Disability Poverty in Canada: Learning from Today to Make Tomorrow Better

DEADLINE for proposals extended to August 15

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. Not a single provincial assistance payment reaches the poverty line, and only two are greater than the Deep Income Poverty Threshold.

In July, the Canada Disability Benefit will launch, a maximum of $200 with eligibility through the Disability Tax Credit, a benefit that many have called “too little money to too few people”.  Articles: National Post  March of Dimes  Inclusion Canada

Perhaps the most shocking thing about these statistics is that few people know about the extent of disability poverty in Canada, and the label of “worthy poor” lingers on the expectation of how disabled people should live their lives.

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

On December 3, 2025, UN International Day for Persons with Disabilities, Disability Without Poverty will be hosting a virtual research symposium, so that we can learn from our situation today and aim to make changes for tomorrow. 

After an opening Keynote, the day will be divided into one-hour sessions. We encourage creativity for virtual presentations, panels, workshops, and any other method to disseminate information and encourage participation.

We encourage a wide interpretation of how disability poverty affects disabled people in Canada, including, but not limited to:

  • The Canada Disability Benefit, what it is and what it could be;
  • The patchwork of benefits, services, and programs that disabled people need, and issues related to accessing them;
  • Eligibility at all levels,
    • But specifically the Disability Tax Credit;
  • Definitions of disability,
    • And solutions to consolidating the many definitions that exist across Canada;
  • Housing, and solutions for disabled people living in poverty;
  • Medical Assistance In Dying (MAID) and disabled people who live in poverty;
  • Institutionalized poverty;
  • And any other topics relevant to disabled people living in poverty in Canada.
We encourage researchers 
  • from any background,
  • attached to academic institutions,
  • those with other organizations,
  • and those working independently to apply.
We encourage disabled researchers, student and early career researchers, and researchers from the intersections that disabled people live in:
  • Racialized people,
  • Indigenous people,
  • Refugees and recent immigrants,
  • Members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community,
  • Institutionalized and previously incarcerated people,
  • And any other marginalized communities we have not listed.

In lieu of poster sessions typically seen at conferences, we encourage those who want to deliver bitesize updates on their research to submit a video, roughly 5 minutes in length, that we will showcase throughout the day.

Submission Guidelines:
  • Presenter information: Include your name, name of other co-presenters, your affiliation (Academic Institution, Organization, or Individual).
  • Style of Presentation: Workshop, Panel Discussion, Lecture, or 5 minute video.
  • Proposal title: Concise and descriptive title of your presentation.
  • Abstract: A summary in 500 words or less outlining your topic, key insights, and relevance to the audience.
  • Indicate if any presenters have a disability.
  • Indicate any accessibility requirements for your session.
All proposals must be submitted by August 1, 2025. For inquiries and submissions, contact: research@disabilitywithoutpoverty.ca
FAQ
  • all events will be virtual.
  • prerecorded presentations may be followed by a Q&A.
  • registration will open in the fall for the December 3 symposium.
  • this event is open to all and free
  • Acceptance letters for proposals will be sent out September 15, 2025.
  • Prerecorded materials to be submitted by November 1, 2025.
  • we will gladly discuss your ideas before you submit, if you wish: research@disabilitywithoutpoverty.ca