- Small Business Administration (SBA): The SBA helps business owners through counseling, loans, and contracting.
- Office on Disability Employment Policy (ODEP): This is part of the US Department of Labor and has a section on self-employment and entrepreneurship.
individuals with disabilities have many options for employment, including owning their own business. Creative flexibility for people with disabilities will enhance their options for self-employment. •
Adapted from National RAISE (Resources for Access, Independence, Self-Determination & Employment) The Standard newsletter.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lauren Agoratus, M.A is a parent of a medicallycomplex young adult and serves as the Coordinator for Family Voices-NJ and as the regional coordinator in her state's Family-to-Family Health Information Center, both housed at the SPAN Parent Advocacy Network at spanadvocacy.org
WORK IN PROGRESS : J. BADGER CONSULTING
J. Badger Consulting raisecenter.org Dr. Josie Badger started her own business eight years ago. Josie has been very involved in I Want to Work (iwanttoworkpa.org), passing legislation, and working with the disability community. When Josie was told "you can't," she thought "I will." She directs the national RAISE Center (raisecenter.org) and has won many awards for her work in the disability community. Josie's blog is available at raisecenter.org/raise-center-blog
"People with disabilities are creative and driven individuals, making us ideal entrepreneurs," says Josie. "Creativity and self-motivation are important personality characteristics to have in order to be a business owner. Benefits of self-employment include flexible work schedule, including breaks as needed." Josie suggests not doing this alone and some resources she recommends are:
- Vocational Rehabilitation which helps startup businesses
- PASS Plans which allow savings to reach goals, including your own business
- Small Business Development Centers to identify pros/cons, guidance, and finding professionals like accountants.
- Benefits counselors to help decide how much to earn/save and retain benefits.
START ME UP : RESOURCES FOR ENTRENEURSHIP AND SMALL BUSINESSES
RAISE RAISE the Standard newsletter raisecenter.org/the-standard-vol-6-1-jan-2020-2-2-2-2-2-2-2
RAISE Center blog: "Redesigning the Employment Narrative" by Kyann Flint raisecenter.blog/2020/09/24/redesigning-the-employment-narrative-by-kyann-flint
GRIFFIN-HAMMIS ASSOCIATES griffinhammis.com Video on starting a business youtube.com/watch?v=ndh9hp0wm8E "Making Self-Employment Work for People with Disabilities" amazon.com/Making-Self-Employment-Work-People- Disabilities/dp/1598574035/ref=sr_1_2/
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY Self-Employment Q & A: Discovery vcurrtc.org/resources/viewContent.cfm/696
NATIONAL COLLABORATIVE ON WORKFORCE AND DISABILITY FOR YOUTH The Road to Self-Sufficiency: A Guide to Entrepreneurship for Youth to Entrepreneurship for Youth with Disabilities ncwd-youth.info/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/entrepreneurship_guide.pdf
HONEYBOOK Panel: “Small Business Ownership & Disability” www.youtube.com/watch?v=32XgEOPAh-E
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Meet Your Employment Team GRIFFIN-HAMMIS ASSOCIATES griffinhammis.com Video on starting a business youtube.com/watch?v=ndh9hp0wm8E "Making Self-Employment Work for People with Disabilities" amazon.com/Making-Self-Employment-Work-People- Disabilities/dp/1598574035/ref=sr_1_2/ choosework.ssa.gov/about/meet-your-employment-team/index.html Work Incentives choosework.ssa.gov/about/work-incentives/index.html Plan to Achieve Self Suppor choosework.ssa.gov/blog/2017-02-22-plan-to-achieve-self-support Ticket to Work choosework.ssa.gov
SCORE Help for Small Businesses www.score.org
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION sba.gov
OFFICE ON DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT POLICY dol.gov/agencies/odep/program-areas/employers/self-employment-entrepreneurship