Promoting Workplace Safety For People with Disabilities

Everyone working in Ontario has the right to a safe and healthy workplace.  But, for the tens of thousands of people with disabilities employed or seeking employment in this province, getting the information they need to ensure their health and safety at work can be a challenge.

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) offers a wide range of resources to provide people with disabilities with vital information about their rights and responsibilities in the workplace, as well as to help them recognize and avoid hazards at work.  All of these are intended to produce safer, better-informed and more knowledgeable disabled workers (whether seeking employment or currently working) who have the confidence and knowledge they need to work safely.

Information Centre (Toronto)

The Centre, located on the ground floor of our offices at 200 Front St. W. in Toronto, provides information using formats, languages and technologies that meet the diverse needs of WSIB clients. Resources include:

• Walk-in personalized customer service in several languages
• WSIB publications in alternative formats
• Special needs equipment [computer with access software (i.e. Zoomtext), CCTV(closed circuit), Pocket Talker]
• Braille, large print and CD/MP3/Daisy Fact Sheets
• Access to the WSIB website and other health and safety sites 

Multilingual Hotline 

We respond to a wide range of calls in several languages ensuring that all clients have access to, and the ability to better understand, the workplace safety and insurance system.  The TTY is also always available for our deaf or hard of hearing clients.

·         Tel: (416) 344-2000, or toll free: 1-800-465-5606

·         TTY: 1-800-387-0050

·         E-mail:  translation@wsib.on.ca

SafeAbility – Safe and Able to Work

SafeAbility is a health and safety awareness training program for disabled people as they enter the workforce, and for employers who hire people with disabilities. It was developed jointly by the WSIB, Linkup Employment Services, and representatives from various organizations within the disabled community.

·         http://www.safeability.ca

Website Information

The WSIB's new website, www.prevent-it.ca, is designed to help people find out why "There really are no accidents" by providing a variety of workplace health and safety information and resources in an interactive format. Visitors can put their hazard recognition skills to the test and learn about their role in building a prevention culture in their workplace. In addition, the site contains a collection of the WSIB's prevention resources and provides links to our health and safety partners.

Text versions of prevent-it.ca are also available to provide people with learning or physical disabilities another format for accessing the information.  This is an option for people who are not comfortable browsing websites. 

The WSIB's main website at www.wsib.on.ca also provides valuable information on keeping healthy and safe in Ontario workplaces. 

Health and Safety 101

Health and Safety 101 is an award winning interactive website developed by the WSIB in Ontario, to provide young workers with important health and safety information.  This is another useful online resource for people with disabilities and is accessible to people with low vision.

·         http://www.hs101.ca

Community Outreach to the Disabled Community

We have a dedicated Outreach Specialist who is available to take health and safety and prevention information out to disabled people in their own communities by attending community events, workshops, conferences and seminars.

For further information about any of these resources, please contact:

Ray Smith, WSIB Community Outreach Specialist

Tel: (416) 344-5504 or toll-free: 1-800-465-5606-ext 5504

TTY 1-800-387-0050

E-mail: raymond_smith@wsib.on.ca