Disability In Canada

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Introduction According to Jansson, Jansenberger, and Phillips (2012) the Canadian government has expressed formal commitments to the rights of its citizens who have disabilities. Historically however in Canada under the warehouse approach, persons with disabilities have always been discriminated against in different aspects of life such as the workplace. However, perceptions and attitudes towards people with disabilities have changed to become more accommodating, welcoming and most importantly equal. This essay will analyse the historical overview of persons with disability in Canada. In order to successfully explore the issue, the paper will take a look at the shift in approaches towards people with disabilities and how this shift has impacted …show more content…

A further 13% have stated that while they do not self-identify as having a disability, they are victims of mobility challenges that impact their everyday lives. These Canadians encounter a variety of barriers every day, both physical ones like inaccessible buildings and public transit, and social barriers such as stereotyping and discrimination. Seventy three percent of Canadians agree that there is a lot of prejudice towards people with physical disabilities. With one in five Canadians expected to have a disability by 2030, there is need to enhance understanding around important disability issues, and change attitudes about people with disabilities that will allow them to live and work to their full potential the way other Canadians do (Woodward, …show more content…

Based on these observations, a shift in approaches was somehow inevitable for Canada. The last few decades have seen a change from the warehouse approach to the open house approach. Apart from empowering people with disabilities, the open house approach is one that is more accommodating of the needs of disabled people and encourages the respect of their autonomy. Under this approach, the rights and responsibilities of disabled people just like any other citizen of Canada are respected and upheld. Such perceptions are what are critical to understanding future prospects of a positive disability history for Canada (Reaume, 2012). Several factors necessitated the change from the warehouse to the open house approach as will be discussed

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