Access to Enterprise project

Supporting Women in Business

The Access to Enterprise project is designed to connect women, feminine identifying and non-binary people with disability to mentoring, training, and networking that will strengthen pathways to sustainable self-employment.

Delivered through a hybrid, disability-led service model, the project will build confidence, skills, networks, and business acumen for women with disability who are seeking to strengthen and/or grow their micro or small businesses.

Research highlights that people with disability are 40% more likely to be self-employed or entrepreneurial compared to people without disability (University of Technology Sydney, 2020). Self-employment offers an opportunity to build both personal and financial independence, while also creating flexible pathways that reflect individual strengths, lifestyle needs, and access requirements.

The project responds to the barriers women with disability face when engaging with mainstream entrepreneurial ecosystems, including internalised ableism and the lack of inclusive training opportunities.

This program supports women with disability to pursue self-employment through mentoring, training and networking that’s co-designed and disability-led. Self-employment empowers people with disability to build independence however, they often face barriers accessing mentoring programs that aren’t inclusive or accessible. This project will provide support that meets their needs to help build pathways to sustainable self-employment.”

PWDA President, Trinity Ford

About the project

Launching in 2026, Access to Enterprise reduces barriers for women with disability by providing tailored support to build confidence, peer networks and practical business skills.

Through this project, PWDA is working to ensure women with disability can not only participate in business but thrive as leaders, innovators, and change-makers in their communities and beyond.

The Access to Enterprise project includes:

• 12-month mentorship: 10-15 mentees paired with business mentors (women with disability with experience in establishing businesses) over a 12-month mentorship program.
• Small business training: Hybrid and eLearning modules.
• Business planning support: Mentors will help mentees define their business goals and develop a strategic business plan.
• Support to develop business networks: Structured networking opportunities will connect participants to new industry and business networks.

Program development will be led by people with disability, including an advisory group comprised of women with disability, and surveys widely disseminated to women with disability.

Get involved

Project Advisory Group

PWDA invited up to 10 women with disability to join the Advisory Group for our new project supporting women with disability in business.

The project advisory group for Access to Enterprise include:

• Caitlin Blanch
• Michelle Brown
• Stacey Copas
• Felicity Hearnden
• Heidi La Paglia
• Amberwren Long
• Laura Pettenuzzo 
• Sharon Zivkovic

Learn more about them at Introducing the Access to Enterprise Project Advisory Board.

Participate in the mentorship program

Expressions of interest to be a mentor or mentee will open early 2026.

PWDA invites women and feminine-identifying non-binary people with disability who own small or micro businesses to join our Access to Enterprise Online Mentoring Program.

We are seeking:

• 10–15 Mentors
• 10–15 Mentees

This program runs April 2026 – February 2027 and offers a unique opportunity to learn, connect, and grow.

For Mentors

We’re looking for experienced business leaders with a proven track record of building and sustaining successful enterprises.

Mentors should bring:

• Significant long-term business experience
• Expertise across diverse sectors and industries
• A commitment to empowering women with disability through guidance, knowledge-sharing, and opening doors to influential networks

For Mentees

Are you a woman, feminine-identifying or non-binary person with disability who has owned a small or micro business for 1 year or more?

Do you want to strengthen your business, achieve sustainable self-employment, and grow within your industry? This program is designed for you.

Ready to participate as a mentor or mentee?

Please complete the form to express your interest.

Complete the form

Expressions of interest close 5:00pm Friday 13 February 2025.

Questions marked with an * are required fields.

Stay updated

Register your details below, selecting ‘Projects’ from the dropdown, to stay updated.

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To find out more about the Access to Enterprise project or to ask any questions, please email the project officer at projects@pwd.org.au or call 1800 422 015.

Proudly supported by the NSW Government in association with the Supporting Women in Business program.

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