Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Info-Guide

What is an Info-Guide?

The Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre created Info-Guides to help you navigate through the wide range of programs and services in a specific area as well as related regulations that may affect your business venture. Info-Guides featuring other topics of interest are also available by contacting the Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre at 204-984-2272 (in Winnipeg) or 1-800-665-2019 (toll free in Canada) or by e-mail at manitoba@cbsc.ic.gc.ca.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Financial Assistance 
• Business Services 
• Other Services 

Financial Assistance

Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program
Western Economic Diversification Canada - WD
Phone: 1-800-665-2019
site Web: http://www.wd.gc.ca/finance/programs/EDP_e.asp

This program provides disabled entrepreneurs in Rural Manitoba, who are unable to obtain financing from a traditional financial institution, access to business loans up to $150,000.

Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program - Winnipeg
Western Economic Diversification Canada - WD
Delivered by: Independent Living Resource Centre - ILRC
Suite 311A - 393 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 3H6
Phone & TTY: 204-947-0194 or Toll free 1-800-663-3043
Fax: 204-943-6625
E-mail: thecentre@ilrc.mb.ca
site Web: http://www.ilrc.mb.ca

Provides business loans of up to $75,000 to help Winnipeg entrepreneurs with disabilities start or expand their own business.

Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities
Human Resources and Social Development Canada - HRSDC
site Web: http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/epb/sid/cia/grants/of/individuals_of.shtml
Service Canada Centres: http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/top_nav/our_offices.shtml#100

Helps to generate innovative activities which help persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain and keep employment or self-employment. Participants must not be eligible for assistance under the Employment Benefits.

Rebate for Specially-Equipped Vehicles for Persons with Disabilities
Canada Revenue Agency - CRA
Phone: 1-800-959-8281
site Web: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/gm/b-086/README.html

This bulletin explains the rebate of the 6% GST that may be claimed on specially-equipped motor vehicles that are used by, or to transport, individuals using wheelchairs, and vehicles equipped with auxiliary driving controls for individuals with disabilities.

SEED Winnipeg Inc. - Supporting Employment & Economic Development
Phone: 204-927-9935
Fax: 204-927-9930
E-mail: info@seedwinnipeg.ca
site Web: http://www.seedwinnipeg.ca

Assists low-income individuals or groups to establish small businesses by providing business planning assistance, training, and after-care services through its Build-A-Business Program (BAB). Other programs available through SEED include: Asset Building Programs, Money Management Training, Community and Worker Ownership Program (CWOP), Community Economic Development (CED) Technical Assistance and Research and Development. SEED's BAB & CWOP Programs also provide access to Business Loans and to the Enhanced Self Employment Program for individuals who are on income assistance. All services are offered free of charge.

Self Employment (SE) Program
Manitoba Advanced Education and Training and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

Meyers, Norris, Penny
Phone: 204-775-4531

YMCA/YWCA Employment Services
Phone: 204-989-5860

Rural Manitobans
Contact your local Canada Employment Centre
site Web: http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/top_nav/our_offices.shtml

CDEM (francophone delivery)
204-925-2834

Provides unemployed employment insurance eligible individuals with financial support, planning assistance and mentoring while they get their business up and running.

Business Services

Alternative Format Program
Canada Revenue Agency - CRA
Phone: 1-800-267-1267
TTY: 1-800-665-0354
site Web: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/formspubs/help/about_multiple-e.html

Persons with visual impairments can get information on Canada Revenue Agency services available to them as well as order publications in Braille and large print, or on audio cassette and computer disk.

Business Seminars
Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre
250 - 240 Graham Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3C 4B3
Phone: 204-984-2272 or 1-800-665-2019 or TTY: 1-800-457-8466
E-mail: manitoba@cbsc.ic.gc.ca
site Web: http://www.e-future.ca/manitoba/cbsc/events_bydate.aspx

Short, informative seminars aimed at helping you understand what is required to start a business in Manitoba, how to develop a business plan, how to understand cash flows, how to put your business online and much more!  Samples of seminars offered include How to find a Business Idea, Starting a Small Business in Manitoba, Interactive Business Planner, Patents, Copyrights, Trade-Marks and Industrial Designs and e-Marketing.  All seminars are free of charge. Facilities are wheel-chair accessible. 

