The Business Case

It makes good business sense to hire diversely. It offers an advantage to have employees with disabilities as it can help organizations reflect and reach a broad consumer market to meet customer demands and offer diverse perspectives that lead to more satisfied customers. Individuals with disabilities represent an estimated $25 billion in consumer spending.

“Businesses that place a priority on inclusion and accessibility within their workplaces, public relations initiatives and overall corporate culture will have a distinct advantage and competitive edge over businesses which lag behind.”
- Ivey Business Journal Sept/Oct 2007

Labour shortages are predicted beginning in 2014 and will grow steadily according to the Conference Board of Canada. There are over 4,000 students with disabilities currently studying at Wilfrid Laurier University, Conestoga College, University of Waterloo and University of Guelph. These students can offer valuable skills and expertise to benefit the labour market and narrow the skills gap.

Employers would benefit from having students with disabilities on their payroll because we tend to be really hard workers. - 2008 Laurier graduate

The Business Case for Diversity: Employment Series for Persons with Disabilities: Tips for Employers. Alberta Human Resources and Employment - http://ab.workink.com/display.asp?Page_ID=11256  

The Business Case for Hiring Persons with Disabilities - http://www.accessworks.ca/businessCase.php  

Ivey Business Journal: Full Accessibility by 2025: Will Your Business Be Ready? - http://www.iveybusinessjournal.com/article.asp?intArticle_ID=713

The Business Case for Accessibility: How Accessibility-Awareness Strengthens Your Company’s Bottom Line - PDF document or Word document