Measuring Up FAQ

What is a disability?
What is Measuring Up?
What do we mean by accessibility and inclusion?
Why is Measuring Up important to my community?
Why are accessible and inclusive communities important?
What is the business case for employing people with disabilities?
Are there tax deductions for businesses making accessibility modifications for people with disabilities?
Who can I contact for more information about Measuring Up?

Please note: The following definitions are given to terms as they are used within the Measuring Up program. These definitions may be different than those used by other organizations.

What is a disability?

Disability is a general term referring to a range of impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions experienced by individuals; can be visible or invisible, short-term or long-term.

What is Measuring Up?

Measuring Up is a collaborative process that engages persons with disabilities, local government, the business sector and other community leaders to assess and improve local accessibility and inclusion. The Measuring Up process includes a guide to assist communities to assess, prioritize and take action on accessibility and inclusion issues.

What do we mean by accessibility and inclusion?

Accessibility refers to homes, buildings and public spaces, programs and support services being free of barriers and open to all. Inclusion is welcoming and enabling participation from everyone.

Why is Measuring Up important to my community?

Measuring Up provides communities with a framework for discussion, collaboration and change. The health, well-being and strength of a community lies in the participation of all of its citizens and Measuring Up leads communities through a process to become more accessible and inclusive, so everyone benefits.

Why are accessible and inclusive communities important?

Accessible and inclusive communities benefit everyone including older persons, people with injuries or other health issues, parents pushing baby strollers, people carrying heavy items, and tourists.

Persons with disabilities want to be active citizens who contribute their skills and talents to their communities. Through tourism, employment, volunteerism and other means, persons with disabilities contribute to the social and financial well-being of their communities.

Some other reasons why accessible and inclusive communities are important include:

3.6 million Canadians have disabilities, which is 12% of the population
15% of British Columbians have a disability
Persons with disabilities in Canada represent $25 billion in spending power
Of the approximately 4.2 million older persons in Canada, 40% of people 65 years and over identify themselves as having a disability; and more than 53% of people 75 years and over identify themselves as having a disability
The population of older persons in British Columbia is expected to double by 2031; this population benefits from many of the same supports as persons with disabilities of all ages
Ensuring homes, businesses and other public places are accessible when they are built avoids expensive retrofits in the future
Communities that improve accessibility and inclusion will experience social and economic benefits well into the future; these communities are at the leading edge of a global movement
Accessibility and inclusion are directly related to a community’s economic and social sustainability
Accessible and inclusive communities enables persons with disabilities, older persons and others to live in their community of choice, shop locally, and contribute to the community through many social and economic means

What is the business case for employing persons with disabilities?

Persons with disabilities represent a large untapped source of skilled labor in BC. There are currently 400,000 working-age persons with disabilities in British Columbia, with an employment rate of only 44%. Persons with disabilities have equivalent levels of education as the non-disabled working population, but many remain unemployed. With approximately one million job openings expected in the next 12-15 years in BC, persons with disabilities are a viable employment resource.

According to a study conducted by the Minister’s Council on Employment for Persons with Disabilities, persons with disabilities are work-competent, reliable and hard-working individuals. This study also indicated:

90% of persons with disabilities rated average or better on job performance than their non-disabled colleagues
86% of persons with disabilities rated average or better on attendance than their non-disabled colleagues
90% of employers had no change in their insurance costs when they employed persons with disabilities
98% of persons with disabilities rated average or better in work safety than their non-disabled colleagues
Staff retention is 72% higher among persons with disabilities, saving millions of dollars each year in recruitment and training costs

In response to these numbers, the Minister’s Council on Employment for Persons with Disabilities is inviting communities and industry sectors to join the 10 by 10 Challenge to increase employment for persons with disabilities in British Columbia by 10% by 2010. For more information or to register your business, community or agency with the 10 by 10 Challenge, visit www.10by10challenge.gov.bc.ca.

The Minister’s Council on Employment for Persons with Disabilities also provides support and information through Workable Solutions by connecting persons with disabilities with prospective employers. For more information or to participate, please visit www.workablesolutionsbc.ca/.

Are there tax deductions for businesses making accessibility modifications for persons with disabilities?

According to the Canadian Revenue Agency, there are expenses that businesses can incur to earn income other then those listed on Form T2124 and T2032 (refer to Chapter 3-Expenses, Line 9270-"Other Expenses"). This includes making disability-related modifications to your building, and purchasing disability-related devices and equipment.

Businesses can deduct expenses that are incurred for eligible modifications made to a building in the year that they were paid for, instead of having to add them to the capital cost of the building. Eligible modifications include changes made to the building to increase accessibility such as:

Installing hand-activated electric door openers
Installing interior and exterior ramps
Modifying a bathroom, elevator or doorway

Businesses can also deduct expenses paid to install or purchase devices and equipment such as:

Elevator car-position indicators, including Braille panels and audio indicators
Visual fire-alarm indicators
Telephone devices to help people who are hard of hearing
Listening devices for group meetings
Disability specific computer software and hardware attachments

All modifications, devices and equipment that fulfill the criteria outlined by the Canadian Revenue Agency are 100% deductible.

For more information for businesses and self-employed individuals, please contact the Canada Revenue Agency at 1-800-959-5525 or www.cra-arc.gc.ca/menu-e.html.

Who can I contact for more information about Measuring Up?

For additional information, please contact The Social Planning and Research Council of BC at www.sparc.bc.ca.