answer or don’t know - 2 percent.

A figure depicts the percentage persons with flexibility disabilities feel limited in their inclusion in society due to the world around them

Description: The chart depicts the percentage of persons with flexibility disabilities who feel they are not included in society due to the world around them. The data inferred from the chart is as follows: 13 percent of respondents always feel this way, 30 percent of respondents often feel this way, 36 percent of respondents sometimes feel this way, 13 percent of respondents rarely feel this way, 13 percent of respondents never feel this way, and less than 1 percent of respondents prefer not to say.

A figure depicts the percentage of difficulty a person with flexibility disability has with their disability

Description: The horizontal chart depicts the percentage of persons with flexibility disability who have difficulty with their disability. The data inferred from the chart is as follows: 1 percent of respondents cannot do at all, 17 percent of respondents have a lot of difficulties, 79 percent of respondents have some difficulty, and 3 percent of respondents prefer not to answer.

The adjusted incidence did not have much impact as still 47% participants have this disability once social inclusion and level of difficulty are factored in. Age seems to have an impact on the incidence of this disability - the older respondents are, the more likely they are to say they have a flexibility disability. It is also less common among those earning at least $80K/year.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons with flexibility disabilities with adjusted incidence

Description: The horizontal bar graph depicts the survey results for persons with flexibility disabilities (adjusted incidence). The data inferred is as follows: Persons who answered yes - 47 percent, persons who answered no - 51 percent, and persons who refuse to answer or don’t know - 2 percent.

Dexterity Disability

Roughly one third (34%) of survey participants say they have a dexterity disability. This disability was described as a physical disability that affects a person’s ability to do tasks, especially with their hands. Over 4 in 5 of these respondents (83%) say this disability always, often or sometimes limits their inclusion in society. Among those who say this happens rarely or never, 79% say they have at least some difficulty grasping small objects.

Once the incidence is adjusted for this disability, 33% of participants have this disability. Respondents with lower household incomes tend to have a higher incidence of this disability. The province with the highest proportion of respondents with this disability is British Columbia.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons with dexterity disabilities with adjusted incidence

Description: The horizontal bar graph depicts the survey results for persons with dexterity disabilities (adjusted incidence). The data inferred is as follows: Persons who answered yes - 33 percent, persons who answered no - 66 percent, and persons who refuse to answer or don’t know - 2 percent.

Mental Health-Related Disability

Nearly one third (32%) of survey participants say they have a mental health-related disability. This disability was described as a mental illness that affects a person’s psychology or their behavior. Over 3 in 4 of these respondents (78%) say this disability always, often or sometimes limits their inclusion in society. Among those who say this happens rarely or never, 83% say they have at least some difficulty with their mental health condition.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons with mental health-related disabilities with unadjusted incidence

Description: The horizontal bar graph depicts the survey results for persons with mental health-related disabilities with unadjusted incidence. The data inferred is as follows: Persons who answered yes - 32 percent, persons who answered no - 66 percent, and persons who refuse to answer or don’t know - 2 percent.

A figure depicts A figure depicts the percentage persons with mental health-related disabilities feel limited in their inclusion in society due to the world around them

Description: The chart depicts the percentage of persons with mental health-related disabilities who feel limited inclusion in society due to the world around them. The data inferred from the chart is as follows. 14 percent of respondents always feel this way, 27 percent of respondents often feel this way, 47 percent of respondents sometimes feel this way, 14 percent of respondents rarely feel this way, 7 percent of respondents never feel this way, and less than 1 percent of respondents prefer not to say.

A figure depicts the amount of difficulty persons with mental health-related disabilities have with their disability

Description: The horizontal chart depicts the amount of difficulty persons with mental health-related disabilities have with their disability. The data inferred from the chart is as follows. 8 percent of respondents have a lot of difficulty, 75 percent of respondents have some difficulty, 16 percent of respondents have no difficulty, and 1 percent of respondents prefer not to answer.

Once the incidence is adjusted for this disability, 31% of participants have this disability. The younger respondents are the higher the incidence of this disability. This also seems to affect more women than men. Respondents with lower household incomes tend to have a higher incidence of this disability. The province with proportionally more respondents with this disability is New Brunswick.

A figure depicts persons with mental health-related disabilities with adjusted incidence

Description: The horizontal bar graph represents the percentage of persons with mental health-related disabilities with adjusted incidence. The data inferred is as follows. Persons who answered yes - 31 percent, persons who answered no - 67 percent, and persons who refuse to answer or don’t know - 2 percent.

