Job Erickson was 26 when everything changed. Ed Steele was 56. A physical assault left Job with permanent brain damage. A car accident by a drunk driver left Ed with short term memory loss. In the aftermath for both, rebuilding their lives has meant finding new ways to express their vocation and preserve their will to be productive in their community. Job has begun a successfully art business utilizing his artistic ability to create humorous paintings that can be found at the Differently-Abled Business Association (DBA) center. Ed Steele, with the help of his wife, has begun a E-bay business that allows him to work at home and incorporate his knowledge of businesses.

In a ground breaking partnership between The United Way and East County One Stop (a 501c3 organization based in Portland Oregon) the first Business Trade Association to support business owners with a disability has opened.

The Differently-Abled Business Association (DBA) is an economic development endeavor to support entrepreneurs with disabilities starting or expanding their businesses. The program is on a three-year track to expand to a national scope as part of a move to provide a voice through the creation of a Chamber of Commerce for entrepreneurs with disabilities.

The idea appears to be unprecedented, says Lucia Olivera, associate manager for access with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. "We haven't heard of anything like that. It seems like a great idea."

The idea builds on the premise that self-employment often proves more successful for people with disabilities than working for others. There are 54 million Americans with disabilities-one in five Americans. They control $175 billion in discretionary income. It is time that their business voice was heard says Kedma Ough, DBA Business Director.

"I am very excited about the DBA program and hope counselors will refer clients interested in self-employment to the program”, states Kris Kennedy, Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Services."

DBA services are available to self-employed individuals with disabilities. The services focus on building a bridge between the client’s business concept and the challenges faced with their disabilities.

The DBA provides the following services:

• Business Coaching Program - Support for clients through our mentoring program
• Counseling Program - Providing one-on-one business support
• DBA Business Directory - Business-to-Business service exchange program
• DBA Library - Access to Internet Library for Business and Support Resources
• Quarterly Newsletter - Highlights participants and events in the community
• Computer Lab - Access to computer lab for participants
• DBA Web Link - Web page for up-to-date information on the community

In addition, DBA is planning a unique Virtual Internet Procurement Fair, an interactive trade fair to explore bidding opportunities and provide interaction with government agencies.

The DBA is opened to the public and is located at 2240 N Interstate avenue suite 140 and directly on the Max line. For more information about DBA please contact Jeannie at 503-998-9560 or find us on the web at: http://www.dbaofportland.org/.