It's a complex question. I'm engaged in a research project right now that's looking at episodic disabilities, which are conditions like MS, for example, that have fluctuating periods of ability and wellness.
We have a system that has as the ideal a full-time, full-year male worker. For many people with a disability, and perhaps for some who are caregivers, the idea of part-time work with prorated benefits and some income top-up would enable them to continue to work as part of the labour force without compromising their health.
Right now, we have disability income systems, such as ODSP in Ontario and others, that assume this dichotomy of a person either being able or unable. There are many people who can work and use their skills if they're able to get to work and have the accommodations they need, including some reduced workload demands, so they can continue to make contributions. We need to rethink some of the income support systems, and we certainly need to educate employers, so that we have this.
My understanding is that some of the impasses are actually issues with insurance systems—not EI per se, but others like insurance for benefits where restructuring some of these programs in ways that would better meet the needs of people is balked at.