Seeing disabilities, 2022

Release date: January 3, 2025
Infographic: Seeing disabilities, 2022
Description: Seeing disabilities, 2022

  • In 2022, 7.4% of Canadians (or almost 2.2 million individuals) aged 15 years and over had a seeing disability.Note 1
  • Proportion of Canadians with a seeing disability by age group:
    • 15 to 24 years: 4.3 %
    • 25 to 44 years: 4.5%
    • 45 to 64 years: 8.9%
    • 65 years and over: 11.4%
  • Women+ (8.8%) were more likely than men+ (5.9%) to have a seeing disability.Note 2
  • 18% of persons with a seeing disability needed specialized care from an ophthalmologist, optometrist, or optician.
  • 22% of persons with a seeing disability used specialized features on a device, specialized software or apps, or other adaptations. Of these individuals…
    • 38% used speech-to-text, text-to-speech or voice recognition software
    • 29% used screen magnification software
    • 12% used a screen reader
  • Approximately 6 in 10  (63%) persons with a more severe seeing disability received helpNote 3 with at least one type of everyday activity, compared to 4 in 10 (43%) of persons with a less severe seeing disability.
  • 36% of employed persons with a seeing disability, aged 25 to 64, required one or more workplace accommodations. Of these individuals...
    • 26% required flexible work arrangements
    • 16% required workstation modifications
    • 11% required other equipment or arrangements

Note: The Canadian Survey on Disability covers Canadians aged 15 years and over who experience limitations in their daily activities because of a long-term condition or health-related problem.

Source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Disability, 2022.

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