A Community of Opportunity: Developing a Microcredit Program for Persons with Developmental Disabilities in Alberta

This paper discusses the development of a microcredit program for persons with developmental disabilities in Alberta. It states that:

• Adults with developmental disabilities are among the poorest of Albertans;
• Traditional sources of credit from large financial institutions are not available to many people with disabilities;
• Microcredit organizations provide accessible credit to poor populations;
• Microcredit organizations have proven effective in poverty relief and have reduced dependence on government assistance.

The paper:

• Concludes that the development of a micro credit program for adults with disabilities in Alberta would provide them with access to mortgages, business and personal loans;
• Recommends that there is a need for initiatives providing alternatives to inadequate government support for persons with developmental disabilities in Alberta.