Industry-Driven Support (IDS) model to build social capital and business skills of low-income entrepreneurs with disabilities

Abstract

Self-employment is a viable option for individuals with disabilities; however traditional self-employment services typically do not meet the needs of entrepreneurs with disabilities. Further, social capital is important for starting and maintaining a business; yet individuals with disabilities are considered to have low social capital. As a result, low-income entrepreneurs with disabilities often experience difficulties finding adequate resources to start and maintain a business. The Industry-Driven Support (IDS) model, developed over a two year period with a Participatory Action Research team, was designed to increase business skills and social capital of low-income entrepreneurs with disabilities. The program offers training sessions on a specific business topic (e.g., marketing), networking sessions on building social capital, and one-on-one business support to a cohort of entrepreneurs in a specific industry (e.g., Arts and Crafts). Sessions were provided using web-conferencing technology. The model has been piloted with 38 low-income Alaskan entrepreneurs with disabilities, including those living in rural areas. The IDS model demonstrates promise as a cost-effective method for delivering training, providing needed supports, and connecting low-income entrepreneurs with disabilities to each other and needed resources.