The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has launched a dedicated online hub to support disabled entrepreneurs and encourage small businesses to be more inclusive and accessible.
Entrepreneurs face many hurdles – disability shouldn’t be one of them. Businesses Without Barriers brings together a wealth of information, interviews and resources from leading experts and organisations. From starting a business to improving workplace accessibility, FSB has curated guidance, advice, and grant opportunities for small business owners and the self-employed.
Visit our information hub at: fsb.org.uk/bwb
New research
The Business Without Barriers hub launches as FSB’s latest report focussed on disability employment and entrepreneurship states that 52% of business owners have experienced a barrier due to their disability or health condition. The report explores several areas, including disabled enterprise, employment, and occupational health.
As the leading voice for 5.5 million small businesses and the self-employed in the UK, FSB’s report includes their recommendations for Government as part of a 10-Point Plan for Disability and Entrepreneurship.
“Despite the prevalence of people with disabilities and health conditions entering self-employment, support available for them to start and grow their business is lacking,” said Julian John, FSB Disability, Health, and Wellbeing Policy Chair.
Advice from successful disabled entrepreneurs
Starting your own business can feel daunting, especially when faced with additional challenges as a disabled entrepreneur. Having recovered from brain damage in 2005 which left him with limited mobility, Julian John set up Delsion, an inclusion-led people and development consultancy, to help break down the barriers to employment that he faced himself while long-term unemployed.
Julian encourages disabled entrepreneurs to speak to as many people as possible. “I’ve used my resilience, tenacity, and problem-solving skills in business. FSB has always been with me since I started the business and it’s allowed me to feel like I belong to something.” said Julian.
Visit: fsb.org.uk/bwb to discover Julian’s story.
The hub includes interviews with award-winning disabled entrepreneurs Mark Esho MBE and Elizabeth Wilkinson, who share their own journey and advice for starting a business.
Supporting small businesses with accessibility
Business Without Barriers features a range of free advice and guidance for small business owners and employers to help them become more inclusive and accessible, including Q&As with legal and employment experts, practical tips, and links to further sources of information.
For advice regarding employing disabled workers and people with health conditions, visit: fsb.org.uk/bwb
FSB has also teamed up with Leonard Cheshire to offer a free accessibility audit which can be downloaded from the hub. It helps small business owners to review the accessibility of their premises and see how they can take steps to improve.
Visit: fsb.org.uk/bwb for our accessibility template.
Find stories from successful disabled entrepreneurs, guidance about inclusive employment, and support for making your business more accessible on FSB’s Business Without Barriers hub.
