By: Asianna Griffin, Occupational Therapy LEND Trainee
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As a LEND Trainee, I have been privileged enough to intern with the Entrepreneurship for Youth with Disabilities (EYD) project. EYD supports youth with disabilities from low-income communities with the goal of successful entrepreneurship and self-employment. This experience has made me immensely interested in entrepreneurship as a viable option for people with disabilities. Barriers to entrepreneurship & self-employment include lack of formal support from Vocational Rehabilitation counselors, lack of money and infrastructure to set up business, and discrimination.
People with disabilities deserve much more. They deserve equal opportunities, a stable income and living, and the right to explore their interests. Research shows that economic independence and entrepreneurship have increased people with disabilities’ autonomy. Being able to create your own working environment and sell a product or service that you love is empowering. As allies to the disability community, we should stand in agreement and fund projects like EYD that support and uplift entrepreneurship.
References:
https://eyd.ahs.uic.edu/about-eyd/
Ortiz García, P., & Olaz Capitán, Á. J. (2021). Entrepreneurship for People With Disabilities: From Skills to Social Value. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 699833. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.699833
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