Business Resources for Entrepreneurs with a Disability

There are more opportunities than ever for individuals with disabilities to start their own businesses. Those who are deaf, blind, paralyzed or dealing with intellectual disabilities can reach out to government programs, support nonprofits and organizations, scholarship and grant foundations and more. These programs boost the likelihood of success, and give people with a disability and a plan the start they need.

The business plan is the most crucial element for anybody trying to start an enterprise, whether disabled or not. This plan outlines specific information about the potential business, including purpose, cost, demographics, marketing plans and risks. These plans are beneficial not only to the business owner for laying out clear and concrete actions, a business plan is also necessary in order to receive assistance. Lenders and foundations won’t open their pocketbooks or resources without a business owner having a credible business plan. Every entrepreneur had to start somewhere, so budding business owners should seek guidance on creating the business plan and provide the necessary research.

Marketing refers to the act of spreading the word about a business, in order to garner more business and make valuable contacts. Disabled people can do this through various networking associations, partnering with other people with disabilities and pooling resources. They can also create marketing plans that help advertise the business and give people the opportunity to get the word out. Marketing should never be done in a haphazard way, but should instead be done through consistent, deliberate actions. This is the cornerstone of business and will help people maximize their potential.

Outreach and growth through sponsorship, events, initiatives and multimedia allow business owners to become a staple in the community and marketplace. Disabled organizations often produce seminars on the benefits of outreach, teaching business owners how to properly position themselves for success. These programs are worth their weight in gold, as a connection with the community drops the barrier between producer and consumer, and opens channels of communication. It also goes without saying that no business has ever been started without some capital costs. Disabled people have a number of options in this regard, including generous low-interest loans, government grants and coaching and mentorship for prospective disabled entrepreneurs. This startup money is crucial to the success of a person’s business, so anyone looking to open an enterprise should focus on securing the necessary monies to make the dream a reality.

Business Plans

Self-Employment and Entrepreneurship Resources for Disabled Individuals
Starting and Financing a Business for People With Disabilities
A National Study of Deaf Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners: Implications for Career Counseling
Business and Entrepreneurship in the Deaf Culture
Training the Blind to Run Businesses
Helping Veterans Create Businesses
5 Super Powers That Your Business Plan Has, That You Didn’t Know About
Example of Tactical Planning in Business
Writing a Business Plan

Marketing Strategies

A Five-Step Approach to Creating a Marketing Strategy
A Marketing Plan is Necessary for Small Business
Advertising Symbiosis: The Key to Viral Videos
Writing a Marketing Plan
Conducting a Social Marketing Campaign
Marketing Plan Tutorial
Marketing Plan Framework

Outreach and Growth

What Every Small Business Needs to Know About Being a Sponsor
Exploring the Lived Experiences of Deaf Entrepreneurs and Business Owners
What Are the Benefits of Registering a Business?
The Viscardi Center
Disability Business Network
Working While Disabled
What’s it Like to Work in an Office When You are Deaf?
Self Employment and Entrepreneurship for People with Disabilities
Social Security Administration Official Website
Chamber of Commerce for Persons with Disabilities, Inc.

Finances

Bank Size, Lending Technologies, and Small Business Finance
Starved for Financing: Is There Relief in Sight for U.S. Small Businesses?
Does Distance Still Matter? The Information Revolution in Small Business Lending
Working Capital Financing of a Small Business
Starting a Business – For People with Disabilities
SBA Business Loans Guaranteed by the Veterans Administration
Small Business Types and Programs
10 Ways to Finance Your Business
State Economic Development and Funding Resources
Facts about Disability Related Tax Provisions
Tax Benefits for Businesses Who Have Employees with Disabilities
ADA Tax Incentives Packet