Nearly four million Canadians with disabilities encountered communication barriers in 2022, with in-person interactions and digital access among the most common challenges, according to new data released by Statistics Canada.
The findings, drawn from the 2022 Canadian Survey on Disability and a 2024 follow-up on accessibility and information and communication technology (ICT), highlight the scope of obstacles faced by people with disabilities in Canada.
Out of 8 million Canadians aged 15 and older living with one or more disabilities, 48 per cent faced barriers related to communication, and 17 per cent experienced difficulty using the Internet in the year preceding the 2022 survey.
Communication issues were most commonly reported in face-to-face interactions. Nearly one in three respondents with disabilities (29 per cent) cited challenges speaking with family or close friends, while 27 per cent reported difficulties communicating with medical professionals and 26 per cent with the general public, including customer service and government representatives.
Digital access also remains a concern. Thirteen per cent of persons with disabilities encountered barriers when trying to access government services online, 11 per cent had trouble booking appointments or reservations, and 9 per cent struggled with online shopping or banking.
In 2024, nearly three in ten individuals with long-term conditions or disabilities (29 per cent) faced difficulties using a smartphone, with the most common problems involving downloading apps (12 per cent), using touchscreens (11 per cent), and manipulating device controls (10 per cent). A quarter of respondents also reported barriers while engaging in communication-related activities online, such as a lack of adjustable settings or limited time to complete actions.
The data show that individuals with more severe disabilities and those with multiple types of impairments were significantly more likely to face these barriers. For example, 65 per cent of respondents with very severe disabilities experienced communication barriers, compared to 33 per cent of those with mild disabilities. Similarly, 47 per cent of those with four or more disability types faced Internet-related barriers, compared to 8 per cent of those with just one type.
Access to support services also plays a key role. Among individuals with unmet needs for aids or help with daily living, 57 per cent faced communication barriers and 22 per cent faced Internet-use barriers, compared to 35 and 10 per cent respectively among those whose support needs were met.
The odds of encountering accessibility barriers also varied by demographic. In 2022, 61 per cent of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals with disabilities experienced communication barriers, compared to 45 per cent of their non-2SLGBTQ+ peers. Those in the lowest income bracket were also more likely to report barriers than those in higher income groups.
Younger people, particularly those aged 15 to 24, reported higher rates of communication-related barriers (54 per cent) than most other age groups. However, they were slightly less likely to report Internet-related issues.
Certain types of disabilities were associated with higher odds of encountering communication and Internet-use barriers. Hearing, developmental, mental health, and memory-related disabilities were all linked to increased likelihood of experiencing such barriers, the agency said.
The analysis, which draws on more than one data set, is intended to support implementation of the federal Accessible Canada Act, which aims to identify, remove and prevent accessibility barriers in priority areas such as communication and ICT.
