FASD and the Workplace

Oct 3, 2025 In this final blog on FASD and Employment, we will look at the potential impact incorporating neurodiverse individuals into our workforce will have on our province. According to the 2021 Census, 10.1% of our population or 1.4 million non-Indigenous Ontarians are living below the poverty line or $26,570 annually. Also according to the 2021 Census, of the 73,000 Indigenous people living in Ontario and poverty, 33% live on a reserve and 16% live off-reserve. Finally, according to the Census, 21% of Ontarians or 1 in 5 people living in poverty are living with a disability. However, the Canadian Labour Market research shows while only 45.4% of Ontarians living with a disability are currently employed, they are generating a mean annual income of $59,000. Interestingly, the monthly Ontario Labour market report tracks unemployment for sex, age, visible minority, immigrant status and Indigenous group but does not for people living with disabilities. As a result, this current economic reality creates additional stress on our affordable housing market, food banks, emergency wards, shelters, support services and prisons. While a basic income is required to ensure a person living with a disability has the financial means to access employment services, communicate with employers, live in a stable and safe home, and have a healthy diet, ideally, it serves as a safety net during employment transitions according to the original purpose of ODSP as seen by several of our members. A person living with a disability just needs the opportunity to have increased economic well-being through workforce retention, have poverty eliminated, experience social inclusion for an improved quality of life. Through our focus groups of stakeholders, Rural FASD developed the following justification for an Ontario framework on income generation using the aforementioned United Nations ToC and the model established by Alberta in 2009 which currently has the highest income level and lowest poverty rates among people living with disabilities in the country. This justification is designed to serve as a starting point for dialogue in the hopes of creating future change. The key highlight is Alberta’s evaluation that their return on investment is between 150 to 290%. It should also be noted the budget will be much less due to already existing outputs in various Ministries and programs. The other recommendation our focus groups made was the initial focus of the framework needs to be on the educational system. Of the seven intermediate outcomes, enhanced skills and employability, strengthened support systems and improved financial literacy and management are the initial outcomes and best suited in our educational system using best practices for neurodiverse individuals. We recognize this information reflects a very large paradigm shift in our thinking and attitudes which is why bringing stakeholders together and identifying initial steps is crucial. This is why Rural FASD is one of many organizations partnering with CanFASD at its biannual international conference being held at the Hilton Downtown Toronto Oct 21-23. This conference’s theme is Shaping the Future of FASD: From Evidence to Action and spots are filling up fast. Finally, if you want to learn more on how people living with disabilities can be added to our workforce, please come to our next FASD Awareness Day at Queen’s Park on Thursday, Oct 23 from 10:30 to 1pm sponsored by MPP John Jordan of Lanark, Frontenac and Kingston. You will have an opportunity to speak directly and have lunch with multiple young adults living with FASD who have become employed. We also invite all MPP’s interested in speaking at this luncheon to contact Jayne at opm@ruralfasd.ca to be added to the itinerary. To all members of the public interested in attending, please reach out to your local MPP to join them as a guest. Rob More, MA, OCT Father of three amazing adult children living with FASD