Memory Disability

Over one quarter (29%) of survey participants say they have a memory disability. This disability was described as a memory disorder that affects a person’s ability to remember information. Over 4 in 5 of these respondents (85%) say this disability always, often or sometimes limits their inclusion in society. Among those who say this happens rarely or never, 93% say they have at least some difficulty with their memory.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons with memory disabilities with unadjusted incidence

Description: The horizontal bar graph represents the percentage of persons with memory disabilities with unadjusted incidence. The data inferred is as follows. Persons who answered yes - 29 percent, persons who answered no - 69 percent, and persons who refuse to answer or don’t know - 2 percent.

A figure depicts the percentage persons with memory disabilities feel limited in their inclusion in society due to the world around them

Description: The horizontal chart depicts the percentage persons with memory disabilities feel they are not included in society due to the world around them. The data inferred from the chart is as follows. 10 percent of respondents always feel this way, 26 percent of respondents often feel this way, 39 percent of respondents sometimes feel this way, 17 percent of respondents rarely feel this way, 7 percent of respondents never feel this way, and 1 percent of respondents prefer not to say.

A figure depicts the amount of difficulty persons with memory disability have with their disability

Description: A horizontal chart depicts the percentage of persons with memory disabilities who have e difficulty with their disability. The data inferred from the chart is as follows. 7 percent of respondents have a lot of difficulty, 86 percent of respondents have some difficulty, 7 percent of respondents have no difficulty, and 1 percent of respondents prefer not to answer. The percentage of respondents who experience significant memory loss is not mentioned in the chart.

Once the incidence is adjusted for this disability, 28% of participants have this disability. Slightly more women than men say they have this disability. Memory disabilities seem to occur relatively more to respondents in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and the Territories. They also seem to become less common as the household income increases.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons with memory disabilities with adjusted incidence

Description: A horizontal bar graph depicts the survey results for persons with memory disabilities (adjusted incidence). The data inferred is as follows. Persons who answered yes - 28 percent, persons who answered no - 70 percent, and persons who refuse to answer or don’t know - 3 percent.

Seeing Disability

Three in ten (30%) survey participants say they have a disability related to seeing. This disability was described as a visual impairment that affects a person’s ability to see, even when wearing glasses or contact lenses. Over 3 in 5 of these respondents (64%) say this disability always, often or sometimes limits their inclusion in society. Among those who say this happens rarely or never, 71% say they have at least some difficulty seeing, even when wearing glasses or contact lenses.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons with seeing having disabilities related to seeing with unadjusted incidence

Description: A horizontal bar graph depicts the survey results for persons with seeing disabilities (unadjusted incidence). The data inferred is as follows. Persons who answered yes - 30 percent, persons who answered no - 69 percent, and persons who refuse to answer or don’t know - 1 percent.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons with seeing disabilities feel limited in their inclusion in society due to the world around them

Description: A chart depicts the percentage of persons with seeing disabilities who feel they are not included in society due to the world around them. The data inferred from the chart is as follows. 12 percent of respondents always feel this way, 25 percent of respondents often feel this way, 27 percent of respondents sometimes feel this way, 16 percent of respondents rarely feel this way, 20 percent of respondents never feel this way, and 1 percent of respondents prefer not to say.

A figure depicts the amount of difficulty persons with seeing disabilities have with their disability

Description: The horizontal chart depicts the percentage of persons with seeing disabilities who have difficulty with their disability. The data inferred from the chart is as follows: 4 percent of respondents have a lot of difficulty, 65 percent of respondents have some difficulty, 28 percent of respondents have no difficulty, and 1 percent of respondents prefer not to answer. The rest of the percentage (percentage value not displayed) corresponds to respondents who are blind or legally blind.

Once the incidence is adjusted for this disability, 26% of participants have this disability. Slightly more men than women say they have this disability, and from a regional perspective, is more common in Saskatchewan.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons with seeing disabilities with adjusted incidence

Description: A horizontal bar graph depicts the survey results for persons with seeing disabilities (adjusted incidence). The data inferred is as follows. Persons who answered yes - 26 percent, persons who answered no - 72 percent, and persons who refuse to answer or don’t know - 1 percent.

Hearing Disability

Nearly one quarter (24%) of survey participants say they have a hearing disability. This disability was described as Deaf or Hard of Hearing - it affects a person’s ability to hear, even when using a hearing aid. Over 4 in 5 of these respondents (82%) say this disability always, often or sometimes limits their inclusion in society. Among those who say this happens rarely or never, 79% say they have at least some difficulty hearing, even when using a hearing aid.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons with hearing disabilities with unadjusted incidence

Description: A horizontal bar graph depicts the survey results for persons with hearing disabilities (unadjusted incidence). The data inferred is as follows. Persons who answered yes - 24 percent, persons who answered no - 75 percent, and persons who refuse to answer or don’t know - 1 percent.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons with hearing disabilities feel limited in their inclusion in society due to the world around them

Description: A horizontal chart depicts the percentage of persons with hearing disabilities who feel they are not included in society due to the world around them. The data inferred from the chart is as follows: 20 percent of respondents always feel this way, 32 percent of respondents often feel this way, 30 percent of respondents sometimes feel this way, 11 percent of respondents rarely feel this way, and 7 percent of respondents never feel this way. The percentage of respondents who prefer not to say is not mentioned in the chart.

