Affiliations: BOLD Consulting Group, LLC, 1510 E. 10th Avenue, Suite
7W, Denver, CO 80218, USA. Tel.: +1 303 831 0219; Fax: +1 303 830 0163;
E-mail: [email protected]; Web Site: www.bold-owners.com
Abstract: To have self-employment as a true option for people with
disabilities, vocational rehabilitation counselors need to understand what "at
risk" means in the small business setting. They need to learn the steps that
can be taken to reduce that "risk", increasing the probability of developing a
successful business. The advantages of self-employment for a person with
disabilities must be taken into consideration when assessing risk, for these
often more than outweigh any risk involved. Positive methods should be employed
to increase the probability of the person creating a successful, long-term
business. These methods including entrepreneurship training, effective business
planning that incorporates both personal and business goals, and technical
support that looks at, and continues into, the future of the business rather
than just its start up. Finally, risk is reduced by utilizing workplace
accommodations that increase the effectiveness of the entire business, rather
than just focusing the needs of the business owner with disabilities.
Keywords: self-employment, entrepreneurship, people with disabilities, risk, business risk, accommodations, entrepreneurs with disabilities, small business
