We are currently moving our web services and information to Canada.ca.

The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat website will remain available until this move is complete.

Workshop on Duty to Accommodate Policy


Archived information

Archived information is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject à to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please contact us to request a format other than those available.

Section 6. Resources And Support

In this section we will:

  • present and share ideas on some of the resources that are available to assist in the accommodation process;
  • identify the key people to go to in departments, agencies and units in order to begin the search for information, resources and support for accommodation.

I. Easy To Access Resources

There are numerous publications, audio-visual products, agencies, tools, and web sites available on disabilities and accommodation issues. We will focus on:

  • readily accessible resources available through the internet (key web sites and downloadable publications);
  • free of charge resources to Federal Public Servants (especially those resources that have been developed by the Canadian Federal Public Service);
  • key contact people whom one can phone or e-mail to get started on the journey of accommodating persons with disabilities.

The format is intended to provide people with quick, easy access to the specific concern or question for which they are looking for answers and ideas. Many of these have already been provided throughout the manual. This section will summarize the previously recommended resources and add a few more.

Some Key Resources

A. Policy On The Duty To Accommodate Persons With Disabilities In The Federal Public Service

B. Inclusive Work Environments: Accommodation In The Workplace and In Selection Processes

  • Public Service Commission's Personnel Psychology Centre has new Guidelines for Assessing Persons with Disabilities that outline:
    • the general principles - the nature of the disability, the qualifications being assessed and the type of assessment method being used (see Chapter II);
    • the roles of various parties involved in determining accommodations (see Chapter III);
    • the standards for documentation; and ð recommended procedures for applying accommodations to ensure a fair assessment process (see Chapter IV). www.psc-cfp.gc.ca/ppc/disability/chap_1_e.htm
  • The Employment Equity Division of the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) strives to facilitate the implementation of Employment Equity in departments and agencies for which Treasury Board is the employer by providing policy advice and guidance, as well as monitoring and reporting on progress made. Included with this site are Job Accommodation services. www.hrma-agrh.gc.ca/ee/index-eng.asp
    • Also find at TBS numerous relevant policies and publications, such as Creating a Welcoming Workplace for Employees with Disabilities - Part 1 of 2, Employment Equity Policy - Part 1 of 2 and Guide to Planning Inclusive Meetings and Conferences or  www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pubs_pol/hrpubs/TB_852/gpimc-gprci-eng.asp
  •  "Just Ask Me": Discussing Workplace Accommodation - Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) and the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) have developed this interactive workshop and 15 minute video in order to build a better understanding of accommodation issues in the workplace. Versions of the workshop: one-day, half-day, and 1.5 hours. A CD of the half-day content is also available. Contact the Office For Disability Issues (ODI) of HRDC www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/hrib/sdd-dds/odi
    • Also find at the ODI, "A Way With Words and Images": - Learn appropriate terminology for the portrayal of persons with disabilities.
  • A Place For All: A Guide to Creating an Inclusive Workplace: Helps employers understand their legal obligations regarding the duty to accommodate, and create their own workplace accommodation policies and procedures. French version published separately.Downloadable .pdf document at the Canadian Human Rights Commission site (CHRC): "Publications" www.chrc-ccdp.ca/discrimination/place_for_all-en.asp 
  • Barrier-Free Employers: Practical guide for job accommodation for people with disabilities. Intended primarily for employers, company managers and human resources officers, its objective is to promote the integration of people with disabilities into the workplace, and to explain the steps that should be taken in order to facilitate the smooth integration of this productive sector into the labour force. Downloadable .pdf document at the Canadian Human Rights Commission site: "Publications" www.chrc-ccdp.ca/discrimination/barrier_free-en.asp 
  • A Guide to Screening and Selection in Employment, see CHRC "Publications" www.chrc-ccdp.ca
  • The Job Accommodation Service (JAS) provides Canadians with information and support regarding job accommodations to advance the employment of people with disabilities. JAS provides a toll-free number: 1-800-664-0925. Email: jasinfo@ccrw.org
  • The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a free consulting service that provides information about job accommodations, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the employability of people with disabilities. janweb.icdi.wvu.edu

