Resources for the Self-Employed and Entrepreneurs

Some government agencies have developed or are now developing programs that support self-employment for people with disabilities. These include the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, the Rehabilitation Services. In addition, the SBA, which has traditionally supported small business development, has now committed to increasing outreach to entrepreneurs with disabilities. You may also want to contact your local Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (Appendix G) to see if they can provide you any assistance.

Disabled Businesspersons Association
5850 Hardy Avenue, Suite 112
San Diego, CA 92182-5313

Telephone: (619) 594-8805
Fax: (619) 594-4208
E-mail: dbanet@ix.netcom.com
Web site: http://www.web-link.com/dba/dba.htm

The Disabled Businesspersons Association provides free business information and assistance to enterprising individuals with disabilities and professionals in vocation rehabilitation. President's Committee on Employment of

People with Disabilities (PCEPD)
1331 F Street NW
Washington, DC 20004-1107

Telephone: (202) 376-6200
TDD: (202) 376-6205
Fax: (202) 376-6219
E-mail: davis-r@pcepd.gov (Speed Davis) or
daly-ellen@pcepd.gov (Ellen Daly)
Web site: http://www.pcepd.gov

The PCEPD coordinates and promotes public and private efforts to enhance employment opportunities for people with disabilities. It provides information, training, and technical assistance to America's business leaders, organized labor, rehabilitation and service providers, advocacy organizations, families of people with disabilities, and people with disabilities. The PCEPD reports to the president on the progress and problems of maximizing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

The PCEPD has addressed issues involved in entrepreneurship and self employment in a variety of ways. They developed the Small Business Self-Employment Services information and resource center listed below. In addition, the PCEPD has entered into an agreement with the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Presidential Task Force on the Employment of Adults with Disabilities to develop local networks of federal, state, and local agencies, and private sector entitiesto assist and finance small business and those serving people with disabilities. These agencies will coordinate with other federal agencies to convene a series of seminars and workshops in cities and towns across the country beginning in 2000. These activities will have two goals:

1. To establish a partnership between local disability community service providers and the public and private small business resources in their area, and
2. To educate potential entrepreneurs with disabilities about small business options, procedures and resources.

The PCEPD is also working with the SBA and the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) to create a training program on self-employment and entrepreneurship for people with disabilities. This program is intended to reach three audiences: people with disabilities who need to know where the resources are, people who do small business counseling or teach business in universities or community colleges, and people who work in disability related support programs, such as rehabilitation counselors and people who work in independent living centers.

The PCEPD also presents the "Evan Kemp Award" each yearto a person with a disability who is successfully operating a small business. The 1999 award was presented to Sandra Brock, the disabled owner of a growing specialty packaging manufacturer, at a breakfast sponsored by the SBA during its Small Business Week in May. The award is named after the late Evan Kemp, a successful entrepreneur with a disability who also served as Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Small Business Self-Employment Service (SBSES)

Job Accommodation Network
PO Box 6080
Morgantown, WV 26506-6080

Phone: 800-526-7234
Telephone and TTY: 1-800-526-7234
Fax: 304-293-5407
E-mail: kcording@wvu.edu
Web site: http://janweb.icdi.wvu.edu/SBSES

The SBSES is a project of the President'.s The Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, and is located at the Job Accommodation Network It provides comprehensive information, counseling, and referrals about self-employment and small business ownership opportunities for people with disabilities. Its Web site provides extensive lists of resources and other helpful information. For more specific or personalized information, call the telephone numbers listed above.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
409 3rd Street SW
Washington, DC 20416

Telephone: (202) 205-6706 or 1-800-827-5722
TDD/TTY: (202) 205-6189
Fax: (202) 205-6903
Web site: http://www.sba.gov

The SBA provides assistance to help Americans start, run, and grow their businesses. Resources include the Senior Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) and Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs). SCORE provides management advice from experienced professionals who volunteer their time to help people starting or expanding a business. SBDCs offer one-stop assistance to current and beginning business owners by providing information and guidance. Services are usually located in easily accessible community buildings such as colleges, vocational schools, and chamber of commerce buildings. Staff and volunteers come from a wide range of professional backgrounds and provide advice and assistance in all aspects of small business management, including finances, marketing, production, organization, engineering, technical problems, and feasibility studies.