Higher Education Reduces Employment Barriers for Immigrants with Disabilities in Canada

New federal research shows that higher education plays a decisive role in closing employment gaps for immigrants with disabilities in Canada. A joint study released in December 2025 by Statistics Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada reveals that immigrants with disabilities who hold university degrees experience significantly stronger employment outcomes than those with lower levels of education.

Using data from the 2022 Canadian Survey on Disability, researchers examined how education levels affect workforce participation among immigrants and Canadian-born individuals with disabilities. The findings point to education as one of the most effective tools for reducing labour market inequality.

Employment Challenges Persist at Lower Education Levels

The study confirms that immigrants with disabilities face notable disadvantages in the labour market, particularly when educational attainment is limited. Among individuals with a high school diploma or less, employment rates were consistently lower for people with disabilities compared to those without, regardless of immigration status.

These gaps were especially pronounced for women. Immigrant women with disabilities who had lower levels of education were significantly less likely to be employed than their counterparts without disabilities. Similar patterns appeared among Canadian-born populations, indicating that disability-related barriers extend beyond immigration status.

Several factors contribute to this trend, including limited access to workplace accommodations, fewer job options in physically demanding roles, and long-standing systemic barriers in education and training environments.

University Education Narrows the Gap Significantly

The most striking finding emerged at the highest level of education. Among immigrants holding a bachelor’s degree or higher, employment gaps narrowed sharply and, in some cases, disappeared entirely.

Immigrant men with disabilities who had university degrees were far more likely to be employed than those with only secondary education. While a small employment difference remained between men with and without disabilities, it was substantially smaller than at lower education levels.

For immigrant women, the results were even more notable. Those with bachelor’s degrees or higher achieved employment rates comparable to women without disabilities, effectively eliminating the employment gap observed at lower education levels.

How Immigrants Compare with Canadian-Born Workers

The research also compared immigrant outcomes with those of Canadian-born individuals. At most education levels, employment differences between immigrants and Canadian-born workers with disabilities were relatively similar.

This suggests that disability-related employment barriers are not primarily driven by immigration status. Instead, education appears to be the key factor that determines whether individuals with disabilities can access stable employment. At higher education levels, both immigrant and Canadian-born groups showed stronger employment outcomes, reinforcing the role of postsecondary education as a critical equalizer.

Why Education Makes Such a Difference

Jobs requiring university credentials are more likely to offer flexible working conditions, less physical strain, and greater accommodation options. These roles also tend to place more emphasis on specialized knowledge and skills rather than physical labour.

In contrast, jobs available to individuals with lower levels of education are often more physically demanding and less adaptable, which can limit opportunities for people with disabilities.

The study suggests that improving access to higher education, including accommodations, financial support, and inclusive learning environments, could have long-term benefits for labour market participation.

Implications For Policy and Workforce Planning

As Canada continues to rely on immigration to support labour force growth, these findings carry important implications. Strengthening educational pathways for immigrants with disabilities could help improve employment outcomes while supporting broader economic goals.

Targeted supports at both the education and employment stages may reduce reliance on lower-paying jobs and increase long-term workforce inclusion. The research confirms that higher education reduces employment barriers for immigrants with disabilities, particularly for women and those entering professional occupations. While challenges remain at lower education levels, university credentials significantly improve access to employment and help close long-standing gaps. Expanding inclusive education opportunities may be one of the most effective ways to improve labour market outcomes for immigrants with disabilities across Canada.