Self employment is an important option for disabled people and offers many advantages over traditional employment:
- manage your own working environment - accessibility
- choose when and how you work - use your time flexibly
- avoid discrimination and comparisons with non-disabled colleagues in the workplace
- timescale and priorities can be set to suit yourself
- freedom to be in control of your working life
- job satisfaction
The following organisations will be able to help if you are thinking about self employment:
Access to Work
The government through its Access to Work programme offers grant aid, plus practical help and advice to disabled people who would like to become self employed. Access to Work can help in a number of ways. You could get help to pay for:
- a communicator if you are deaf or have a hearing impairment
- a support worker (reader), if you are blind or have a visual impairment
- specialist equipment to suit your needs in your workplace
- adaptation to premises or existing equipment
- help with travel to, or in, work
Under the Access to Work scheme, disabled people in self employment get all "approved costs" paid for. To find out more information about Access to Work and how it could help you contact the Disability Employment Adviser at Southampton Jobcentre, tel: 023 8053 8600 or visit the website www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk.
The Prince's Trust
The Prince's Trust may also be able to help if you have a good idea for a business but cannot get funding. They provide low interest loans, grants and business mentors as well as self-help kits, seminars and free advice lines. If you are between the ages of 18-30, unemployed or employed in a part-time or inadequate job and feel ready to work for yourself, you may be eligible.
For further information contact The Prince's Trust (Hampshire Office), tel: 023 8065 3637, email: [email protected], or visit the website: www.princes-trust.org.uk. Visit topic area: Young Entrepreneurs
Disabled Entrepreneurs Network (DEN)
This is in the process of being set up by the Association of Disabled Professionals to provide:
- networking opportunities among self employed disabled people and those setting up and running their own small businesses
- signposting opportunities to accessible and appropriate training and development for disabled entrepreneurs
- a forum for identifying and sharing good practice on self employment and small business management amongst disabled people
The DEN will be able to provide you with a variety of information as well as linking in with key agencies such as The Prince's Trust. On completion, the project will ensure total access and inclusion to the network for all disabled people, regardless of impairment.
The Association of Disabled Professionals also produces a booklet "Being Self Employed as a Disabled Person" which is intended as a starting point for disabled people who are, or who want to become, self employed. Much of the employment advice is based on the experience of disabled people who are already working for themselves.
For further information contact the Association of Disabled Professionals, tel: 01204 431638, fax: 01204 431638 email: [email protected] or visit the website www.adp.org.uk, for DEN visit www.disabled-entrepreneurs.net.
Enham - Business Ability Project
Anyone with a disability, aged between 18 and 65, who is disadvantaged in realising his or her employment potential and who wishes to start their own business can apply to Enham to join the Business Ability project.
The Business Ability team can help you turn your business idea into reality by providing advice on:
- in-work benefits
- disability support
- business planning
- business support from various other organisations (co-ordinated by Business Ability)
- on-going mentor support
A wide variety of successful businesses have been set up, through the provision of start-up grants and free and confidential professional advice.
To find out more contact 01372 841386 or speak to your local Business Link or Enterprise Agency.
Useful links
Southampton Centre for Independent Living Ltd (Advice, support and consultancy)
tel: 023 8033 0982
fax: 023 8022 5060
text: 023 8063 5167
email: [email protected]
www.southamptoncil.demon.co.uk
www.disability.gov.uk
Find out about your civil rights and see how to use the internet as a source of information
Disability Rights Commission
tel: 08457 622 633
www.drc-gb.org/drc/
www.disability.gov.uk/policy/residentialtraining/
Residential training colleges providing training to help secure employment or self employment
Department for Work and Pensions provide advice and support for disabled people.
www.dwp.gov.uk
National Group on Homeworking
Advice and support on home working issues
tel: 0800 174 095
www.homeworkinguk.com
