Good Questions

On May 16, more than 32.5 million people in 12.7 million households across Canada will participate in the 2006 Census. Conducted by Statistics Canada, the census will provide a detailed picture of Canada and its population.

One in five households in Canada will receive the long census questionnaire, which includes two questions about activity limitations. The first asks whether a person has difficulty hearing, seeing, communicating, walking, climbing stairs, bending, learning or doing any similar activities. The second question asks whether a physical condition, mental condition or health problem reduces the amount or the kind of activity a person can do at home, work or school, and in other activities, such as transportation and leisure.

These questions will provide information on how many people in Canada have difficulties with daily activities and whose activities are reduced because of a physical and/or mental condition or health issue.

A sample of people who answer “yes” to these two questions will be selected for the Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS), which will be conducted by phone by interviewers using a computer-assisted questionnaire. The data collected by PALS will provide information about the prevalence of various disabilities, supports for people with disabilities and their employment profile, income and participation in society.

The information will be used by all levels of government, associations, researchers and non-government organizations to support the planning of services for people with disabilities to increase their participation in society. The last PALS was conducted in 2001, and it provided data about people with learning disabilities in Canada.

Making it Count

The 2006 Census will be the most accessible census to date. For the first time, the census will be available online, making it possible for people who are blind or have low vision to use a screen reader. It’s possible to complete the questionnaire using only the keyboard, and the census is compatible with Braille outboard displays and software to enlarge the text onscreen. Using the keyboard will also be helpful to respondents with mobility disabilities. People can also refer to the printed version of the census to help them understand the questions, if necessary.

The census will also be available in large print and Braille and on audiocassette.

For more information, call the Census Line at 1-877-594-2006 or TTY/TDD 1-888-243-0730 starting in May.