In March 2012 DWDE partnered with the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) and organized a daylong seminar for entrepreneurs with disabilities. The Seminar boosted entrepreneurship in the disability sector by creating partnerships between the disability sector and business development service providers. Persons with disabilities had the opportunity to connect with Seda and other business developers and to investigate how to start their own businesses. There was also the opportunity to have a free consultation session with business advisors. Furthermore, a database of persons with disabilities – especially entrepreneurs – was established to create networking opportunities.
As a central stakeholder in the disability sector in the Western Cape DWDE was able to reach out to the wider disability community in the province and invite a large number of people and organisations. There was a great interest in the event and DWDE had to close the RSVP list at 120 participants due to the capacity of the venue even though more people still wanted to participate.