A figure depicts the amount of difficulty persons with hearing disabilities have with their disability

Description: A horizontal chart depicts the percentage of persons with hearing disabilities who have difficulty with their disability. The data inferred from the chart is as follows: 4 percent of respondents are deaf, 6 percent of respondents have a lot of difficulty, 69 percent of respondents have some difficulty, 19 percent of respondents have no difficulty, and 3 percent of respondents prefer not to answer.

Once the incidence is adjusted for this disability, 23% of participants have this disability. The older respondents are, the more they say they have a hearing disability. More men than women report having this disability. Newfoundland has the highest proportion of respondents with a hearing disability.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons with hearing disabilities with adjusted incidence

Description: A horizontal bar graph depicts the survey results for persons with hearing disabilities (adjusted incidence). The data inferred is as follows. Persons who answered yes - 23 percent, persons who answered no - 75 percent, and persons who refuse to answer or don’t know - 1 percent.

Learning Disability

Roughly one in five (21%) survey participants say they have a learning disability. This disability was described as one that affects the way a person receives, understands, and uses information. Over 4 in 5 of these respondents (81%) say this disability always, often or sometimes limits their inclusion in society. Among those who say this happens rarely or never, 83% say they have at least some difficulty learning.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons with learning disabilities with unadjusted incidence

Description: A horizontal bar graph depicts the survey results for persons with learning disabilities (unadjusted incidence). The data inferred is as follows. Persons who answered yes - 21 percent, persons who answered no - 77 percent, and persons who refuse to answer or don’t know - 2 percent.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons with learning disabilities feel limited in their inclusion in society due to the world around them

Description: A horizontal chart depicts the percentage of persons with learning disabilities who feel they are not included in society due to the world around them. The data inferred from the chart is as follows. 17 percent of respondents always feel this way, 33 percent of respondents often feel this way, 31 percent of respondents sometimes feel this way, 15 percent of respondents rarely feel this way, 4 percent of respondents never feel this way, and 1 percent of respondents prefer not to say.

A figure depicts the amount of difficulty persons with learning disabilities have with their disability

Description: A horizontal chart depicts the percentage of persons with learning disabilities who have difficulty with their disability. The data inferred from the chart is as follows. 9 percent of respondents require accommodation and support, 6 percent of respondents have a lot of difficulty, 68 percent of respondents have some difficulty, 16 percent of respondents have no difficulty, and 1 percent of respondents prefer not to answer.

Once the incidence is adjusted for this disability, 20% participants have this disability. The younger respondents are, the higher the incidence for this type of disability. Also, those with lower household incomes have a higher incidence of this disability. The Territories have the highest proportion of respondents with a learning disability.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons with learning disabilities with adjusted incidence

Description: A horizontal bar graph depicts the survey results for persons with learning disabilities (adjusted incidence). The data inferred is as follows. Persons who answered yes - 20 percent, persons who answered no - 78 percent, and persons who refuse to answer or don’t know - 2 percent.

Communication Disability

Roughly one in five (18%) survey participants say they have a communication disability. This disability was described as one that affects the way a person receives, understands, and uses information. Over 4 in 5 of these respondents (88%) say this disability always, often or sometimes limits their inclusion in society. Among those who say this happens rarely or never, 77% say they have at least some difficulty communicating.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons with communication disabilities with unadjusted incidence

Description: A horizontal bar graph depicts the survey results for persons with communication disabilities (unadjusted incidence). The data inferred is as follows. Persons who answered yes - 18 percent, persons who answered no - 79 percent, and persons who refuse to answer or don’t know - 2 percent.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons with communication disabilities feel limited in their inclusion in society due to the world around them

Description: A chart depicts the percentage of persons with communication disabilities who feel they are not included in society due to the world around them. The data inferred from the chart is as follows: 20 percent of respondents always feel this way, 35 percent of respondents often feel this way, 33 percent of respondents sometimes feel this way, 9 percent of respondents rarely feel this way, 2 percent of respondents never feel this way, and 1 percent of respondents prefer not to say.

A figure depicts the amount of difficulty persons with communication disabilities have with their disability

Description: A horizontal chart depicts the percentage of persons with communication disabilities who have difficulty with their disability. The data inferred from the chart is as follows. 4 percent of respondents cannot communicate without support or technology, 2 percent of respondents have a lot of difficulty, 71 percent of respondents have some difficulty, and 23 percent of respondents have no difficulty.

