Making Self-Employment Work for People with Disabilities

Second Edition

by Cary Griffin David Hammis Beth Keeton and Molly Sullivan Griffin-Hammis Associates, LLC Florence, Montana

Contents

• About the Reproducible Forms ... vii
• About the Authors ... ix
• Foreword Paul Wehman. ... xiii
• Preface ... xvii
• Acknowledgments ... xix

1. Self-Employment as a Mainstream Approach to Adult Life ... 1

2. Person-Centered Business Planning: Discovering Personal Genius ... 21

3. Business Feasibility ... 39

4. Building the Business Plan ... 49

5. Marketing and Sales Tactics ... 71

6. Small Business and Social Security Income Benefits Analysis ... 99

7. Small Business Finance and Small Business Owners with Disabilities ... 153

8. References ... 187

9. Appendix A: Reproducible Forms ... 193

10. Appendix B: Business Feasibility Resources ... 255

11. Index ... 259

About the Authors

Cary Griffin

Cary Griffin is Senior Partner at Griffin-Hammis Associates, a full-service consultancy specializing in building communities of economic cooperation, creating high-performance organizations, and focusing on disability and employment. He is also Co-Director of the U.S. Department of Labor’s National Self-Employment Technical Assistance, Resources, and Training project with Virginia Commonwealth University and has significant experience in the rehabilitation field.

David Hammis

David Hammis was Executive Director of the Center for Social Capital and Senior Partner at Griffin-Hammis Associates. He has extensive experience in customized and self-employment and was responsible for the implementation of hundreds of Plans to Achieve Self-Support.

Beth Keeton

Beth Keeton is Senior Consultant with Griffin-Hammis Associates. She has worked closely with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to enhance self-employment outcomes and has developed training curricula for important self-employment initiatives.

Molly Sullivan

Molly Sullivan has been assisting people with disabilities in pursuing wage and self-employment since the 1990s. She has provided training and technical assistance on innovative employment strategies and has worked with numerous agencies in delivering self-employment services.

Self-Employment as a Mainstream Approach to Adult Life

Important Terms in This Chapter

• Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs): Local rehabilitation agencies offering services such as sheltered employment, supported employment, service coordination, and more.
• Small Business Administration (SBA): A federal agency supporting small business development across the U.S.
• Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs): Centers offering free business assistance in the U.S.
• Social Security Administration (SSA): The primary benefits system for people with disabilities in the U.S.
• Vocational Rehabilitation (VR): A program helping individuals with disabilities find employment.
• Workforce Investment Act (WIA): A federal act creating One-Stop Centers for job seekers, including those with disabilities.

Many people begin their working lives as teenagers. Delivering newspapers, mowing lawns, and other jobs help build character and a strong work ethic. Unfortunately, many students with significant disabilities miss these opportunities. Legislation like the Education for All Handicapped Children Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act supports individuals with disabilities in achieving equal access to careers and meaningful employment.

Self-employment is presented as a natural evolution in employment strategy, particularly for those with disabilities. Owning a business can provide a less stigmatized avenue for employment and can align personal interests with market needs. Self-employment in the U.S. is growing rapidly, with many individuals finding success despite prior employment challenges.

Choosing Self-Employment Self-employment should be a personal choice weighed against various life circumstances, including financial position, available supports, and business viability. Indicators for success include having prior work experience and understanding market demands. Each individual's situation should be assessed to determine necessary supports for starting a business.

Examples of Successful Individuals and Businesses

• Andrew started a successful business selling stuffed animals at a local nature center, leveraging volunteer skills into a retail opportunity with community support.
• George, diagnosed with autism, established a greenhouse business supplying produce to a roadside stand, utilizing family and local business partnerships for support.
• Sarah leveraged a local bakery to launch her espresso business, demonstrating a symbiotic relationship enhancing her entrepreneurial capacity.
• Edward transitioned from glass installation to becoming a business owner despite challenges associated with schizophrenia, proving that support and belief in one’s abilities can lead to significant success.

Typical Concerns About Small Business and Disability

• Concerns about the viability and success of individuals with disabilities as business owners often lead to hesitance from both individuals and professionals. However, data suggests that small businesses have a high survival rate, with a movement toward embracing self-employment as a valid and valuable career option for people with disabilities.