C. Barrier-Free Facilities, Equipment and Technology

  • Adaptive Computer Technology (ACT): Assistive devices and software tools that make the computer accessible and friendly to people with disabilities and injuries.
  • Assistive Devices Industry Office, Industry Canada: Information and tools for both businesses and consumers concerning the research, development, production, and marketing of assistive devices and technology for people with disabilities. Includes:
    • Accessible News bulletins and a list of Canadian research and development groups and referral centres. strategis.ic.gc.ca/sc_mangb/asstdev/burst.html;
    • The Assessment Procurement Toolkit: This site will generate a listing of requirements you can use to ensure that the technology or service being purchased is accessible. www.apt.gc.ca.
  • Environment Canada Adaptive Computer Technology (ACT) Program's mandate is to assist in the integration into the workplace of EC employees with disabilities who require computer access. Gives ideas on modifications and available training. www.ec.gc.ca/act-tia/
  • The Office for Disability Issues of HRDC has an adaptive computer technology (ACT) Web site that is designed primarily to help federal government employees with disabilities and injuries find the appropriate adaptive computer technology solutions for a more productive workplace. www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/hrib/sdd-dds/odi
  • Employment Equity Positive Measures Program (EEPMP) Workplace Adjustment for Persons With Disabilities: International Best Practice Study of Barrier-free Designs and Accessibility Policies - by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). www.psc-cfp.gc.ca
  • Web Accessibility: The Treasury Board Secretariat has several sites of interest to those designing web pages:
  • The Neil Squire Foundation: "Education, Technology and Career Development for People with Physical Disabilities"
    • Employment Access Skills Employment (E.A.S.E.) training program.
    • Consultation and Assessment - recommends appropriate computer; and office assistive technology, and provides the training to use it;
    • Research and Development develops and tests technology to benefit people with physical disabilities;
    • Community Access Program Accessibility Workshop - Learn how to transform an inaccessible workstation into one suitable for access by people with a wide range of disabilities. www.neilsquire.ca/
  • Adaptive Environments (USA) promotes inclusion, accessibility and universal design through education programs, technical assistance, training, consulting, publications and design advocacy. www.adaptenv.org/

D. Legal Developments

  • The Charter Of Rights And Freedoms: See the web site for the Department of Justice Canada laws.justice.gc.ca/en/index.html
  • The Canadian Human Rights Act, and The Employment Equity Act can be located at the Canadian Human Rights Commission site, "Legislation and Policies" www.chrc-ccdp.ca
    • Also, in "Publications", see "Bona fide occupational requirements and bona fide justifications under the Canadian Human Rights Act": The Implications of Meiorin and Grismer. Downloadable .pdf www.chrc-ccdp.ca
  • The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal gives its decisions on cases by complainant and by year. For example, click on "Decisions", then go to the bottom of the page and select "G" for Green to see the case Green vs. PSC, TB, and HRDC www.chrt-tcdp.gc.ca
  • The Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work: WORKink has a web site of legal precedents regarding The Duty To Accommodate, compiled by Michael Lynk. See relevant cases that illustrate "Boundaries", "Undue Hardship", "Modified Duties" and "BFOR". www.workink.com
  • B.C. Human Rights Commission: Human Rights Law in B.C. gives more information on Meiorin and Grismer cases and their implications. www.bchrt.bc.ca/popt/related_links.htm

E. Disabilities And Disability Issues

  • This page lists all of the organizations who contribute to the People with Disabilities Section of the Canadian Health Network (CHN). All of these organizations are Canadian, non-profit, organizations specializing in the field for people with disabilities. www.nbeastersealmarchofdimes.ca/chn/Network_Contributors.htm
  • The Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work is a Canada-wide network of organizations and individuals. Our mission is to promote and support meaningful and equitable employment of people with disabilities. WORKink promotes and supports the employment of persons with disabilities, providing labour market and career information, access to resources, and online experts' assistance. www.workink.com
  • Persons with Disabilities Online, where you can access a broad range of disability related information. www.pwd-online.gc.ca/pwdh.4m.2@.jsp?lang=eng
  • Disability WebLinks offers you a single-window access to federal, provincial and territorial government programs and related services for persons with disabilities. www.disabilityweblinks.ca/
  • The Parliamentary Sub-Committee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities' mandate is: The proposing, promoting, monitoring and assessing of initiatives aimed at the integration and equality of disabled persons in all sectors of Canadian society. www.parl.gc.ca/disability/about/welcome-eng.asp

II. Who To Go To For Accommodation Help

Where do you start when you have an accommodation issue that you are not sure how to handle? Who do you first go to in your Department or Agency?

  • As a person who needs accommodating
  • As a person who has been asked for accommodation
  • As the local person usually consulted on accommodation
  • What if the first attempts are not successful?

Policy: Enquiries

Enquiries should be directed to human resource or employment equity personnel in your department or agency. They may review questions of policy interpretation or clarification with the Employment Equity Division of the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat or with the Public Service Commission.

Information may also be obtained from the Canada Public Service Agency Diversity Division's Web site at the following address, www.hrma-agrh.gc.ca/ee or from the PSC Web site at www.psc-cfp.gc.ca



Date modified: