2026 - Determinants of Disability Poverty

The statistics on disability poverty in Canada are stark. In 2022, 1 in 6 disabled people lived in poverty, representing over 1.5 million people, and 1 in 3 disabled people living alone lived in poverty.[1] Not a single provincial/territorial social assistance payment reaches the poverty line, and only two are greater than the Deep Income Poverty Threshold.[2]

Perhaps the most shocking thing about these statistics is that few people know about the extent of disability poverty in Canada. However, this cannot continue to be true. We must call this out for the national emergency it is and work together to lift disabled people out of poverty.

Call for Submissions

We are no longer accepting submissions. We thank all applicants for their interest and have informed successful applicants.

PRELIMINARY AGENDA (Speakers subject to change as confirmations come in)

Day 1- December 2nd
12pm ET - Welcome and Land Acknowledgement 
1pm ET – Determinants of Disability Poverty - Administrative Accessibility
2pm ET - Determinants of Disability Poverty Financial Security
3pm ET - Determinants of Disability Poverty - Policy Design
 

Day 2 - December 3rd – International Day for Persons with Disabilities
9am ET – Launch of the 4th Annual Disability Poverty Report card
10am ET - Determinants of Disability Poverty - Social Inequities
11am ET - Determinants of Disability Poverty - Political Will 
12pm ET – Town Hall Meeting – Creating the Political Will for Change

Please check back often as we update speakers and open registration!

We thank the Government of Canada for their support through the Official Language Support Program to enable us to provide translation and interpretation for this symposium.

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[1] https://www.disabilitywithoutpoverty.ca/sites/default/files/2024-12/FIN…;

[2] https://maytree.com/changing-systems/data-measuring/welfare-in-canada/