C/MBSC Library and Research Services, Assistive Equipment at the C/MBSC and  Special Collections at the C/MBSC
Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre
250-240 Graham Avenue, Winnipeg, MB  R3C 4B3
Phone: 204-984-2272 or 1-800-665-2019 or TTY: 1-800-457-8466
site Web: http://www.canadabusiness.org/manitoba

The library contains over 13,000 business and trade publications to help you develop your business plan, perform market research or source suppliers. Our experienced staff can help you find the business information you need. We also offer materials specifically for persons with disabilities such as audio cassettes with Braille identifying labels. The library and washrooms are wheelchair accessible and our public access computers have an assortment of assistive equipment (both hardware and software) for various levels of physical ability.

Canadian Society for Social Development (CSSD)
Kay Ryan, Executive Director
Phone: 250-825-9433
E-mail: kryan@cssd-web.org
site Web: http://www.cssd-web.org

The Canadian Society for Social Development (CSSD) is a federally incorporated non-profit organization with charitable status. They are funded by the federal government to provide free online-training to persons with disabilities across Canada. They offer two free programs:

Internet Business Development for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities (IBDE) is a six month accredited course that teaches participants how to create websites for either their own businesses or for other small businesses. Intake for this program is in the fall.

The Business Abilities Program is a 1 year self-paced business planning and management course. Students learn how to research a business idea, create a business plan and then CSSD and offers advice and suggestions. Once students establish their business they may take advantage of approximately 30 advanced business management modules on topics such as bookkeeping, salesmanship, customer service and marketing. Intake for this program is ongoing.

Tax Information for People with Disabilities
Canada Revenue Agency - CRA
site Web: http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/disability/

This website provides easy access to publications and forms dealing with tax information for people with disabilities.

Other Services

Disability Database
Statistics Canada - SC
Phone: 204-983-4020 or 1-800-263-1136 or TTY 1-800-363-7629
E-mail: infostats@statcan.ca
site Web: http://www.statcan.ca/start.html

Statistics Canada maintains records on the prevalance of disability in Canada and the impact of disability on the life of Canadians with disabilities.  Provides information on the existence, nature and severity of disability, the use of technical aids and services and data on persons with disabilities such as demographic, household, labour force, employment, education, transportation and income.

Independent Living Resource Centre - ILRC
311A - 393 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB  R3B 3H6
Phone & TTY: 204-947-0194 or 1-800-663-3043
Fax: 204-943-6625
E-mail: thecentre@ilrc.mb.ca
site Web: http://www.ilrc.mb.ca

A self-help organization operated by people of all ages and all types of disabilities.  Provides information and referral services, peer support, individual advocacy, independent living skills assistance and various other services for people with disabilities.

Persons with Disabilities Online
Service Canada
site Web: http://www.pwd-online.ca/en/home.jsp

An internet site which has information on government services for persons with disabilities.  Topics include accessibility, Advocacy, Assistive Technology, Community and Citizen Participation, Employment, Health, Safety and Security, Housing, Learning and Skills Development, Recreation and Active Living, Reference Library, Tax and Financial Benefits and Transportation and Travel.

Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre
250 - 240 Graham Ave
P.O. Box 2609
Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3C 4B3
Canada
Telephone: 204-984-2272
Fax: 204-983-3852
Toll-free (information): 1-800-665-2019
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-457-8466
E-mail: manitoba@canadabusiness.ca
Web site: http://www.canadabusiness.ca/manitoba
Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.

Links Policy
Some of the hypertext links lead to non-federal government sites which are not subject to the Official Languages Act and the material is available in one language only.