Many disabled people are opting to run their own businesses, contributing to economic growth. According to the Office for Disability Issues (2011) ‘Life Opportunities Survey’ about 10 per cent of disabled people who are working are self-employed – higher than the rate for other people.
The CBI has reported that UK economic growth will also be driven by small and medium-sized businesses which cover nearly 50 per cent of private sector jobs and account for over half of all private sector turnover.
To help boost growth and develop disabled people’s skills and experiences, the Radiate Network of senior professionals with experience of disability or health conditions convened a recent panel to discuss how to help people establish and manage their own business.
Liz Sayce the chief executive of Disability Rights UK, said: “Disabled people can help take us out of recession. Gone are the days when disabled people were just recipients of benefits or support – we are contributors. We urge government to ensure that small business support is available to disabled people and that support systems – like Access to Work – are flexible enough to support people setting up their own businesses.”
The panel included Helen Cooke the founder of MyPlus Consulting, Dr John Charles the founder of Catering2order.com, Stephen Pegge the director of SME Markets, Commercial Banking at Lloyds Banking Group and David Cartwright the group chief executive of Arise Solutions International, founded 15 years ago, which provides work for disabled people in Florida. It now operates in four countries with 25,000 home-based agents.
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