Other Resources
Along with the Working it Out Report, we also developed other resources to accompany the report.
Disability Advocacy
Psoriasis affects up to 1 million Canadians and is a chronic inflammatory condition of the skin, causing itchiness and pain. Approximately 30% of people with psoriasis live with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), a chronic, autoimmune form of arthritis that causes joint inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the joints. Often people with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis are in their prime working years. Psoriasis symptoms can begin at any age but often begins between the ages of 15 and 25. People with psoriasis or PsA often live with comorbidities, including diabetes, depression, anxiety, and cardiovascular disease, causing further stigma and discrimination. These health conditions are episodic in nature – meaning people can experience periods of low disease activity followed by a flare or exacerbation of disease. Because these illnesses are lifelong and affect financial security, employment, and transitions from school to work, it is important that people have early support and that employers and schools take action to support people living with psoriasis and PsA.
Our Submission to the federal consultation on a Disability Inclusion Action Plan
Ministry of Labour Letters
We shared the key findings from our report with ministries of labour in each province. Ministries of labour are responsible for setting policy, conducting compliance and enforcement, and providing education and they can play an important role in creating inclusive employment and safety standards and programs. By sharing our findings, we are raising awareness about the impacts of psoriatic disease on people's experiences in the workplace and encouraging ministries of labour to educate employers, provide independent human resources specialists and employee assistance programs to employees, establish or expand available sick leave, and help employers be clear about what happens to employees' personal and health information.