The University of British Columbia has a reputation as a leader in promoting Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI), and has also publicized work done in decolonialization, 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, and anti-racism spaces. 

However, one equity-owed group has been overlooked by the University: Disabled individuals. 

According to the 2016/2017 UBC Benchmark Report, both the Vancouver (3.8%) and Okanagan (4.5%) campuses employ fewer disabled people than the national (4.9%) or provincial (5.8%) averages. Like other equity-owed groups (Women, Aboriginal Peoples, Visible Minorities, Gender- and Sexually-Diverse People), disabled people make up limited numbers in both senior faculty and staff roles across both campuses. 

Until April 2022 when the Centre for Workplace Accessibility was formed, there was no formal support at UBC for disabled staff needing support to remain in the workplace. The only support that existed was the Work Reintegration and Accommodation Program, which supported employees who were off work.

The Disability Affinity Group (DAG) was formed of UBC employees (staff and faculty) from both the Okanagan and Vancouver campuses in 2020. 

DAG has advocated for disability rights, and helped inform the UBC hybrid work policy and is currently requesting that the Office of University Council and Human Resources allow their input on the creation of the UBC Workplace Accommodations Policy, which in its current state is an ableist and archaic policy. This group currently receives no funding or support from UBC.

DAG has been calling for the formation of a Disability Task Force to complement the incredible work done by the Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence (ARIE) Task Force and the Trans, Two-Spirit and Gender Diversity Task Force. The ARIE Task Force report calls for the formation of a Disability Task Force at UBC.

There are currently no disabled voices involved in many discussions that impact them in the workplace at UBC. 

Join the Disability Affinity Group in calling for UBC to form a Disability Task Force of disabled students, faculty and staff.