Narrator
SPHERE-Québec is a non-profit organization that promotes the integration of people with disabilities in
the labor market.
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Logo of SPHERE-Québec
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Today, SPHERE-Québec innovates and launches the guide “Self-employment, an option to consider”, to
help future selfemployed workers evaluate and plan their project.
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Self-employment, an option to consider
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A tool for future self-employed workers
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Nancy Moreau, Executive Director of SPHERE-Québec, explains where the idea of this guide comes from.
Nancy Moreau
To better serve the disabled self-employed clientele, SPHEREQuébec led, a few years ago, an
investigation to better assess their needs. This investigation showed us the way to develop a guide to
help them, to assist them in fact in their actions.
Nancy Moreau
For us at SPHERE-Québec, the option of adapted selfemployment is possible to allow people with
disabilities to contribute to society by using their full potential.
Nancy Moreau
This is a new tool, a new approach, for a person who, for example, would like to develop a work-athome-program to generate extra income.
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A new tool, a new approach
Nancy Moreau
The goal is to fully support self-employed workers with disabilities in order to give them an alternative in
employment integration, meaning: working for themselves.
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Fully support self-employed workers with disabilities
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Little is known about the option of self-employment for people with disabilities. Few adapted tools exist
to fully support these clients. The guide “Self-employment, an option to consider” fills this need.
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Isabelle Gavard, project officer of SPHERE-Québec, describes the content of the guide and its usefulness
for future selfemployed worker, and for the experts who will support them.
Isabelle Gavard
As part of the support we offer for the disabled on their path towards self-employment, our intention is
not to create companies with a high profitability. Our objective is to take an inverse direction; work will
adapt to the person. So that is the specific nature of guide. It fetches the work adaptation in relation to
these specific needs.
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Adaptation of the work in relation to the specific needs of the person.
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The guide includes about thirty questions to help set goals. It also includes budget tools to assess the
financial needs and the realistic feasibility of the project.
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Assess and budget planning tools
In four different parts
Budget tool. annual personal budget, activities related annual budget, follow-up budget tool
Isabelle Gavard
It is simple because it is a step-by-step design. So we go, through multiple steps until the final goal is
reached. It is also, simple because there are not this many questions. It really ,helps to clarify ideas and
will also help determine the, feasibility of the project, while taking into account the specific,
requirements of people and also their financial needs.
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Simple, structured and designed in steps
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In nearly 10 years, SPHERE-Québec has assisted about a hundred individuals to create their own jobs
through the financial measure “Self-Employment Assistance”.
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Here is a success story which proves that being self-employed may allow people with limitations to adapt
their jobs according to their needs.
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Nathalie Bourget
Graphic designer and Beneficiary of the financial measure Self-Employment Assistance of SPHEREQuébec
Nathalie Bourget
I introduce myself: my name is Nathalie Bourget. I am a graphic designer.
Nathalie Bourget
I am from Bourget Infographiste, which is my company. I offer graphic and web design services for small
businesses like mine.
Nathalie Bourget
For me, with my leg, it was easier to be self-employed than to work for someone else, because I had
restrictions. And also because by being self-employed, I could manage my time myself. And, if I can’t
work because I am not well, at least I can work another day.
Nathalie Bourget
In addition to time management, I also manage who I am, and I know when I have to stop. Otherwise, I
could not go on with my days.
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The financial measure “Self-Employment Assistance” of SPHERE-Québec can offer income support for
the person, provide equipment to adjust the workstation or even cover certain other expenses. Our
guide makes it possible to determine these needs.
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Offer financial support
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Provide equipment
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Cover certain costs
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Self-employment, an option to consider! … but I’m not sure…
Nathalie Bourget
Charge, you have dreams, move forward! It’s waiting to be done and you'll see that it’s fun…
Nathalie Bourget
Believe in it. That’s it!
Narrator
As always, SPHERE-Québec works with experts in the field, making sure people with disabilities are
provided with all the means necessary to their success!
Nancy Moreau
We already have several success stories that confirm this is possible. I am convinced that SPHEREQuébec, with its new tools, will be able to support the individuals in their approach.
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Logo of SPHERE-Québec
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This video is made possible through the financial contribution of the Ministry of Human Resources and
Skills Development Canada.