Disability advocates in Canada are mobilizing. Vocalized through the advocacy of activist and retired lawyer David Lepofsky, they are asking political leaders to focus on the very urgent needs of those living with disabilities ahead of October’s election. As someone who is blind, Lepofsky shines a light on the systemic barriers that persist to this day, blocking accessibility and support for disabled Canadians. He describes how these barriers have caused a “vicious cycle” that drowns out the voices of those impacted.
Lepofsky chairs the grassroots Advocacy for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Alliance. He is a loud and active advocate for the failures of our current disability supports, and he integrates support programs. As he explains, Canada is falling seriously behind other nations in creating an accessible and inclusive society for people with disabilities. As the election looms, he calls on party leaders to focus on this group. Now, they have to actually do something serious to make a real change in their favor.
The Canada Disability Benefit and Its Shortcomings
One of the most contentious issues in the disability community is the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), which Lepofsky criticized during its introduction in the House of Commons in 2024. He expressed deep disappointment about the support being shared through the CDB. He said the program only provides a “paltry” $200 per month to eligible working-age, low-income individuals with disabilities. He argues that this paltry lack of support will continue to have many disabled Canadians “languishing in poverty” despite the help of the provinces.
Lepofsky is calling for some serious improvements to the CDB. He doesn’t stop there, though he says benefit payments should be raised by “at least $1,000 to $2,000 a month.” He claims this move would be life-changing for the millions of Americans who are currently working hard yet still busting at the seams. He places specific emphasis on the immediate need to reform the qualification process for the CDB. He describes it as “problematic” and “full of bureaucratic red tape.”
“That’s not what Parliament did. Instead, they restricted the Canada Disability Benefit to the very problematic qualifications and bureaucratic way to qualify for the narrow Canada Disability Tax Credit.” – David Lepofsky
Urging Political Leaders to Take Action
With the election now just weeks away, Lepofsky wants to see all the political parties sign the Accessible Canada Pledge. This new initiative aims to break down systemic barriers that limit access and ensure full inclusion of people with disabilities. He wants to see this pledge grow to 1,000 signatories so that political leaders will show their commitment to inclusivity and accessibility by making the pledge first.
Politician must do this Lepofsky, however, maintains that politicians must be specific in spelling out how they would address these gaps and deficiencies. He states, “There’s no good reason why our politicians shouldn’t be answering what they would do to tear those barriers down.” His call to action strikes a chord with millions of Canadians who have been left behind or ignored by their so-called leaders.
Rowena Edwards, a fellow disability justice advocate, agreed with Lepofsky’s assessment. She took her time to share her anger about how, every four years, the needs of people with disabilities are ignored in political campaigns. Edwards declared, “Our leaders don’t even consider us,” highlighting the disconnect between politicians and people who are disabled.
“It’s time for the other four candidates for prime minister to step up to the plate and to show us that people with disabilities in Canada matter too.” – David Lepofsky
Living with Disabilities: A Call for Empathy
The lived political experiences of people like Edwards illustrate the desperate need for empathy and understanding from our leaders at all levels of government. Edwards thinks candidates should live like a person with a disability, even if only for a week. He believes that this first-person experience would lead to the kind of dramatic change that is needed.
“I wish each candidate had to live our lives for one week, only then do I believe things would change.” – Rowena Edwards
As Edwards testified, raising the level of benefits would be nothing short of a miracle for many people. She emphasized the struggle faced by those reliant on limited support systems, stating, “An extra thousand [dollars] a month would be life-changing.”
Lepofsky’s advocacy is about more than just delivering financial aid. He recommends going beyond tariff barriers and urges the removal of all barriers faced by persons with disabilities to which he calls attention. He argues that an effective government has to understand these realities. It also needs to do something about them if it really wants to be a city for all its citizens.
“Not just about tariff barriers, but about all barriers, including those which impede people with disabilities from equal opportunity in our society.” – David Lepofsky
