Issues for Students with Disabilities

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Employment

The unemployment rate of university graduates with disabilities is close to three times higher than that of non-disabled graduates. In the case of some groups of disabled graduates the gap is even greater. For example, the unemployment rate of the blind is 90%, regardless of educational attainments. The vast majority of employers in British Columbia report that they have no employees with disabilities at all. Access UVic! recognizes that equal access to employment opportunities is essential to the independence and dignity of people with disabilities and we actively promote accessibility in the workplace.

Discrimination

Disability is a human rights issue. Discrimination on the basis of disability is prohibited by the British Columbia Human Rights Code and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Mental and physical disabilities are included in equality legislation as "prohibited grounds" for discrimination. Discrimination harms the whole community, not just those who are discriminated against.