EDP Objective
The Community Futures committment:
To provide increased access for people with disabilities to pursue their business goals and contribute to their rural communities.
The Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program (EDP) was created to ensure that entrepreneurs with disabilities or chronic health conditions have access to information, assistance and flexible repayable business loans, recognizing that people with disabilities may experience barriers to small business creation.
We provide access to professional resources for business start- ups and expansion. EDP provides access to specialised training and assistance for those entrepreneurs with disabilities needing additional business support.
How is disability defined?
Here’s how The World Health Organization addresses this question: disability is any restriction or lack of ability to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being.
EDP loans and specialized entrepreneur assistance are designed for those who self disclose a disability or chronic health condition that restricts their ability to perform one or more basic tasks in running a business.
Who does EDP serve?
The entrepreneurs served by EDP: able business people with diverse disabilities.
EDP has assisted entrepreneurs with health conditions across the spectrum, from developmental and injury-related disabilities to chronic and cyclical conditions. Amputation, Arthritis, Cerebral Palsy, Crohn’s disease, Congestive Heart Failure, Diabetes, Mental Health disorder, Multiple Sclerosis, Paraplegia: these disabilities did not stop our entrepreneurs from succeeding. It just meant recognizing health as an added factor in the business.
Why tell us you have a disability or ongoing health condition?
- EDP business loans are designed to be flexible for entrepreneurs with disabilities. For those with cyclical health conditions or difficulty securing conventional lending, EDP loans are ideal.
- EDP client assistance dollars may be available to you for additional training and business supports. These non-repayable funds may be just the boost you need to take your business to the next level.
- Self-disclosure is confidential.