First Chamber Of Commerce For Entrepreneurs With Disabilities
October 12, 2006

PORTLAND, OREGON--Thursday's Oregonian reported on what organizers hope will become the first chamber of commerce for entrepreneurs with disabilities.

Called the Differently-Abled Business Association, the group was created with the idea that people who have disabilities are more likely to be successful in business if they work for themselves.

Inventor Tom Ruedy has benefited from the association. Ruedy, an outdoor enthusiast who experienced a spinal cord injury in a diving accident, created the EZ Hiker, a wheelchair for use on narrow trails. He hopes he can become independent of government benefits through entrepreneurship.

"Benefits are nice but they don't meet my emotional needs," he said.

"If I'm successful, I'll be able to emancipate myself from the state and federal assistance. That's my goal, because I don't want to be supported by society."

Related:
"Differently-Abled aims to seed switch to self-employment" (The Oregonian)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/06/red/1012b.htm

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Reproduced here under special arrangement with Inclusion Daily Express international disability rights news service.
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