The adjusted incidence did not have much impact as still 18% of participants have this disability once social inclusion and level of difficulty are factored in. The younger respondents are, the more likely they are to say they have a communication disability. As well, as the household income decrease, the incidence of this disability increases. The Territories have the highest proportion of respondents with a communication disability.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons with communication disabilities with adjusted incidence

Description: A horizontal bar graph depicts the survey results for persons with communication disabilities (adjusted incidence). The data inferred is as follows. Persons who answered yes - 18 percent, persons who answered no - 80 percent, and persons who refuse to answer or don’t know - 2 percent.

Speech Disability

Roughly one tenth (11%) of survey participants say they have a speech disability. This disability was described as a speech disorder that affects the way a person makes sounds to form word. Over 4 in 5 of these respondents (84%) say this disability always, often or sometimes limits their inclusion in society. Among those who say this happens rarely or never, 74% say they have at least some difficulty speaking.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons with speech disabilities with unadjusted incidence

Description: A horizontal bar graph depicts the survey results for persons with speech disabilities (unadjusted incidence). The data inferred is as follows. Persons who answered yes - 11 percent, persons who answered no - 87 percent, and persons who refuse to answer or don’t know - 2 percent.

A figure depicts the percentage persons with speech disabilities feel limited in their inclusion in society due to the world around them

Description: A horizontal chart depicts the percentage of persons with speech disabilities who feel they are not included in society due to the world around them. The data inferred from the chart is as follows. 19 percent of respondents always feel this way, 24 percent of respondents often feel this way, 41 percent of respondents sometimes feel this way, 11 percent of respondents rarely feel this way, 5 percent of respondents never feel this way, and 1 percent of respondents prefer not to say.

A figure depicts the amount of difficulty persons with speech disabilities have with their disability

Description: A horizontal chart depicts the percentage of persons with speech disabilities who have difficulty with their disability. The data inferred from the chart is as follows. 2 percent of respondents cannot speak at all, 2 percent of respondents have a lot of difficulty, 70 percent of respondents have some difficulty, and 26 percent of respondents have no difficulty.

The adjusted incidence remained at 11% of participants. The younger respondents are, the more likely they are to say they have a speech disability. As the household income decrease, the incidence of this disability increases. At 5%, New Brunswick has the lowest proportion of respondents with a speech disability.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons with speech disabilities with adjusted incidence

Description: A horizontal bar graph depicts the survey results for persons with speech disabilities (adjusted incidence). The data inferred is as follows. Persons who answered yes - 11 percent, persons who answered no - 88 percent, and persons who refuse to answer or don’t know - 2 percent.

Developmental Disability

One tenth (10%) of survey participants say they have a developmental disability. This disability was described as intellectual disabilities that affect a person’s ability to learn and to adapt their behavior to different situations. Over 4 in 5 of these respondents (89%) say this disability always, often or sometimes limits their inclusion in society. Among the 14 disabilities considered, persons with this disability were the most likely to indicate it always limits their inclusion in society (24%). Among those who say this happens rarely or never, 80% say they have at least some difficulty with this condition.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons with developmental disabilities with unadjusted incidence

Description: A horizontal bar graph depicts the survey results for persons with developmental disabilities (unadjusted incidence). The data inferred is as follows. Persons who answered yes - 10 percent, persons who answered no - 88 percent, and persons who refuse to answer or don’t know - 2 percent.

A figure depicts the percentage persons with developmental disabilities feel limited in their inclusion in society due to the world around them

Description: A horizontal chart depicts the percentage of persons with developmental disabilities who feel they are not included in society due to the world around them. The data inferred from the chart is as follows: 24 percent of respondents always feel this way, 35 percent of respondents often feel this way, 30 percent of respondents sometimes feel this way, 7 percent of respondents rarely feel this way, 3 percent of respondents never feel this way, and 2 percent of respondents prefer not to say.

A figure depicts the amount of difficulty persons with developmental disabilities have with their disability

Description: The horizontal chart depicts the percentage of persons with developmental disabilities who have difficulty with their disability. The data inferred from the chart is as follows. 17 percent of respondents have a lot of difficulty, 63 percent of respondents have some difficulty, and 21 percent of respondents have no difficulty. The percentage of respondents who cannot function at all without help is not mentioned in the chart.

This specific disability was not adjusted for a new incidence depending on social inclusion or level of difficulty. The younger respondents are, the more likely they are to say they have a developmental disability. More men than women say they have this condition. Also, as the household income decrease, the incidence of this disability increases.

