Possible Barriers To Self-Employment for People with Disabilities

Starting a business is challenging and risky. People with disabilities face additional barriers. It is important to recognize and address potential barriers early. The following obstacles might confront adults with disabilities who want to be self-employed or start a business:

• threat of loss of Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance benefits
• threat of loss of health care benefits (the Work Incentives Improvement Act may reduce or eliminate this threat)
• inability to obtain health insurance due to a preexisting condition
• loss of housing and other subsidies
• poor or unestablished credit rating
• lack of assets or collateral to put up for a loan
• income support programs that limit assets that can be accumulated
• lack of information on how to start a business
• restricted access to support networks
• preconceived ideas about people with disabilities within programs that support entrepreneurship and self-employment
• lack of encouragement and support to explore self-employment options from programs assisting people with disabilities (e.g., vocational rehabilitation programs)
• general discrimination based on stereotypes about the capabilities of people with disabilities

Many of these obstacles can be overcome by using the resources listed at the end of this chapter.