Research

Episodic disabilities

CWGHR is a leader in research and advocacy to address the needs of individuals with episodic disabilities.

Currently, a multi-year CWGHR research project is shedding new light on the policy and program issues that prevent people with episodic disabilities from participating in the labour force. The project’s research and activities include:

• A review of national and international income support policies and programs to determine recommendations (PDF: 1240 KB) for policy and program change in Canada.
• An economic assessment (PDF: 6820 KB) of how a hypothetically more flexible Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP-D) benefit program would impact people with episodic disabilities, the government and the economy.
• An analysis (PDF: 679 KB) of the knowledge and training needs of human resources professionals regarding episodic disabilities.
• A national summit (PDF: 825 KB) of stakeholders from across the country.
• Workshops and presentations to policymakers, employers, human resources professionals, labour representatives, insurance providers and other stakeholders.
• Development and dissemination of educational and communications resources.

Workplace pilot project

The final stage of the research is a national pilot project designed to increase opportunities for people with episodic disabilities to participate in the labour force.

The project will:

• test new models for flexible employment and income support that allow people with episodic disabilities to re-enter the workplace without risking their income security
• evaluate the impact on people with episodic disabilities, their workplace and the broader economic impact, and
• make policy recommendations.

The pilot project involves employers, federal and provincial governments and non-governmental organizations such as CWGHR who work with people with episodic disabilities. A description of the project (PDF: 1410 KB) is available for employers who are interested in participating as a pilot site. More information is also available by contacting the project manager.

This research was funded by Human Resources and Social Development Canada.

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