On this page you’ll find links to resources to help you get your business from an idea to a going concern!

National / Western Canada

• Business Abilities – Online business training program for Canadian entrepreneurs with a disability
• Business Able – Loans and advice for Western province entrepreneurs with a disability
• Business Development Bank of Canada – resources for young entrepreneurs
• Canadian Society for Social Development – employment and skills training for people with a barrier to employment; and entrepreneurial programs
• Community Futures Development Corporations of Western Canada – Entrepreneurs with a Disability Program (EDP)
• Industry Canada – Canadian Industry Statistics
• Industry Canada – Directory of Business and Trade Associations
• Industry Canada – Small Business Statistics, July 2008
• Internet Business Development for Entrepreneurs – 6-month online, web design training for entrepreneurs with a barrier
• NX Level Canada – Youth Enterprise Academy (course for 15 to 25 year olds)
• Youth and Entrepreneurship: a database of existing resources (click here)

BC

• Business Development Bank of Canada – BC branches
• Business Works Self-Employment Program – servicing central Vancouver Island
• Community Futures British Columbia Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program
• Community Futures BC – Business counselling and loans for BC entrepreneurs
• Community Futures BC – Find the Community Futures office closest to you
• Small Business BC – Information for people who want to start a business in BC

Alberta

• Alberta First – Information for people who want to start a business in Alberta
• Business Development Bank of Canada – Alberta branches
• Community Futures Alberta – Business counselling and loans for Alberta entrepreneurs
• Community Futures Alberta – Find the Community Futures office closest to you

Saskatchewan

• Business Development Bank of Canada – Saskatchewan branches
• Community Futures Saskatchewan – Business counselling and loans for Saskatchewan entrepreneurs
• Community Futures Saskatchewan – Find the Community Futures office closest to you
• Enterprise Saskatchewan – Information for people who want to start a business in Saskatchewan
• Global Infobrokers – Entrepreneurial training and development courses and support
• Praxis International Institute – Alternative high school for entrepreneurial youth

Manitoba

• Business Development Bank of Canada – Manitoba branches
• Community Futures Manitoba – Business counselling and loans for Manitoba entrepreneurs
• Community Futures Manitoba – Find the Community Futures office closest to you
• Manitoba Business Service Centre – Information for people who want to start a business in Manitoba
• Independent Living Resource Centre -Information and resources to enable citizens with disabilities in Manitoba to make choices and take responsibility for the development and management of personal and community resources.

 Other Resources

The Self Employment Explorer is available in complete Braille conversion – worksheets and all.  The Braille books are availalbe at Canadian National Institute of the Blind Regional Offices in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. You can receive the downloadable Braille -ready file by contacting: edp@communityfutures.ca  

Click here for the SELF EMPLOYMENT EXPLORER Acknowledgment page.