In Our Way: Child Care Barriers to Full Workforce Participation Experienced by Parents of Young Children with Special Needs - and Potential Remedies

Sharon Hope lrwin & Donna S. Lero 

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) is one of a very few unions in North America to negotiate a Child Care Fund to support members with their child care needs.

In 1997 CUPW commissioned SpeciaLink (a research and resource agency specializing in child care issues involving children with special needs) to examine the impact on members’ work and family lives when parenting a child with special needs. CUPW wanted to find out if the supports provided through the Child Care Fund were helpful to CUPW families and their children with special needs.

A majority of CUPW members reported that their children with special needs faced real limitations regarding attendance at school or at a child care centres. These members also reported they face additional costs related to their child’s special needs.

Fourteen recommendations were developed from the research findings and member’s suggestions. These recommendations related to public policy, membership services and education, special leave and the need for additional financial support to help them with the higher costs to parents of children with special needs.