accessWORKS: Procurement Connection

What is a disabled-owned business?

A 'Disabled Owned Business Enterprise' is owned, operated and controlled by one or more Canadian citizens with a disability. Ownership must represent at least 51% of the business and have responsibility for the operations and must be able to make independent and unilateral business decisions.

Disability means, with respect to the individual, a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual; a record of such impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment. 

Why does it make such good sense for me to
purchase from a disabled-owned business?

A Conference Board of Canada poll revealed that 77% of Canadians are most likely to invest in, 81% to purchase from, and 79% to work for companies they view as socially responsible. Recent Schulich School of Business research showed nine out of ten Canadians believe corporate social responsibility (including doing business with business operated and owned by people with disability) should be a top corporate priority and, in fact, should be part of an international Canadian competitive strategy.

Where can I find out more about disabled-owned businesses
and how to purchase from them?

• accessWORKS businessNETWORK
• accessWORKS Consortium
• Sustainability Purchasing Network: www.buysmartbc.com
  The Sustainability Purchasing Network provides information, training, resources, networking and advisory services to organizations integrating social, ethical and environmental considerations into their purchasing decisions, including diversity purchasing.  Contact them for help in designing and implementing a supplier diversity policy. 
• Vancity Enterprising Non-Profits: www.enterprisingnonprofits.ca/
  Enterprising Non-Profits, enp, is a unique partnership that promotes and supports social enterprise development and growth as a means to build strong non-profit organizations and healthier communities.