In 2006 CCEDNet undertook a research initiative designed to identify areas for policy improvement related to social enterprises which employ persons in receipt of the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). A recent policy forum sponsored by Ontario‟s Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS) (Randolph Group, 2006) indicates that there is increased interest in the province to explore public policy options for supporting social enterprises. Thus this research may be particularly significant at this time.

Four goals were established for the research:

• To expand the knowledge of policy challenges facing social enterprises which employ ODSP recipients

• To strengthen models of employment and training service delivery to recipients of ODSP

• To facilitate peer learning of social enterprise practitioners and ODSP employment service delivery agents

• To improve income security programs across Canada through conducting high-quality research on services and programs delivered to low-income people with disabilities living in the province of Ontario.

Download Social Enterprises and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) (PDF)