In March of 1997, Western Economic Diversification Canada created the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities program. The program was established to make it easier for entrepreneurs with disabilities to pursue their business goals and to contribute to economic growth within their rural communities.

"We can create economic opportunities that meet social objectives as well." - Al Schafer - of Pals Accessibility in Medicine Hat, Alberta.

To qualify for the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities program you must:

1. live in a rural community in Western Canada, and
2. have a disability that impairs your ability to perform at least one of the basic activities of self-employment or entrepreneurship.

The program offers:

• Repayable business loans with terms that are specifically tailored to address each individual entrepreneur's needs.

Loans received under this program can be used for:

• Starting or expanding a business
• Applying new technology to your business
• Upgrading facilities and equipment
• Developing marketing and promotions material
• Establishing working capital for anticipated sales increases
• If you qualify, please view the British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba CFDC Locations page to contact your local Community Futures Development Corporation Office to set up an appointment and/or obtain more information.

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Links to Information and Resources for Entrepreneurs With Disabilities

• British Columbia
• Alberta
• Saskatchewan
• Manitoba
• Across Canada

British Columbia

WORKlink BC

http://www.worklink.bc.ca/
WORKink BC is a virtual employment resource centre, providing services to work seekers with disabilities, employers and career practitioners.
Come on in and check out our job postings, online counseling services, agency directory, articles and much more.

NETWERCC

http://www.netwercc.com/
NETWERCC (Networking, Education and Training for Workers in Employment, Rehabilitation and Career Counselling) is a non-profit education association and is the only association in Canada to provide free monthly seminars and newsletters to promote the quality of Employment, Rehabilitation and Career Counseling.

BC WorkinfoNet

http://www.workinfonet.bc.ca/
Your one-stop shop for On-line Career, Job and Labour Market Information in British Columbia.

B.C. Aboriginal Network on Disability Society

http://www.bcands.bc.ca/
BCANDS provides a variety of support services and resources to help B.C.'s aboriginal people with disabilities, and others associated with the disabled. Aboriginal people with special needs direct and control the organization, a registered non-profit society with about 1900 members.

First Peoples On School Net

http://www.schoolnet.ca/aboriginal/health-e.html
An First Nations educational website with information on disability resources.

Disability Resource Centre

http://www.drcrichmond.ca
The Disability Resource Centre (DRC) is a not-for-profit community based
resource centre. The DRC offers a variety of specialized information, resources and programs that assist people with disabilities/chronic health problems to achieve greater control over the decisions that effect their lives and to achieve the goal of living independently or more independently.

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Alberta

WORKinkAlberta

http://ab.workink.com/
is a virtual employment resource tool for entrepreneurs with a disability, work seekers with a disability, employers and career practitioners. WORKink Alberta operates in partnership with EmployAbilities and the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW), and is funded through Human Resources Development Canada. WORKink Alberta contains job postings, training opportunities, links to other helpful web sites, on-line chat room counseling, and powerful articles on looking for employment, hiring persons with disabilities and breaking down barriers. To learn more about WORKink Alberta, please click on the WORKink Alberta link listed above.

Saskatchewan

WORKink Saskatchewan

http://sk.workink.com
WORKink Saskatchewan is a virtual employment resource center, providing services to work seekers with disabilities, employers and career practitioners.
Check out the job postings, online counseling services, agency directory, articles, and more.

North Saskatchewan Independent Living Centre

http://www.nsilc.com
This website provides a number of services to persons with disabilities in Northern Saskatchewan. Some services included on this site are classified ads, newsletters, and links to additional business sites.

Community Outreach Group

http://www.cogsask.com
The Community Outreach Group provides a variety of support services and resources to assist persons with disabilities. Some of these services include business solutions, community organizations, employment options, online banking and general links.
At this time; however, members can only access most of the information.

Saskatchewan Voices of People with Disabilities Inc.

http://www.saskvoice.com
This website provides information in the following areas: issues and recommendations regarding income support for people with disabilities, an accommodations guide for employers of people with disabilities, special needs transportation, and up-coming conferences. The site also provides information about the goals and objectives of Saskatchewan Voices of Peoples with Disabilities Inc.

Manitoba

Diversity World

http://www.diversityworld.com/
Diversity World's website features:

• A variety of national (US & Canada) contacts for enhancing the effective participation of people with employment barriers in the workplace.
• An interactive Forum for communication between Diversity Allies
• A Calendar of diversity-related Events
• A store of products related to workforce diversity and career development
• Banner Advertising/Job Postings for Companies seeking to increase their strategic exposure to applicants from non-traditional sources.
• Banner Advertising/Websites for Diversity Consultants/Trainers.

Network of Entrepreneurs with Disabilities: Manitoba

http://www.nedmb.org
The Network of Entrepreneurs with Disabilities, Manitoba (NED MB), is a provincial non-profit partnership of entrepreneurs, business service providers, organizations and interested individuals who support persons with disabilities to achieve their entrepreneurial aspirations.

NED, MB was founded in 2001 as a result of Finding Solutions Forum. The partnership is part of the national Network of Entrepreneurs with Disabilities, Canada.

Across Canada

WORKink Canada

http://www.workink.com/
The Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work's "Virtual Employment Resource Center." WORKink provides its on-line visitors with labour market and career information, access to national, provincial, and territorial resources, and online experts' assistance. Visitors who frequent WORKink include Canada's business leaders, labour representatives, rehabilitation and service providers, and persons with disabilities.

Disability Web links

Programs, Services and Contacts across Canada
Undertaken by Canada's Federal, Provincial and Territorial Governments.
http://www.disabilityweblinks.ca/pls/dwl/dl.home

Assistive Technology Centre

http://www.nsnet.org/atc/index.html
The purpose of the Assistive Technology Centre is to promote education in the area of technology solutions for consumers with a disability. The potential application of assistive technology (AT) is greatly enhanced through a strong foundation of knowledge coupled with creativity and problem-solving strategies. Resources are provided to foster knowledge, empowerment, creativity and imagination.

Network for Entrepreneurs With Disabilities

http://www.entrepreneurdisability.org/
The NEWD website includes links to some really good resources on the Internet and is ideally suited for small and/or home-based businesses, those considering entrepreneurship and especially persons with disabilities involved in or interested in entrepreneurship.

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