Not everyone can physically or mentally take-on the traditional 40-hour work-week. That鈥檚 why Community Futures West Yellowhead first created its Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program.
The program started several years ago, but quickly fell silent. Now the organization鈥檚 manager, Nancy Robbins, is hoping to put life back into the entrepreneurial program.
The program caters to anyone with a disability, whether it鈥檚 a physical or mental limitation, who wants to start their own business. Once someone has a business plan, Robbins and her small team do whatever they can to help put that plan into action.
鈥淔or those who self-identify as having barriers to everyday employment, self-employment may be an option to explore,鈥� Robbins said. 鈥淲e can give advice or even help create their business plan.
鈥淎ll we need is someone to come to us with an idea.鈥�
The non-profit organization is federally funded through Western Economic Diversification Canada.
鈥淲e can help them access grant funding and access dollars to coach them with their business plan. We鈥檙e also able to access dollars for whatever training they need,鈥� Robbins said. 鈥淲e want to see that plan get going and hopefully see them open a business.鈥�
Community Futures West Yellowhead focuses on community and entrepreneurial revitalization throughout Jasper, Hinton, Grande Cache and Yellowhead County. In the region, 17 people are currently enrolled in the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program.
Despite running the same program in each town, Robbins said each area presents its own challenges, adding that creating start-up businesses within Jasper National Park hasn鈥檛 always been easy.
鈥淭here is an extra challenge with Jasper because it鈥檚 in a national park. There鈥檚 no land so you can鈥檛 build a building and renting a place is not only hard to come by, it鈥檚 also expensive,鈥� Robbins said. 鈥淪o in Jasper we have to start looking at other alternatives like home-based businesses.鈥�
However, because everyone that lives in Jasper must meet a 鈥渘eed to reside鈥� requirement regulated by the federal government, starting a home-based business can also have its struggles.
鈥淵ou can鈥檛 just move to Jasper and set up shop. If you鈥檙e going to start up a home-based business then you need to get permission from Parks Canada, but again that鈥檚 why we鈥檙e here,鈥� Robbins said. 鈥淚 always tell Jasper residents to come to me with their ideas so I can help them with Parks鈥� system. I can tell them what can work and who to talk to so they are prepared for their Parks presentation.鈥�
However, in some cases, Robbins said some Jasperites enrolled in the program have been forced to pick up a handful of weekly shifts at local businesses in order to meet the town鈥檚 鈥渘eed to reside鈥� clause.
鈥淲e understand that there are rules that have to be followed,鈥� Robbins said. 鈥淎nd Parks Canada is improving with realizing our needs.鈥�
As the organization moves ahead, Robbins hopes to see the local workforce continue to become more accommodating to people with challenges.
鈥淭here鈥檚 definitely more recognition within the business community and there are lots of people out there with challenges that can be hired,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e can鈥檛 assume that everyone can work 40 hours a week鈥攚e as employers need to modify our workplace and our expectations to meet the needs of the people that want to work.鈥�
Alternatively for help finding a job, the Jasper Adult Learning Centre has a diversability employment coach that connects people with disabilities with suitable employment opportunities.
Community Futures West Yellowhead is based in Hinton, but can be contacted at 780-865-1224.
Kayla Byrne
[email protected]
