New White Paper Release

CCRW has released a new white paper, The Disability Confidence Gap, revealing five major workplace accessibility gaps employers need to address to build more inclusive and disability-confident workplaces across Canada.

Released during National AccessAbility Week and CCRW’s 50th anniversary year, the white paper explores the systems, leadership behaviours, and accountability measures needed to move disability inclusion from intention to consistent workplace practice.

Download the White Paper

Learn About the Employer Pledge

Five Workplace Gaps Employers Can No Longer Ignore

The research points to a clear conclusion: disability confidence is built through practical systems leaders can own, communicate, and measure.

• 49% Gap in Workplace Adjustments: Nearly half of business leaders said workplace adjustments are not actively promoted or consistently provided.
• 64% Gap in Barrier Removal: Many employers still lack a formal process to identify, address, and remove accessibility barriers.
• 70% Gap in Lifecycle Accessibility Reviews: Organizations reported they have not reviewed accessibility across the full employment lifecycle.
• 70% Gap in Leadership Training: Leaders often do not receive training to address disability-related myths, misconceptions, and bias.
• 86% Gap in Feedback and Accountability: Few employers reported gathering feedback from people with disabilities and publicly committing to action.

Why Disability Confidence Matters

Many people with disabilities continue to face barriers in hiring and employment, including unmet accommodation needs, inaccessible communication, inaccessible technology, and limited support from hiring staff or managers.

For employers, these gaps are not abstract. They affect recruitment, retention, workplace culture, employee experience, and an organization’s ability to attract and keep skilled talent.

By strengthening disability confidence, employers can move from good intentions to clear, measurable action.

Part of CCRW’s 50th Anniversary Campaign

In 2026, CCRW marks 50 years of supporting meaningful employment for people with disabilities and helping employers build more inclusive workplaces across Canada.

To celebrate this milestone, CCRW is inviting 50 employers to take the Disability Confident Employer pledge. The pledge is a practical commitment to remove barriers, strengthen workplace accessibility, and create more consistent and respectful experiences for candidates and employees with disabilities.

Ten employers have already committed to the pledge, including YMCA Newfoundland and Labrador, University Pension Plan, and Jacob Bros Construction.

Download the White Paper

For 50 years, CCRW has worked to support equitable employment opportunities for people with disabilities through job seeker supports, employer partnerships, training, consulting, and workplace accessibility expertise.