Language Disability

Roughly one tenth (9%) of survey participants say they have a language disability. This disability was described as a language-based disability that affects a person’s ability to understand and use spoken and written language. Over 4 in 5 of these respondents (82%) say this disability always, often or sometimes limits their inclusion in society. Among those who say this happens rarely or never, 65% say they have at least some difficulty with their language-based disability.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons with language disabilities (unadjusted incidence)

Description: The horizontal bar graph depicts the survey results of persons with language disabilities (unadjusted incidence). The rate of people who answered Yes - 9 percent, No - 90 percent, and Refused to answer or didn’t know - 1 percent.

A figure depicts the percentage persons with language disabilities feel limited in their inclusion in society due to the world around them

Description: The horizontal chart depicts the percentage of persons with language disabilities who feel they are not included in society due to the world around them. The data inferred from the chart is as follows: 22 percent of respondents always feel this way, 24 percent often feel this way, 36 percent sometimes feel this way, 13 percent rarely feel this way, and 4 percent of respondents never feel this way.

A figure depicts the amount of difficulty persons with language disabilities have with their disability

Description: The horizontal chart depicts the survey results for the persons with language disabilities (difficulty with disability). The data inferred from the graph is as follows: 3 percent of the respondents cannot understand language at all, 62 percent of the respondents have some difficulty, 32 percent of the respondents have a lot of difficulty, and 3 percent of respondents prefer not to answer. The percentage of respondents with no difficulty is not mentioned in the chart.

Once the incidence is adjusted for this disability, 8% of participants have this disability. The younger respondents are, the higher the incidence for this type of disability. Also, those with lower household incomes have a higher incidence of this disability. The Territories have the highest proportion of respondents with a language disability.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons with language disabilities with adjusted incidence

Description: The horizontal bar graph depicts the survey results for persons with a language disability (adjusted incidence). The rate of people who answered Yes - 8 percent, No - 90 percent, and Refused to answer or didn’t know - 1 percent.

Other Disabilities

One quarter (25%) of survey participants say they have another type of disability. The most common mentions include environmental sensitivities (ES), myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), problems with energy availability, multiple chemical sensitivity, and electro sensitivity, among others. Nine in ten of these respondents (90%) say this disability always, often or sometimes limits their inclusion in society. Among those who say this happens rarely or never, 74% say they have at least some difficulty with this other disability.

Once the incidence is adjusted for this disability, 24% of participants have another disability.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons with other disabilities with unadjusted incidence

Description: A horizontal bar graph depicts the survey results for persons with other disabilities (unadjusted incidence). The rate of people who answered Yes - 25 percent, No - 71 percent, and Refused to answer or didn’t know - 4 percent.

A figure depicts the percentage persons with other disabilities feel limited in their inclusion in society due to the world around them

Description: The horizontal chart depicts the percentage of persons with other disabilities who feel they are not included in society due to the world around them. The data inferred from the graph is as follows: 37 percent of respondents always feel this way, 36 percent often feel this way, 17 percent sometimes feel this way, 4 percent rarely feel this way, 5 percent never feel this way, and 1 percent of respondents prefer not to say.

A figure depicts the amount of difficulty persons with other disabilities have with their disability

Description: The horizontal chart depicts the survey results for persons with other disabilities (difficulty with disability). The data inferred from the graph is as follows: 2 percentage of the respondents cannot function at all without help, 11 percent of respondents have a lot of difficulty, 61 percent of respondents have some difficulty, 25 percent of respondents have no difficulty, and 2 percent of respondents prefer not to answer.

A figure depicts the percentage of persons with other disabilities with adjusted incidence

Description: The horizontal bar graph depicts the survey results for persons with other disabilities (adjusted incidence). The percent of persons who answered Yes - 24 percent, No - 72 percent, Refused to answer or didn’t answer - 4 percent.

Attitude Barriers

Respondents with a disability were asked how often they have experienced attitude barriers. Nearly 9 in 10 (88%) say they have experienced this type of barrier at one point in time, with 41% saying they experience it often (30%) or always (11%), and 28% experiencing it sometimes (28%), or rarely (17%).

From a subgroup perspective, the following differences were noted:

• The younger respondents are, the more often they are to experience an attitude barrier.

• Respondents 18 to 64 years of age are more likely than respondents 65 years of age or older to say they always experience an attitude barrier (14% among 18 to 34, 13% among 35-64 vs. 5% of those at least 65 years old or above).

• In addition, respondents 18 to 64 years of age are more likely than respondents 65 years of age or older to say they often experience an attitude barrier (37% among 18 to 34, 33% among 35-64 vs. 21% of those at least 65 years old), while older respondents are the most likely to say they rarely (24%) or never (23%) experience this barrier.

• In terms of gender, women are more likely than men to say they experience attitude barriers often (32% vs. 26%), while men are more likely to say they experience this rarely (23% vs. 14%).

• Overall, the higher the household income, the less they experience attitude barriers – more specifically, those with a household income under $20,000 are more than twice as likely to say they always encounter this barrier compared to respondents of higher incomes (22% vs. 9%).

