ccrw presentation gned
TRANSCRIPT
Introduction to
Innovations Supporting
People with Disabilities in
Self Employment
My Path
• June 2006 received acceptance into SEB 52 week
program after bad employment experience.
• Started Access Infinity Management because it is
my belief that access should be infinite.
• Since starting the business I have continuous had to
negotiate my rights as a self-employed person
• Alone in my pursuit –lonely place
Never doubt that a small
group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can
change the world. Indeed, it
is the only thing that ever
has.
Margaret Mead
The Hummingbird
It’s not the destination but the journey…
Professionals with
Disabilities
Entrepreneurs
with
Disabilities
Who Are We?
Committed group of entrepreneurs with
disabilities and service providers
committed to supporting the self-
employment aspirations of people with
disabilities
Truly Global….& Growing
• Australia
• Canada
• Holland
• Spain
• United Kingdom
• USA
• Pakistan
Reasons to go it alone…Everybody
• Opportunity
• Turning a negative into a positive
• Creativity
• Flexibility of lifestyle
• Income
Reasons to go it alone…PWDS
• Opportunity
• Turning a negative into a positive
• Creativity
• Flexibility of lifestyle (disability management)
• Income
You Can’t Do That
Barriers
Recognized Need….
• Respond to the information needs of pwds who are
in business and those who are developing ideas for
future business
• Inform disability employment policy by showcasing
success
• Provide support
–Develop tools to assist members through all
cycles of business
Synergy and the power of social media
• Lessons learned through the power of online
community
• This initiative was born out of
online collaboration
• Work is done collaboratively
Using Skype, PB works, Linkedin,
Twitter and a growing
number of tools
The Way Forward
Moving from online on to the beat and track
• Continue to build network of entrepreneurs with
disabilities
• Continue to build library of online resources
• Encourage innovation and progressive policy
directions when discussing the employment of pwds
The Road Ahead
The Way Forward
Moving from online on to the beat and track
• Continue to build network of entrepreneurs with
disabilities
• Continue to build library of online resources
• Encourage innovation and progressive policy
directions when discussing the employment of pwds
• Getting the funds to grow the
network in Canada and world-wide.
