Les coûts du handicap au Québec : que font les ménages et comment les soutenir équitablement ?

This article presents the findings of a research about disability costs conducted in the province of Quebec, Canada. It also addresses issues related to social policy. Our findings encompass a wide variety of life activities experienced by different categories of disabled people and their families. Using this qualitative framework, we surveyed over two hundreds types of expenses, but three domains came out strongly: housing, health or personal care, and transportation. Disability costs vary according to types of disability but also relate to socioeconomic status and family configuration. Disability costs, general or specific, are good indicators of special needs and may be useful to design social programs, but they underestimate “deprivation” amongst the poorest. Overall, they underline the limitations of our current social security system and appeals for a new regime of solidarity in order to attain equality.