OTTAWA – The federal Office of Public Service Accessibility finds itself in a state of uncertainty, following the release of a report that highlights the government's slow progress in providing necessary support to public servants with disabilities. This document, acquired by The Canadian Press via access to information laws, outlines several areas where the government is falling short in terms of accommodation for employees with disabilities.
Created by the Office of Public Service Accessibility for the Treasury Board president in June 2023, the report indicates that although the government has successfully met its target of hiring 5,000 new employees with disabilities by 2025, significant gaps remain. There has been progress in implementing anti-bias training and developing centralized processes for workplace accommodations; however, disparate methods used by various departments to assess their accessibility progress hinder overall efforts.
Rola Salem, a spokesperson for the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, noted that different departments utilize varied metrics for measuring progress—some employ clear and quantifiable indicators, while others depend on vague descriptions. The report suggests a "lack" of external consultations with individuals with disabilities, emphasizing the need for such feedback to enhance government service design and delivery.
Salem elaborated that broader and more in-depth consultations are necessary for identifying and eliminating barriers faced by employees with disabilities, stressing that this applies to both workplace accessibility in the public service and service improvement for Canadians with disabilities.
According to the document, accommodating employees with disabilities presents challenges, particularly when barriers are complex or difficult to identify, such as those related to mental health or neurodiversity. The report insists on the urgency of embedding accessibility into the culture and operations of the public service in a more robust manner. Salem pointed out that accommodation processes differ across government sectors, and employees might encounter delays if requisite tools, technologies, or expertise are not readily available within their organizations.
Common barriers identified by employees include workplace noise and issues with workstation equipment. Recent data indicate that delays are especially pronounced when it comes to IT requests and adjustments to the physical workspace. Efforts are underway to mitigate these delays and create a more consistent process for accessing accommodations, notably through streamlining procurement methods for adaptive technologies.
Established in 2018, the Office of Public Service Accessibility aims to prepare the public service to meet or exceed the standards set forth by the Accessible Canada Act. It provides guidance to federal departments and agencies on enhancing the hiring, retention, and advancement of individuals with disabilities, along with offering strategies for supporting disabled employees.
Salem confirmed that Budget 2024 includes renewed funding for the Office of Public Service Accessibility, extending support until March 31, 2026. However, there remain uncertainties regarding the office's longer-term future, with more information on its mandate to be disclosed later.
The document mentions that the Office is committed to building "an inclusive and productive digitally enabled public service" through the organization of government-wide workshops and the provision of guidance and metrics to assist departments in monitoring and reporting on accessibility.
Additionally, the federal auditor general is scheduled to publish a report next year focused on the recruitment, retention, and promotion of individuals with disabilities within the federal public service. Notably, the most recent employment equity report indicates a steady increase in the number of people with disabilities working in the core public service, rising from 12,893 in 2021 to 21,089 by 2024.
This ongoing development underscores the challenges and commitments needed to ensure a more accessible environment for public servants with disabilities in Canada.
