However, a different pattern emerges when distribution of disabilities is broken down by gender. Men are more likely than women to perceive themselves as having hearing and speaking disabilities, while women are more likely than men to perceive themselves as having mobility, agility and sight disabilities. In recent years, an increased public awareness of disability has resulted in a number of studies being conducted in the workplace. Of particular interest are the employment and education data on the 2.3 million Canadians who reported some level of disability in the 1991 Health and Activity Limitation Survey . Accordingly, any change in survey methodology could result in a wide variation in the reporting of disabilities.
Caution is advised, therefore, in drawing conclusions from the various surveys reported here.
In order to implement the federal government's policies of equal access to employment, training, development and career progression for all of its employees, employment equity personal information databases are maintained for statistical purposes. These self identifying questions are checked off by individuals who consider themselves disadvantaged by a persistent and severe disability. The most prevalent disability among Correctional Service of Canada staff is related to mobility. There were no available data on the prevalence of disabilities among incarcerated offenders. Using the Health and Activity Limitation Survey -1991 User's Guide as a model, research staff designed a short survey instrument.