Small businesses are the driving force behind the nation's economic growth.Small business has created virtually all the new jobs between 1992 and 1996. People with disabilities are increasingly turning to small business ownership to improve their economic status and take control of their lives. Self-employment offers significant potential as a means to accessing the American dream for many people with disabilities.

To further this cause the United States Department of Labor (U.S. DOL) offers resources to help people with disabilities realize their dream. In the FY 2001 budget, Congress approved a new Office of Disability Employment Policy for the Department of Labor. They offer many business or labor resources with the goal of increasing employment of persons with disabilities. One of these resources is the The Small Business and Self-Employment Service.

WHAT IS THE SMALL BUSINESS AND SELF-EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (SBSES)?

The SBSES is a service of the U.S. DOL's Office of Disability Employment Policy which provides comprehensive information, counseling and referrals about self-employment and small business ownership opportunities for people with disabilities. Entrepreneurship is an exciting opportunity for people with disabilities to realize their full potential while becoming financially self-supporting. Some of the benefits of self-employment or small business include working at home, control of your work schedule and the independence that comes from making your own decisions.

WHO SHOULD USE THE SBSES?

The SBSES can answer questions about starting a business or self-employment practice from:

• people with disabilities
• service providers
• friends and family of people with disabilities
• Anyone else with an interest in promoting self-employment and small business as career choices for people with disabilities.

WHAT INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE?

The knowledgeable staff of the SBSES can provide information and referrals about:

Starting a Business

• developing a business concept
• market research
• writing a business plan
• obtaining capital
• loan guarantees

  Managing a Business

• technical assistance resources
• growing a business
• personnel management
• financial management
• developing a marketing plan

  Disability Issues

• Social Security
• PASS plans
• health care
• working at home

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

As with all services provided by the Office of Disability Employment Policy, SBSES information is free. There is no cost to you for the telephone call or for any materials which we send you. All communications are confidential.

HOW DO I CONTACT THE SBSES?

The SBSES is staffed by the Office of Disability Employment Policy's Job Accommodation Network (JAN), a trusted name in disability information services since 1983.
Telephones are answered Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). Voice mail records messages after hours, weekends, and holidays.

Phone Number: 800-526-7234

Mailing Address:
Small Business and Self-Employment Service
Job Accommodation Network
PO Box 6080
Morgantown, WV 26506-6080
Phone: 800-526-7234 V/TT
Fax: 304-293-5407
URL: http://www.jan.wvu.edu/SBSES
Email: kcording@wvu.edu

Credit:

The Small Business and Self-Employment Service
The SBSES is a service of the U.S. DOL's Office of Disability Employment Policy which provides comprehensive information, counseling and referrals about self-employment and small business ownership opportunities for people with disabilities.

Article information: http://www.jan.wvu.edu/SBSES/ABOUT.HTM

Reprint of this article does not constitute an endorsement by the National Business Association; the article is for informational purposes for our members and viewers of our Web site.