As workers and activists, we need to understand that not all disabilities are immediately noticeable – from mental illness to learning differences, diabetes, chronic pain, cognitive dysfunction and much more. People who have long COVID may experience symptoms that are invisible and can face complex challenges if they become disabled. CUPE strongly supports the struggle of disability justice and disability rights movements.
There are wide range of disabilities including sensory, intellectual, physical or mobility, mental health or psychiatric, neurodiversity and more. For persons with disabilities who have intersecting identities, such as women, Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQI+ people, the impacts are even worse. We encourage all union leaders to take action to advance disability rights in our workplaces.
Disability justice is a union issue. Advocating for solidarity with workers with disabilities and for cross-disability solidarity is crucial to an equitable workplace. Dismantling ableism and achieving disability justice makes life better for all workers.
Take action
- Use December 3 to educate and advocate for disability justice at work, in your local and in your community.
- Bargain for measures that support disability rights in your collective agreement, including employment equity, duty to accommodate, short and long-term disability coverage and language on mental health, HIV/AIDS and episodic disabilities.
- Use the Canadian Labour Congress guide “Doing Things Differently: A Disability Rights At Work Handbook.”
- Support calls for a Canada Disability Benefit that truly lifts people with disabilities out of poverty.
- Keep an eye out for new resources for CUPE’s national campaign to raise awareness on the diversity of identities, abilities, and challenges faced by persons with disabilities.