A quarter of British Columbians with disabilities experienced discrimination: Poll

Nearly half (47 per cent) said the incidents of discrimination occurred in their workplace, while 28 per cent said they experienced it in schools.

One in four British Columbians with a disability said they’ve experienced discrimination in the past year, found a recent poll.

Nearly half (47 per cent) said the incidents of discrimination occurred in their workplace, while about 40 per cent said it happened in a public space, like a store or restaurant, according to findings from a Research Co. poll.

About 28 per cent said they were discriminated against for their disability while in school.

B.C.’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner said the poll reveals high rates of discrimination and stigma people with disabilities face.

However, it’s an issue that’s far from mind among the general population, with only 12 per cent of respondents saying accessibility and rights of people with disabilities is an important human rights issue to them.

“We have a lot of work to do to eliminate discrimination and achieve real accessibility for people with disabilities,” said B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner Kasari Govender in a statement on Tuesday.

“That’s why my office — working closely with disability representative organizations from across the province — is launching a public awareness campaign today about ableism in our communities.”

The #RewriteTheRules campaign aims to raise awareness about ableism — social prejudice that favours the needs and experiences of non-disabled people — and how it can be addressed.

The campaign will include online and social media ads and ads on Vancouver streets, at SkyTrain stations in Vancouver and Burnaby, and at bus shelters and the airport in Prince George.

The campaign will run until Nov. 20.

chchan@postmedia.com

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