Self employment provides possibilties for people with disabilities

From The Financial Post in Canada:

More avenues are opening up for people with health challenges and physical disabilities to launch their own business. This is especially important as the term "disability" grows to include conditions that aren't physically obvious, ranging from environmental sensitivities to chronic pain, learning challenges, behavioural disorders or even clinical depression.

Yet, there is a growing awareness that such individuals are more than capable of running their own business and in many cases, are better able to manage their condition when in charge of their own schedules and work commitments.

Sunny Gervan (pictured) has quadrupled her client list within one year of launching an architectural renovation and restoration company, Design Revolution.

Having learned the business under the tutelage of her father, designer Mac Gervan in Kingston, Ont., Ms. Gervan had to relocate to Toronto to access health programs unavailable in that city.

She describes her condition only as a "hidden disability" that is episodic in nature and requires her to carefully manage her workload. To empower herself in the business world, she enlisted in programs funded by the federal and provincial governments, including a business incubator that caters to entrepreneurs with disabilities run by the Toronto Business Development Centre (TBDC).

"I learned how to organize, prioritize and be disciplined," says Ms. Gervan, whose clients run the gamut from individual homeowners to contractors. They retain her expertise in a project management capacity, which requires her to liaise with government agencies and facilitate requisite permits and specifications.

She says the one-on-one coaching she received from the program's business advisors was particularly beneficial. "They showed me ways I could make contingency plans to get through what are normal ups and downs for most people, but for me would be a little more exaggerated in terms of fatigue or the ability to get through a day. There are things that come up on a regular basis that I need to carefully manage. At the same time, I want to work because it makes me feel good," she says.

"Because I'm aware of my health challenges and I'm very careful with my energy and my health, I've structured my business with safeguards and partnerships that create a solid foundation for my business and its growth."

Ms. Gervan suggests people with disabilities are even more capable of surmounting challenges as they live with them daily. "Coming to the table with a disability or larger challenges, I come with coping skills and problem-solving capabilities and I know how and when to use them," she says. "I have confidence that obstacles can be overcome."

Rondon Rollocks worked as an events planner when he decided he wanted to be his own boss. Diagnosed with dyslexia, he turned to the JVS Learning Disabilities Centre along with the TBDC to strengthen his management skills before launching his own events company, Think.Event.Solutions.

He says because his condition is hidden and he's able to communicate well, "when I do ask for help people don't necessarily believe I need it. It's very difficult to explain to people what you're going through when you're doing better than most."

Mr. Rollocks says the programs he used have helped him learn how to subcontract out tasks such as report writing, freeing him to facilitate business. He has helped plan premier events such as the Toronto Film Festival. "Now I can tell people that I'm dyslexic because it doesn't matter," Mr. Rollocks says.

"When people know you have an invisible disability sometimes they look for it when it isn't there. If you don't understand something it's ‘oh that's because you're dyslexic.' But no, it's because you didn't explain that properly."

Carol Van Wyck became an advisor to the TBDC after visual and hearing impairments ended her successful belt and handbag manufacturing enterprise. She
first launched a consultancy, RightReps, before being retained by the TBDC.

"It wasn't until I arrived on my first day and was introduced as an advisor with disabilities that I realized that I had never considered myself to be disabled," she says.

She also says individuals with physical challenges can often be more successful in business. "People who have to manage a disability are good managers and I think it prepares them even more to be a good entrepreneur."

Katherine Roos, community programs manager at the TBDC, points to Statistics Canada figures that show the employment of people with disabilities has made some gains since 2001, rising to 53.5% in 2006 from 49.3%. She contends many of those people are starting their own businesses.

Resources across the country include: the Western Economic Diversification Program's Entrepreneurs with Disabilities; the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Network in Nova Scotia and Service Canada's Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program along with various provincial initiatives.

As well, organizations including the Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development (CEED), the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF), Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and various credit unions have programs to facilitate financing for disabled business owners.

Still, Ms. Roos says more needs to be done. "Entrepreneurs with disabilities have always started business with zero money, so they're extremely entrepreneurial," she says. "Self employment really is an ideal choice for people with disabilities but there needs to be financial resources dedicated to helping these entrepreneurs to level the playing field. We're not talking about government handouts, but creating equal opportunities."