Quarter of Business Owners in the UK Identify as Disabled

 iDid you know that about a quarter of small business owners in the UK identify as having a disability or health condition? That’s a significant chunk of the entrepreneurial community! But, despite their impressive contributions, many of these entrepreneurs face unique challenges that can make the business journey tougher than it should be.

The Hurdles Disabled Entrepreneurs Face:

1. Facing Discrimination: Sadly, nearly a quarter of disabled business owners have encountered discrimination or negative treatment along their entrepreneurial path. This can range from prejudiced attitudes to outright underestimation of their capabilities.

2. Health-Related Barriers: Over half of these entrepreneurs report challenges directly tied to their disabilities or health conditions. Think about difficulties in maintaining consistent work hours, meeting tight deadlines, or even accessing essential equipment.

3. Limited Support Access: A significant number haven’t tapped into available business support services. Why? Often, these services aren’t designed with accessibility in mind, pushing many to rely on informal networks or peer groups for guidance.

4. Financial Roadblocks: Here’s a startling fact: disabled entrepreneurs in the UK are 400 times less likely to secure investment compared to their non-disabled peers. This massive funding gap means missed opportunities not just for them, but for the broader economy too.

5. Mental Health Struggles: The combined pressures of running a business and managing a disability can take a toll. Around 34% of small business owners have reported a decline in their mental health, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic.

So, What’s the Way Forward for Business Owners with Disabilities?

Disabled entrepreneurs have some clear ideas on how to level the playing field:

• Make Support Services User-Friendly: Simplify and tailor business support services to meet the needs of disabled entrepreneurs. This means streamlining processes with agencies like HMRC and ensuring that tools, like website builders, are accessible to all.

• Easier Access to Funding: Develop financial products and services that cater specifically to disabled entrepreneurs. Also, let’s cut down the red tape in grant applications to make funding more attainable.

• Reduce Administrative Hassles: It’s exhausting for entrepreneurs with lifelong conditions to constantly prove their disability status. Moving towards a trust-based system can alleviate unnecessary stress and bureaucracy.

• Inclusive Policy-Making: By involving disabled entrepreneurs in policy development, we can ensure that support mechanisms are relevant and effective. This collaborative approach leads to practical solutions tailored to real-world challenges.

• Boost Support Accessibility: Ensure that business support services are genuinely accessible. This includes offering information in various formats and making support centers physically accessible.

By embracing these recommendations, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment where disabled entrepreneurs not only thrive but also continue to enrich the UK’s vibrant business landscape.

What’s my own experience?

Having worked with 100s of Business Owners with Disabilities and the one thing that many say takes up so much time is the Government’s Access to Work provision.  I have to say from a personal perspective, my experience has been mixed.  I recently had to renew my support and was fortunate to be allocated an experienced Case Manager in DWP.  He knew me from the 1000s of workplace assessments I have completed over the years and we agreed that I could present my Business Case as it were for an ergonomic chair, sit stand desk and an Apple Studio Monitor, Support Worker and travel support.  He knew that I knew what I was talking about and was a flexible as the Staff Guidance would allow.

The support was to resolve issue caused by my severe sight loss.  The support has been in place now for the past few months and has enabled me to take on more work than I would have been able to manage.

So, if you have read this and are a business owner with a disability or health condition or are about to embark on your first business venture then I am here to help.  If you have a query about Access to Work I can help with that too.

Read more about the research that the Federation of Small Business undertook you can do this at “Business Without Barriers“.

Together, let’s champion a business world that’s accessible and fair for everyone!

The difference that makes all the difference