DM/DMA Message: Streamlining accessibility accommodations with the new Accessibility Passport

March 5, 2024 - Defence Stories

We are pleased to announce that the Government of Canada Workplace Accessibility Passport is now accessible to Department of National Defence (DND) public service employees.

As part of our efforts under the DND Accessibility Action Plan, the Passport will play a key role in ensuring public service workplaces maintain the same level of accessibility for all public service employees. Workplace barriers can affect persons with disabilities every day and this new tool will enable them to:

• Document the barriers they face in the workplace;
• Identify possible solutions and adaptive measures;
• Facilitate conversations about accommodations with their managers; and
• Eliminate the need for formal accommodation requests to be repeatedly submitted since it will stay with the employee throughout their public service career.

While more work remains, the Passport is an important step towards creating an environment where Defence Team members can thrive in a fair, inclusive, and diverse workplace.

The way forward

As part of this work, Defence leadership will continue its ongoing collaboration with the Defence Advisory Group for People with Disabilities and the newly established Defence Team Accessibility Office, key partners that provide invaluable advice and insight on challenges that we must overcome to ensure equitable representation and treatment of persons with disabilities within Defence.

We encourage managers to learn more about the Passport and how they can support employees who are using it. We also encourage everyone to learn more about the Department of National Defence Accessibility Plan and the work we’re doing to create a more accessible and barrier-free workplace.

Together, let’s start conversations about the Passport and work toward fostering an even more representative, equitable workforce composed of people with different perspectives, backgrounds, and attributes.

Additional information

For DND Public Service employees is available on HR-Civ’s intranet at The GC Workplace Accessibility Passport (accessible only on the National Defence network).