Navigating Employment with Young Onset Parkinson's Disease: Legal Rights, Disclosure, and Accommodations (2023)

In this webinar, Andrew Rob, the managing lawyer of Disability Alliance BC's disability law clinic, offered a comprehensive overview of Disability Law Clinic and human rights laws in Canada. Mr. Rob began by introducing the clinic's purpose and services, diving into the Canadian human rights laws. He highlighted key aspects, such as disability discrimination, accommodation, and undue hardship, emphasizing the roles and responsibilities of both employers and employees in accommodating individuals with disabilities.

The presentation underscored that employers are obliged to inquire about disability-related work impacts before considering termination, while employees are encouraged to disclose their disabilities and engage in accommodation discussions in good faith. Mr. Rob clarified that such disclosure is typically advantageous.

The talk also covered the range of reasonable accommodations employers should provide, including duty adjustments, workspace alterations, specialized equipment, or medical treatment leave. Additionally, it addressed legal actions for workplace disabilities, clarifying that employers may not be obligated to pay for disability-related time off in certain cases. It discussed accommodation options and legal recourse through human rights complaints or grievance arbitration processes.

Towards the end, the presentation catered to Parkinson's patients, offering guidance on parking signs and disability tax credits. The audience was directed to resources like Spark BC and Disability Alliance BC for assistance, with a final encouragement to reach out to the disability law clinic for support with legal rights and employment challenges.

**Disclaimer: These sessions are designed to provide general education and are not intended for individual advice and/or clinical care. The information conveyed in this recording was accurate at the time of presentation.**