Have you been wishing there was some way you could make some extra income or become financially independant? Do you have a hobby or skill that you could turn into a small business?

The Business Abilities Program is funded by Social Development Canada – Opportunities Fund and is available free, online across Canada to people who identify themselves as someone living with a disability or chronic health issue.  It is offered by The Canadian Society for Social Development, a federally incorporated, non-profit society with charitable status. CSSD is part of the Community Futures Network of British Columbia. Their mandate is to provide online employment and skills training to persons with disabilities across Canada.

The Business Abilities initiative offers a two phase approach to exploring self-employment. In Phase One they offer the online “Preparing for Business” course that you work through at your own pace and in the comfort of your own home. It teaches you how to assess your entrepreneurial skills, research your business idea and prepare your business plan. All you need is a desire to learn about self-employment and access to a computer for a few hours each day so you can prepare a business plan around your particular business idea.

The Business Abilities team will coach you through the curriculum and will review your finished business plan. When you are ready to start your venture they will coach you through the start-up of your business. In addition to learning how to plan your business, in Phase Two you take advanced modules to assist you in managing your business successfully; participate in “Webinars” with experts on various business topics; and interact with your coach and other participants through instant text messaging, email, web conferencing and the Conversation Café.

To be eligible for the program you must:

• self-identify as someone with a permanent physical disability or chronic health issue,
• be unemployed (working less than an average of 20 hours per week)
• be legally entitled to work in Canada
• need assistance to prepare for self employment
• Not be collecting employment insurance benefits (EI) or (have collected in the last 3-5 years). Some exceptions can be made …please inquire

The Business Abilities Program takes participants at any time and gives you the opportunity to network with entrepreneurs with disabilities all across Canada.

For more information on CSSD click here: www.cssd-web.org