Disability inclusion action plan: what we've accomplished, 2025 annual update

On this page

• Minister's Message
• Introduction
• Objectives
• Pillar 1: financial security
• Pillar 2: employment
• Pillar 3: accessible and inclusive communities
• Pillar 4: a modern approach to disability

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Minister's Message

As the Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, with the responsibility for advancing accessibility and disability inclusion, I am proud to present the third annual update on Canada's Disability Inclusion Action Plan (Action Plan). Rooted in a human rights approach, the Action Plan is built on the principles of equality, anti-discrimination, participation, and inclusion in the development of our programs and policies.

I remain committed to advancing the Government of Canada's actions on disability inclusion through the framework laid out in the Action Plan.

Disability inclusion benefits everyone. When persons with disabilities have equal opportunities to participate fully in society, we build stronger communities, a more resilient economy, and ultimately, a better Canada for all.

Over the years, meaningful progress has been made under the Action Plan to promote and strengthen accessibility through key initiatives like the Canada Disability Benefit, the Employment Strategy for Canadians with Disabilities, Accessible Canada regulations, and the Disability Benefits Navigation Program. A range of impactful projects have been funded, research and reports published, and frameworks developed.

In the spirit of "Nothing Without Us," the continued progress and evolution of the Action Plan would not have been possible without the close partnership and invaluable contributions of the disability community. The lived experiences of persons with disabilities have informed every aspect of the Action Plan since its inception, and I look forward to continuing this important collaboration.

Together we are building a more inclusive, resilient and accessible Canada.

Patty Hajdu

Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario

Introduction

Canada's Disability Inclusion Action Plan (Action Plan) was launched in October 2022. It was intended to be a blueprint for change for persons with disabilities in Canada. It continues to be that for the 8 million people, or about 27% of Canadians, aged 15 or older, who identify as having a disability. It is focused on concrete actions to make Canada inclusive, fair, and free of physical, societal, and attitudinal barriers. The Action Plan builds upon the commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Action drives progress. The annual update demonstrates the collaborative efforts taking place across the whole of government to support disability inclusion. In the 3 years since its release, many of the original 25 actions have been fully completed or are actively progressing. An additional 15 new actions have been added, reflecting the Government's ongoing momentum in advancing towards a barrier-free Canada.

The cornerstone of the Action Plan was to develop a new disability benefit aimed at improving financial security for working-age persons with disabilities. Since then, annual milestones have steadily advanced this goal, including the coming into force of the Canada Disability Benefit Act in June 2024, the making of its regulations in consultation with the disability community in May 2025, and the launch of the application process in June 2025.

The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) is now a statutory benefit, filling a critical gap in the federal social safety net between the Canada Child Benefit and the Old Age Security program for Canadians with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 64. It is intended to supplement, not replace, existing provincial and territorial income support measures. The first CDB payments began in July 2025, with approximately 186,000 individuals having received payments as of September 28, 2025, just 3 months into the program.

The Action Plan includes a commitment to publicly report on its progress. This report highlights advancements made between December 2024 and September 2025, organized under four pillars: financial security, employment, accessible and inclusive communities, and a modern approach to disability.

The Government of Canada continues to make targeted investments and collaborate across Government to further the inclusion of Canadians with disabilities while advancing key government priorities such as affordability, housing and artificial intelligence. The Action Plan is a living framework, serving as a valuable tool to outline priorities, coordinate efforts, report outcomes, and inform policies and programs to reflect the realities of persons with disabilities in an ever-changing world.

Objectives

The Disability Inclusion Action Plan has 5 key objectives:

1. Improve the social and economic inclusion of persons with disabilities
2. Reduce poverty among persons with disabilities
3. Achieve the Accessible Canada Act goal of a barrier-free Canada by 2040
4. Develop a consistent approach to disability inclusion across the Government of Canada and make it easier for persons with disabilities to access federal programs and services, and
5. Foster a culture of disability inclusion

Actions to meet these objectives are organized under the following pillars:

Pillar 1: financial security

Pillar 2: employment

Pillar 3: accessible and inclusive communities

Pillar 4: a modern approach to disability