Race and Disability Canada Projects: The stories, struggles and resilience of newcomers with disabilities
by Bounmy Inthavong
When I envision Canada, I see a vibrant canvas with tales of fresh beginnings. Embedded within these narratives are the intricate stories of newcomers navigating the pathways of immigration, intertwined with journeys of race and disability.
It’s a tapestry woven with hues of resilience amidst adversity, where profound experiences often dwell in the margins—the struggles of Indigenous, Black and racialized communities intersecting with the complex challenges of disability. Together, these stories paint a poignant picture, shining a light on the multifaceted realities newcomers face upon their arrival in Canada.
Canada’s history, marked by colonization, enslavement, racial discrimination and exclusionary immigration policies, casts a shadow on the experiences of these communities.
From the erasure of Indigenous sovereignty to systemic racism within the immigration system, past injustices echo in the lived experiences of newcomers grappling with disabilities. These experiences call for urgent change—a transformation of policies, perspectives and a commitment to breaking down barriers.
Within this landscape, Race and Disability Canada has undertaken an ambitious review to unravel the intricacies of these intersections, spotlight stories and emphasize the urgent need for systemic changes. Our review is based on an IDEA. The Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility (IDEA) Project encompasses:
Intersectional Analysis: Understanding the unique experiences of racialized people with disabilities, including newcomers facing barriers due to their race and disability.
Data Collection: Delving into literature, and gathering survey and focus group data to comprehend:
Challenges faced by racialized people with disabilities.
Barriers encountered by advocates and organizations working on race, disability, and inclusion in the non-profit sector.
Efforts of mainstream disability organizations to achieve diversity and inclusion goals concerning race and disability, and how we can support them.
Our work goes beyond raising awareness. It’s a call to action. It’s about reshaping policies and amplifying narratives. It’s about advocating for systemic changes that acknowledge the multifaceted challenges faced by newcomers at the intersections of race and disability.
Canada’s promise of inclusivity and diversity beckons, but it necessitates collective effort—crafting policies to dismantle systemic barriers, and fostering a culture of understanding, support and equity for newcomers with disabilities.
These stories, woven with hardship, speak of resilience and determination. They urge us to build a Canada where every newcomer, regardless of race or disability, finds genuine support, recognition and a true sense of belonging—a Canada where every story contributes to the vibrant narrative of the nation’s identity.
The results will catalyze further research, community-based projects and collaborations beyond the disability sector to advance accessibility and inclusion for racialized people with disabilities. As part of our commitment to change, we’re actively involved in:
Empowering Non-Profits: Developing communities of practice in Toronto, Winnipeg, and Vancouver. These forums allow organizations to unlearn and relearn, implementing sustainable systemic changes that include racialized people with disabilities in their policies and services.
Education and Training: Leveraging outcomes from research and communities of practice to develop training programs and educational initiatives supporting broader accessibility and inclusion goals for racialized people with disabilities in Canada.
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Bounmy Inthavong is a researcher with Race and Disability Canada. Follow Race and Disability Canada:
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This project is funded by the Government of Canada’s Social Development Partnerships Program-Disability Component (SDPP-D).
