Health is defined as “a state of complete physical, social and mental wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (WHO, 1948) When looking at the health of Canadians who are living with disabilities, we are profoundly delinquent in two of the three categories outlined above. The traditional medical model is built on the belief that science can cure all illness and disease but ignores other important environmental and social factors (www.cdhn.org) The social - ecological model understands health to be affected by the interaction between the individual, the group/community, and the physical, social, and political environments (National Institute of Health Publication, 2011, pp.20)
When examining the health of Canadian’s who are living with disabilities within the social- ecological model of health, there are many factors that must be considered. Poverty being at the root. In 2021, Disability without Poverty released a report which stated that people with disabilities are twice as likely to live in poverty than those without disabilities, and disabled people typically live 30% below the poverty line. Unemployment rates for persons with disabilities in Canada varies by the severity of the disability but is as high as 73.2% in severely disabled category (STAT Canada 2023)
In Manitoba, the poverty line is $25 471 for unattached singles. If a person with a disability can not work or can not find work, they can apply to receive disability benefits which would provide a yearly income of $13,116, well below the poverty line.
Photo: Kasley Killam
Strategies to reduce the stigma around persons with disabilities needs to be addressed at all levels. Being able to secure and maintain meaningful employment for persons with disabilities is paramount in their ability to be independent and take control over other aspects of their lives. The Accessibility for Manitobans Act became law December 5, 2013, with the purpose to remove and prevent barriers that affect current and potential members of the labor force and builds on the current Manitoba Human rights code (Accessibility Manitoba 2022). Education and enforcement of this act, which is in place to fight discrimination and help provide meaningful employment for persons with disabilities is the first step required. Job security which in turn provides income security is at the ground level of helping this marginalized group of individuals move towards achieving overall health and wellness. March of Dimes Canada suggests “Nothing about us without us” as a guiding principle for policy development. By involving people with disabilities, the government can avoid creating experiences that are frustrating, exhausting and dehumanizing. Allowing individuals from marginalized groups to have a voice at all levels is required for any sustainable change.
References
Manitoba: Poverty Central (2020). Campaign2020. Retrieved from: https://campaign2000.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Manitoba-Poverty-Central-2020-Report-Update-1.pdf
EIA for Persons with Disabilities (2023) . Manitoba Government. Retrieved from : https://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/eia/eia_disability.html
The Accessibility for Manitobans Act (2013) . Accessibility Manitoba. Retrieved from: https://accessibilitymb.ca/accessibility/the-accessibility-for-manitobans-act.html
Labour force status for adults with disabilities by disability type (2023). Statistics Canada. Retrieved from:
Principles of community engagement (2nd ed.). (2011). National Institute of Health Publication. Retrieved from :
Applying the Social-Ecological Model of Health to Loneliness (Dec.2020). Kasley Killam. Retrieved from:
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