New CCRW + CASE Report on Youth Disability and Employment Now Published

We are excited to announce that the full report from our collaboration with the Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE) is now published and available for public access.

About the Report

Titled Promoting Employment Participation for Youth with Disabilities in Canada, this report (PDF) is the result of a joint effort by CCRW’s research team and CASE, with funding from CASE’s Innovation Lab and support from the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Initiatives Program.

The report provides:

• A national data overview on employment and labour force participation among youth ages 15–24 with disabilities
• A detailed account of systemic, institutional, interpersonal, and individual barriers affecting youth with disabilities
• Evidence-based best practices, strategies, and interventions for improving employment inclusion
• Recommendations for parents/caregivers, employment professionals, and youth jobseekers

Some key insights:

• Youth with disabilities in Canada remain underemployed, despite high potential and willingness to work
• The gap in employment rates between youth with and without disabilities has increased in recent years
• Practices such as mentorship, early work experiences, tailored accommodations, and self-advocacy support can make significant differences

Why This Matters for CCRW

This report aligns closely with CCRW’s mission to advance disability inclusion and equitable workforce participation. It underscores areas where our programs, services, and advocacy efforts can be strengthened, especially as we support youth transitioning into work.

We encourage all stakeholders, employers, educators, disability service providers, youth, parents, and policy makers to review the findings and consider how to act on the recommendations.

Read or download the full report here:
Promoting Employment Participation for Youth with Disabilities in Canada (PDF)