Women with disabilities are growing tired of the lack of flexibility in the conventional workplace, the discrimination they encounter because of their disabilities and gender, and as a response are opting to strike out on their own. Self-employment offers opportunities for people with disabilities to tailor working conditions to meet their needs.

However, many women (especially those with disabilities) are intimidated by the thought of starting their own business. Despite popular belief, the success rate of small businesses is surprisingly high. The U.S. Small Business Administration reports that more than 79% of small businesses are still operating after the initial 5 years. One way to significantly reduce some of the anxiety resulting from starting a small business is to develop a business plan. The typical small business plan is a relatively simple document that lays out a very flexible course for opening, managing, and growing an enterprise. For those with disabilities, a business plan serves an even more important function: it helps convince Vocational Rehabilitation officesⁱ, Workforce Investment Act Agenciesⁱⁱ, and the Social Security Administration that the business is feasible.

Most conventional business plans contain the following elements (in order)

• Executive summary or cover letter

• Short business description

• Brief discussion of the enterprise's management

• Section on employees that describes recruitment, remuneration, and critical job descriptions

• Section on operations and suppliers

• Explanation of the marketing mix and sales strategy

• Section on finances

Resource:
Making Self-Employment Work for People with Disabilities. Cary Griffin & David Hammis 2003
http://www.pbrookes.com/store/books/griffin-6520/

See our Resources section for more Business Plan resources.

i Vocational Rehabilitation (VR): A state and federally funded program charged with assisting eligible individuals with significant disabilities in finding employment. VR can and does support business development, vocational training, and college education. VR offices are found in communities across every U.S. state and territory. Access to VR can also be obtained through local One-Stop Centers.

ii Workforce Investment Act (WIA): This 1998 Federal act (PL 105-220) created One-Stop Centers (also known as Workforce Development Centers) across the U.S. to serve all people seeking employment. VR and other disability organizations are collaborating in WIA, and it is another source of technical assistance and potential funding for wage jobs and self-employment.