With over 170 entries, this annotated bibliography represents the first comprehensive collection of grey literature on the right to housing for disabled people in Canada, focusing on four provinces – British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Ontario – as well as Canada-wide and international sources. It aims to fill a significant gap in existing research by providing a resource that captures the evolving landscape of housing rights for disabled individuals over the past 30 years.
This bibliography is particularly valuable because it highlights both progress and ongoing challenges in this area, offering a nuanced view of what has and has not changed. As grey literature often bypasses the lengthy peer review and editorial processes of academic publishing, it can provide more current and diverse insights. This is especially important for underrepresented areas and authors who might lack access to traditional publishing platforms.
Our hope is that it will serve as a crucial tool for both academic researchers and community-based groups, reflecting the lived experiences of disabled individuals and the work of non-profit organizations dedicated to service and advocacy. Ultimately, we envision this bibliography as a catalyst for political and social change, informing efforts to secure and improve the right to housing for disabled people in Canada.
Our aim is continue adding new entries to this annotated bibliography in the coming year. If you would like to make a contribution, please contact us:
Email: research [at] housingrightscanada.com
A note on terminology
* The use of “person-first” language (people with disabilities) vs. “identity-first” language (disabled people) is contentious within disability communities. Identity-first language is generally preferred by contemporary disability activists as it places the focus on societal barriers (i.e., disabled people are disabled by society). However, some others, especially people labelled with an intellectual disability, tend to prefer person-first language. We have used both forms in this paper to respect the preferences of members of these various communities.