• At a regional level, respondents most likely to say they always experience an attitude barrier are in British Columbia (15%) and Ontario (12%), while those most likely to experience it often are in Quebec (35%), Manitoba (34%), Alberta (33%) and Ontario (31%), compared to other provinces and territories.

• Respondents most likely to say they always experience an attitude barrier are those with a language disability (29%), a speech disability (25%), a developmental disability (25%), a communication disability (20%), or a learning disability (20%).

A figure depicts persons with disabilities experiences with attitude barriers

Description: The horizontal chart depicts persons with disabilities experiences with the attitude barriers. The data inferred is as follows: 11 percent of respondents experience it always, 30 percent experience it often, 28 percent experience it sometimes, 17 percent experience it rarely, 12 percent never experience it, remaining 1 percent includes not applicable and respondents who refuse to answer or don’t know.

Employment Barriers

Respondents with a disability were also asked how often they encountered different barriers to employment due to a lack of accessibility over the past 12 months.

• One quarter of these respondents have experienced always or often a barrier to finding meaningful work (25%).

• In addition, 24% of respondents say they have always or often experienced employment barriers related to having access to supports or workplace accommodations.

• Similarly, 23% say they have always or often experienced barriers to moving up in an organization, while 21% they always or often experienced barriers to being hired.

  At least one third of respondents say these situations do not apply to them, likely due to not being able to work or being retired.

A figure depicts persons with disabilities experiences with employment barriers

Description: The horizontal charts depict persons with disabilities experiences with employment barriers. The data inferred is shown for four categories. 1. Barrier to find meaningful work: 12 percent of respondents experience it always, 13 percent experience it often, 11 percent experience it sometimes, 5 percent experience it rarely, 15 percent never experience it, 40 percent not applicable, 3 percent of respondents refused to answer or don’t know. 2. Barriers to have access to supports or workplace accommodations: 12 percent of respondents experience it always, 12 percent experience it often, 14 percent experience it sometimes, 7 percent experience it rarely, 15 percent never experience it, 36 percent not applicable, 4 percent of respondents refused to answer or don’t know. 3. Barriers to move up in an organization: 12 percent of respondents experience it always, 11 percent experience it often, 11 percent experience it sometimes, 4 percent experience it rarely, 15 percent never experience it, 42 percent not applicable, 5 percent of respondents refused to answer or don’t know. 4. Barriers to being hired: 11 percent of respondents experience it always, 10 percent experience it often, 11 percent experience it sometimes, 4 percent experience it rarely, 16 percent never experience it, 45 percent not applicable, 3 percent of respondents refused to answer or don’t know.

In terms of subgroup differences, the following are noted:

• Overall, respondents with lower household incomes tend to experience these employment barriers more often than those with higher household incomes.

• Regionally, the incidence of three of these barriers are higher in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, and Ontario, notably barriers to having access to supports or workplace accommodations, to finding more meaningful work, and to moving up in an organization.

• Respondents in Nova Scotia and British Columbia are the most likely to say they have always or often experienced a barrier to finding meaningful work.

• Respondents in Nova Scotia and the Territories are the most likely to say they have experienced always or often a barrier to having access to supports or workplace accommodations, and to moving up in an organization.

• Respondents in Quebec are the most likely to say they have experienced always or often a barrier to being hired.

• Respondents most likely to say they always experience barriers to employment are those with a language disability, a speech disability, a developmental disability, a communication disability, a learning disability, or a mental health-related disability, particularly to being hired, finding meaningful work, or moving up in an organization.

Barriers Related to the Built Environment

When asked how often respondents encountered different barriers related to the built environment, specifically, barriers to access public buildings and areas. Nearly one third (30%) said they experienced these types of barriers always or often over the past 12 months. In addition, 21% say they have experienced these barriers sometimes, 12% say rarely, and 24% say never.

A figure depicts persons with disabilities experiences with barriers to public buildings and areas

Description: The chart depicts the percentage of persons with disabilities who experience barriers to public buildings and areas. The data inferred is as follows: 9 percent of respondents experience it always, 21 percent experience it often, 21 percent experience it sometimes, 12 percent experience it rarely, 24 percent never experience it, 14 percent is not applicable, 1 percent respondents refused to answer or don’t know.

Subgroup differences found include the following:

• Respondents with lower household incomes are more likely to say they experience these barriers more often than those with higher household incomes.

• Respondents who live in Quebec (12%), are more likely to say they experience these barriers more often than residents in other provinces and territories.

• Respondents most likely to say they always or often experience these barriers are those with a dexterity disability, a mobility disability, or a speech disability.

