When
a person has a disability they have a lot of trouble finding appropriate jobs
to suit their needs (Hick, pg316-318). They feel limited to what they can do
because of their disability (Hick, pg316-318). In some cases people won’t hire
a person with a disability because they find them unsuited for the job (Hick,
pg316-318). For a person without a disability they are able to find a job where
they can do what they choose, whereas people with disabilities have trouble
finding a job that they love and that suits their needs (Hick, pg316-318).
Western provinces in Canada have been working to help entrepreneurs with
disability create their own business (Western Economic Diversification Canada,
2012). This could give a person with disabilities a job that they are capable
of doing and at the same time love doing it.
The Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
Program is designated to help people with disabilities be capable of opening a
business, this program offers extra support for those people that may not be
able to do it on their own. “The EDP program provides business information,
training and development, mentoring and one-on-one counseling services”
(Western Economic Diversification Canada, 2012). The program is offered for
people with disabilities who cannot find a loan from a financial institution;
EDP offers them a flexible loan to fit their needs (Western Economic
Diversification Canada, 2012). With the loan given to you from EDP you are
allowed to put it toward “starting or expanding a business, purchasing new
technology, upgrading facilities and equipment, and developing marketing
promotions” (Western Economic Diversification Canada, 2012). There are a few
requirements that you must have to be enabled for a loan: “be disabled due to
mental or physical impairment, have a viable business plan, reside in Western
Canada, and you are restricted in the ability to perform at least one of the
basic activities of entrepreneurship” (Western Economic Diversification Canada,
2012).
The socialist ideology is the
perfect ideology for this social policy because, socialists believe in freedom
and equality. “Socialists believe in equality and a society that operates to
meet people’s needs” (Hick, 2007). The Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program
is trying to make people with disabilities equal individuals who can operate
their own business like every other person without a disability would be able
to do. This program is a tool that is used to help people with disabilities get
a loan, because other institutions will not give them one. This could possibly
be due to the fact that they see them as unfit to be an entrepreneur.
“Political and civil rights cannot be separate from economic and social rights”
(Hick, 2007). Socialists see it, as everyone’s rights are the same. By people
with disabilities getting the opportunity to be an entrepreneur, they are being
given their political, civil, economic, and social rights all from this one
program. By being given these rights they are overcoming many barriers that
this program has helped them with. This program is granting them loans,
providing mentoring and giving them a way to better access the building in
which their company is located in. These were issues they once had to deal
with, but because of what this program has done for them they no longer have to
worry about providing an income for themselves because this is allowing them to
provide for themselves.
In conclusion, I believe that the
Entrepreneurs with Disabilities program is an excellent opportunity for people
with disabilities. It gives them an opportunity to be the ones in power,
instead of being torn apart for having their disability. People with
disabilities are constantly being torn apart by society for multiple reasons
including; not being able to take care of themselves or not being able to get a
job. With this program they are capable of doing both, which will give them a
sense of accomplishment.
Western
Economic Diversification Canada., (May 3, 2012). Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program. Retrieved From:
http://www.wd.gc.ca/eng/13643.asp
Hick,
Steven,. (2007) Social Welfare in Canada:
Understanding Income Security. Toronto, ON: Thompson Educational
Publishing.
Great blog post! Very informative! I never knew about the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program. I think it's a wonderful program, and I think it's so great that there are options out there for people with disabilities. No one should feel limited to what they can do and accomplish in this world.
ReplyDeleteAlexandra
I also never new about this EDP program. After reading many of the different blog posts, it seems that there are a lot of programs that I have not heard about and came to my attention even people with disabilities have not heard of many of these programs. These types of programs need to be advertised and let known to the public so that these people can look for this new and exciting opportunities. Not being informed of different helpful programs is very much a barrier for people with disabilities and it angers me because the government should be finding ways to let the public know. This program would help a lot of people with disabilities out there because they may find difficulty in finding work that they are able and love to do. They need to find something specific that they are good at and sharing something that they are good at with the rest of the world would be an amazing thing. They would be the boss and share their skills with others. This EDP program would create many opportunities and decrease limitations for people with disabilities. I love it.
ReplyDeleteAlysha
I love what the EDP does for people! It's so important that people with disabilities get equal opportunity to work. Because of how inaccessible many work places can be, the EDP program would give people the ability to make sure that their work space is as accessible as they need it to be. This program is also great from an economic sense because new businesses generate revenue for the entire community. The person running the business may not need to be on assistance if they have their own source of income, which gives them and community members more opportunities. I hope something like this comes to Ontario!
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