Skip to content
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Youtube
occ-logo
  • Rapid tests available for small business!
  • COVID-19
    • Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Webinars
    • Our Advocacy
    • COVID-19 Policy Brief Series
    • SME Difference Makers
    • Work From Home
    • Mental Health Resources
    • How to Protect Yourself
    • Talk To Us
    • #DifferenceMakers
  • Advocacy
    • Blueprint To Bolster Ontario’s Prosperity
    • COVID-19 Policy Brief Series
    • Ontario Climate Action Series
    • Ontario Economic Report
    • Our Publications
    • Vote Prosperity
  • Councils
  • Events
    • Advocacy Day
    • Annual General Meeting
    • Ontario Business Advisory Council
    • Ontario Business Achievement Awards
    • Ontario Economic Summit
  • Webinars
  • Programs
    • Grow Your Business Online
    • Talent Opportunities Program
    • Discover Ability Network
    • Canada United Small Business Relief Fund
    • Export and Trade
  • Membership
    • Affinity Programs
  • News
    • Media Releases
    • Policy Updates
    • Blogs
  • About
    • Contact
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Employment
    • Strategic Plan
Asset 6
x
x
  • Rapid tests available for small business!
  • COVID-19
    • Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Webinars
    • Our Advocacy
    • COVID-19 Policy Brief Series
    • SME Difference Makers
    • Work From Home
    • Mental Health Resources
    • How to Protect Yourself
    • Talk To Us
    • #DifferenceMakers
  • Advocacy
    • Blueprint To Bolster Ontario’s Prosperity
    • COVID-19 Policy Brief Series
    • Ontario Climate Action Series
    • Ontario Economic Report
    • Our Publications
    • Vote Prosperity
  • Councils
  • Events
    • Advocacy Day
    • Annual General Meeting
    • Ontario Business Advisory Council
    • Ontario Business Achievement Awards
    • Ontario Economic Summit
  • Webinars
  • Programs
    • Grow Your Business Online
    • Talent Opportunities Program
    • Discover Ability Network
    • Canada United Small Business Relief Fund
    • Export and Trade
  • Membership
    • Affinity Programs
  • News
    • Media Releases
    • Policy Updates
    • Blogs
  • About
    • Contact
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Employment
    • Strategic Plan
search_White

Six Ways to Tap Into the Multi-Billion-Dollar Market

COVID-19 Information COVID-19 Resources
Tools and Resources Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit Frequently Asked Questions Webinars Our Advocacy Policy Brief Series SME Difference Makers Government News Work From Home Mental Health Resources How to Protect Yourself Talk To Us #DifferenceMakers
Become a Member
Become a Member >
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Youtube

Blog

Six Ways to Tap Into the Multi-Billion-Dollar Market

May 11, 2019

In Canada, there is a largely untapped market representing a purchasing power worth billions of dollars annually. And if you are not accessing this segment of the market, your competition is.

What is this market? People with disabilities.

People living with disabilities are not just a niche market, in fact: one in five Canadians has a disability. And they represent purchasing power worth a whopping $55 billion annually.

So what can you do to tap into this market? Here are six ways to get started:

  1. Expand your definition of inclusivity
    Hiring from a few “diverse” demographics (e.g. women, the LGBT community) doesn’t translate to full inclusivity. Companies that don’t include people with disabilities in their recruiting universe are losing out on an educated, talented and motivated group of potential employees.
  2. Take advantage of your power
    Business owners have the power to effect change. As leaders in the community, your commitment to being an inclusive employer goes a long way in your relationships with customers and suppliers.
  3. Act, don’t just donate
    When corporations are recognized for donating money to inclusivity causes, they often feel they’ve done their part. Writing a cheque is a good thing; being an inclusive employer is better for your bottom line and better for our economy.
  4. Go beyond legislation
    Government legislation isn’t designed to ensure inclusivity; it simply appeals to the lowest common denominator. Attitudes cannot be changed with legislation. Only hiring people with disabilities solves the problem of inclusion.
  5. Appeal to a huge market
    53% of Canadians have a disability or are related to someone with a disability. That’s more than half the population. Companies who ignore this important employee and consumer demographic are foregoing a competitive advantage.
  6. Think outside the elevator
    Corporations often believe that accessible entrances, ramps and elevators determine inclusivity. But only 6% of the disability community actually uses a wheelchair or scooter. Did you know that most disabilities are non-visible?.

Ready to make your business more inclusive and accessible? For more information, visit: Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

The AODA aims to identify, remove and prevent barriers for Ontarians with disabilities, with a goal of making Ontario fully accessible by 2025. The Standards under the Act contain the rules businesses and organizations must follow to identify, prevent and remove barriers for people with disabilities. The report can be accessed at: www.ontario.ca/accessibility.

And other provinces are following suit. Manitoba and Nova Scotia have or are in the process of developing legislation to improve accessibility for people with disabilities (Accessibility for Manitobans Act,  Nova Scotia: Accessibility Legislation, 2016), and British Columbia and Saskatchewan have established action plans (Accessibility 2024, BC, Saskatchewan Disability Strategy).

If you are interested in hiring persons with disabilities, check out: discoverability.network.

Previous

Ensuring Metrolinx Staff Are Always Fit for Duty

Next

Small riders – Big futures

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Youtube

Site Nav

  • Advocacy
  • Events
  • Programs
  • Membership
  • News
  • About
  • Contact

Receive Updates

Subscribe to our mailing list and stay up to date on everything with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce

Subscribe Now
PREMIER MEMBERS
TELUS SNC Lavalin Ontario Power Generation Hydro One CPAO Bell BDO Canada RBC Royal Bank Ontario Real Estate Association Medavie Blue Cross Primerica CN Desjardins PwC McCarthy Tetrault Coca-Cola Canada Meridian Credit Union Uber BMO Bank of Montreal Bruce Power Air Canada Power Corporation of Canada Boehringer Ingelheim Eli Lilly Greater Toronto Airports Authority Aecon Enbridge Rogers Google WSIB Ontario Waste Connections of Canada Cogeco Omers Labatt Arcelor Mittal IBC GSK LiUNA ICG Northeastern University Fire and Flower Golfdale Consulting The Stratagem Group TLN Media Group 407 ETR Concession Company Ltd. Accerta Rothmans, Benson and Hedges (RBH) Grasshopper AstraZeneca Bio Marin Pharmaceutical Birch Hill Equity Partners Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals CF Industries Cisco Systems Canada Club Link Corporation Innovative Medicines Canada Magna Carta International Pfizer Canada Inc. Service Now The Canada Life Assurance Company Northbridge Consulting Insurance MNP Takeda TC Energy Destination Nothern Ontario Interac Corp. DoorDash Staffy Microsoft Cadillac Fairview Meta Beer Canada Shopify Inc

Ontario Chamber of Commerce © 2023 | Privacy Policy | Service Standard | Employment Opportunities
The OCC is an accredited chamber of commerce