Transportation-Related Barriers

Questions on barriers to transportation were also asked to survey participants:

• Roughly one fifth of respondents said they have experienced always or often a barrier when traveling by air, for example, at the airport, airplane, terminal, facilities, equipment, communication, or services (19%); or when using municipal public transit (20%).

• Similarly, 18% say they have experienced always or often a barrier related to the use of taxis and ridesharing, such as Uber of Lyft.

• To a lesser extent, respondents say they have always or often experienced barriers when traveling by VIA Rail or interprovincial trains, for example, at the train station, the train, or with equipment, communication, or services (9%).

• Respondents have always or often experienced barriers when travelling by buses in federal jurisdiction that cross borders (i.e. at the bus stations, on the bus, with equipment, communication, or services) (8%), by ferry (6%), or when using school transportation (5%).

• While some of these services seemed to not apply to many respondents, consistently nearly one fifth of respondents said they have never experienced these barriers.

A figure depicts persons with disabilities experiences with transportation barriers

Description: A horizontal chart depicts persons with disabilities experiences with barriers to transportation. The data inferred is shown for seven categories. 1. Barriers related to the use of municipal public transit: 10 percent of respondents experience it always, 10 percent experience it often, 14 percent experience it sometimes, 8 percent experience it rarely, 23 percent never experience it, 33 percent not applicable, 2 percent of respondents refused to answer or don’t know. 2. Barriers related to travelling by air: 10 percent of respondents experience it always, 9 percent experience it often, 15 percent experience it sometimes, 9 percent experience it rarely, 25 percent never experience it, 29 percent not applicable, 3 percent of respondents refused to answer or don’t know. 3. Barriers related to the use of taxis and ridesharing: 9 percent of respondents experience it always, 8 percent experience it often, 8 percent experience it sometimes, 7 percent experience it rarely, 25 percent never experience it, 38 percent not applicable, 4 percent of respondents refused to answer or don’t know. 4. Barriers related to the use of VIA Rail or interprovincial trains: 5 percent of respondents experience it always, 4 percent experience it often, 5 percent experience it sometimes, 4 percent experience it rarely, 20 percent never experience it, 55 percent not applicable, 7 percent of respondents refused to answer or don’t know. 5. Barriers related to using buses that cross borders: 5 percent of respondents experience it always, 3 percent experience it often, 4 percent experience it sometimes, 2 percent experience it rarely, 17 percent never experience it, 61 percent not applicable, 7 percent of respondents refused to answer or don’t know. 6. Barriers related to the use of ferries: 3 percent of respondents experience it always, 3 percent experience it often, 6 percent experience it sometimes, 5 percent experience it rarely, 22 percent never experience it, 57 percent not applicable, 5 percent of respondents refused to answer or don’t know. 7. Barriers related to the use of school transportation: 3 percent of respondents experience it always, 2 percent experience it often, 2 percent experience it sometimes, 2 percent experience it rarely, 17 percent never experience it, 70 percent not applicable, 4 percent of respondents refused to answer or don’t know.

In terms of subgroup differences:

• Women are more likely than men to say they have experienced barriers to travel using municipal public transit, travelling by air, and train.

• Regionally, respondents in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia are the most likely among all provinces and territories to say they have experienced barriers when using municipal public transit, taxis and ridesharing, travelling by air, and by train.

• Barriers related to the use of municipal public transit seems to also be relatively high in Nova Scotia, as well as barriers to using ferries in British Columbia, and school transportation in Quebec. Those in the Territories are the most likely to say they have barriers when traveling by air, train, or bus to cross borders, due to a lack of accessibility. Respondents most likely to say they always experience barriers to travel by bus (that crossed borders) or municipal public transit are those with a speech disability, a developmental disability, or a learning disability; to travel by train or ferries are those with a language or developmental disability; to use school transportation are those with a developmental, speech or language disability; and to use taxis or ridesharing services are those with a dexterity or speech disability.

ICT-Related Barriers

Respondents were then asked if they had experienced barriers related to the use of information and communication technology:

• Overall, one quarter to one third of respondents said these situations do not apply to them, and another third said they never experienced these barriers. However, over one in ten respondents said they always or often experienced a barrier when using self-service technology in a public place because it was not accessible for them (15%).

• A similar proportion (14%) always or often experienced a barrier when watching a video on the internet (for example on YouTube, Facebook, other social media or websites) because it was not accessible, 12% when using a website that was not accessible to them, or to watch cable because it was not accessible (12%).

• One in ten respondents said they experienced a barrier to using a wireless service (10%), or to watching a show on a streaming service such as Netflix, AppleTV, Crave, Amazon Prime, or a similar service (10%) because these were not accessible.

