Entrepreneurship, or self-employment, is often a great option for individuals with disabilities. In fact, self employment is the fastest growing sector of our economy. Here are a few reasons why it works so well for people with disabilities:
- You can create a comfortable work environment
- There are fewer transportation barriers
- You can work on your own schedule
- You get to do something you enjoy
Now, let’s take a closer look at each of these reasons!
You can create a comfortable work environment.
Many traditional jobs – whether they’re retail or service jobs or even office jobs – can be noisy and crowded, which can be uncomfortable if you have sensory or social challenges. When you work for yourself, you can choose where to work. Some people like to work from home, while others rent an office they can customize, or get a subscription to a coworking space.Â
There are fewer transportation barriers.
If you rely on buses, public transportation, or getting rides from your support network, your employment options may be limited to what’s accessible. If you are your own boss, you can build a business in your home or neighborhood, or set your working hours so that they better align with your transportation options. You can also decide, if you’d like, to create an entirely virtual work environment – handling all of your business online.
You can work on your own schedule.
As an entrepreneur, you have the freedom to set at least part of your own schedule. If your customers want to book services or shop at specific times, that’s when you need to work. But you can still set your own availability. For example, if you are a DJ and you often work on weekends, you can choose to take Monday and Tuesday off instead. You can also set up an ecommerce shop or other online business tools to sell products or book appointments even when you’re not actively working.
You get to do something you enjoy.
Many entrepreneurs start their businesses to be able to do work that they love, such as creating art or working on cars. When you can connect your passions with the needs of your customers, you can build a business that is fun to work in and profitable!
If you’d like to learn more about how to start your own business, sign up for our online business class, Spark 101. You’ll identify your strengths, interests, and preferences, and see how those can become employment opportunities.