Ready to visit your local SBA office? Statistics show that people with disabilities start their own businesses at an unusually high rate relative to the rest of the population. To quote the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), Information from the 1990 national census shows that people with disabilities have a higher rate of self-employment and small business experience than people without disabilities (12.2 percent of people with disabilities versus 7.8 percent of people without disabilities.)
If you’re one of those who feel that starting your own small business is the right path for you, there are a number of government programs you’ll want to be aware of to help you get started or help you take things to the next level.
The Small Business Administration (SBA), the ADA, and You
Although it doesn’t offer programs specific to entrepreneurs with disabilities, the Small Business Administration does have a useful collection of resources and programs that can be useful to you. For example, although not created by the SBA, one of the resources it recommends for entrepreneurs with disabilities is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which includes provisions that protect your ability to secure access to financing, insurance, and bonding while you are starting or growing your business.
For financing assistance and options, you may want to visit the SBA’s Financial Assistance page, which provides an excellent overview of the SBA financial assistance programs, plus a free online course entitled “Finance Primer: Guide to SBA’s Loan Guaranty Programs.” (For specific grants available from the many government agencies that offer financial support, see Grants.gov. When you search the database, be sure to include the word “disability” to pick up all financial aid specifically targeting people with disabilities.)
Also, keep in mind that the SBA does offer several special programs for disabled vets, for women and for minorities (see “Opportunity Gaps”), a phrase which often includes people with disabilities in its scope.
Small Business and Self Employment for People with Disabilities
From the Office of Disability Employment Policy, the Small Business and Self Employment for People with Disabilities document provides an excellent overview of 1) background information and statistics related to entrepreneurship among those with disabilities, 2) barriers to entrepreneurship for people with disabilities, and 3) benefits of entrepreneurship for people with disabilities. In addition, they list several online resources that can help you find financing assistance, management information, and other helpful supports.
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
Another ODEP-supported services, JAN provides free, individualized technical assistance, consulting, and mentoring services to individuals with disabilities, family members, and service providers. JAN consultants handle each inquiry on a case-by-case basis, offering self-employment and small business development expertise and referrals regarding all aspects of entrepreneurship.
Among these are business planning, financing strategies, marketing research, disability-specific programs, income supports and benefits planning, e-commerce, independent contracting, home-based business options, and small business initiatives for disabled veterans. JAN provides you with a resource packet tailored to your specific entrepreneurial goals, in addition to making available consultants throughout all stages of the process who can provide ongoing supports.
JAN's services, all free, can be accessed via their website or through their toll-free numbers (800)526-7234 (V); (877)781-9403 (TTY) or 1-800-232-9675/V/TTY.
SBA, ADA, ODEP and JAN: We’re From the Government, and We’re Here to Help
True, it’s not very often you hear “we’re here to help” and it’s really true, but trust us, this is one of those times that the government really is trying to help you achieve a goal – in this case, to start your own small business. So start thinking about that business plan now, and then check out these resources to see how they can help.