A figure depicts persons with disabilities experiences with barriers to information and communication technology

Description: The horizontal chart depicts persons with disabilities experiences with the barriers to information and communication technology. The data inferred is shown for six categories. 1. Using self-service technology in a public place because it was not accessible for you: 6 percent of respondents experience it always, 9 percent experience it often, 14 percent experience it sometimes, 11 percent experience it rarely, 33 percent never experience it, 24 percent not applicable, 3 percent of respondents refused to answer or don’t know. 2. Watching a video on the internet because it was not accessible for you: 4 percent of respondents experience it always, 10 percent experience it often, 10 percent experience it sometimes, 8 percent experience it rarely, 37 percent never experience it, 30 percent not applicable, 2 percent of respondents refused to answer or don’t know. 3. Using a website because it was not accessible for you: 3 percent of respondents experience it always, 9 percent experience it often, 10 percent experience it sometimes, 10 percent experience it rarely, 34 percent never experience it, 32 percent not applicable, 3 percent of respondents refused to answer or don’t know. 4. Watching cable because it was not accessible for you: 4 percent of respondents experience it always, 8 percent experience it often, 8 percent experience it sometimes, 8 percent experience it rarely, 37 percent never experience it, 33 percent not applicable, 2 percent of respondents refused to answer or don’t know. 5. Using a wireless service because it was not accessible for you: 4 percent of respondents experience it always, 6 percent experience it often, 10 percent experience it sometimes, 9 percent experience it rarely, 35 percent never experience it, 31 percent not applicable, 5 percent of respondents refused to answer or don’t know. 6. Watching show on a streaming service because it was not accessible for you: 4 percent of respondents experience it always, 6 percent experience it often, 9 percent experience it sometimes, 7 percent experience it rarely, 36 percent never experience it, 36 percent not applicable, 2 percent of respondents refused to answer or don’t know.

In terms of differences observed by income, gender, region and disability:

• Respondents with household incomes under $20,000 are the most likely to say they always experience these types of barriers, while those with a household income of at least $40,000 are more likely to say they never experience these barriers.

• Additionally, men are more likely than women to say they never experience these barriers.

• Respondents in Quebec are the most likely to have experienced each of the barriers, followed by respondents in Nova Scotia and the Territories, where respondents are more likely to have experienced 5 out of the 6 barriers tested.

Respondents most likely to say they always or often experience ICT barriers are those with seeing, hearing, learning, developmental, communication, speech, and language disabilities. Specifically:

• Respondents who are most likely to say they always face barriers to use a website that was not accessible for them are those with a language, speech, developmental, seeing or hearing disability;

• Respondents who are most likely to say they always face barriers to use a wireless service are those with a language, developmental, communication, speech, or hearing disability;

• Respondents who are most likely to say they always face barriers to use a self-service technology in a public space are those with a language, visual, dexterity, speech or developmental disability;

• Respondents who are most likely to say they always face barriers to watch cable are those with a hearing, developmental, language, visual or speech disability;

• Respondents who are most likely to say they always face barriers to watch a show on a streaming service are those with a language, speech, or developmental disability;

• Respondents who are most likely to say they always face barriers to watch a video in the internet are those with a language, hearing, communication or speech disability.

Barriers Related to Program and Service Delivery

Respondents were also asked how often they encounter barriers when accessing programs or services from a government or from a company or an organization. Nearly one fifth of respondents (19%) say they always (6%) or often (13%) experience a barrier that impacted the accessibility of a program or service provided by a company, while 17% say they always (6%) or often (11%) experience a barrier that impacted the accessibility of a government program or service.

A figure depicts persons with disabilities experiences with barriers to program and service delivery

Description: The horizontal chart depicts persons with disabilities experiences with the barriers to program and service delivery. The data inferred is shown for two categories. 1. There was a barrier that impacted the accessibility of a government program or service: 6 percent of respondents experience it always, 11 percent experience it often, 15 percent experience it sometimes, 10 percent experience it rarely, 32 percent never experience it, 21 percent not applicable, 5 percent of respondents refused to answer or don’t know. 2. There was a barrier that impacted the accessibility of a program or service provided by a company or organization: 6 percent of respondents experience it always, 13 percent experience it often, 17 percent experience it sometimes, 10 percent experience it rarely, 28 percent never experience it, 20 percent not applicable, 5 percent of respondents refused to answer or don’t know.

From a subgroup perspective, the following differences were noted:

• The younger respondents are, and the lower the household income bracket is, the more likely respondents are to say they experience these barriers.

• In addition, men are more likely than women to say they never experience these barriers.

• The frequency of experiencing these barriers is higher among respondents in the Territories, Nova Scotia and British Columbia.

• Respondents most likely to say they always experience a barrier that impacted the accessibility of a government program or service are those with a language, speech, developmental, communication, hearing, or learning disability; or a barrier to access a program or service provided by a company or organization are those with a language, communication, development, speech, hearing or learning disability.