People with physical disabilities and impairments are underrepresented not only in the workplace setting but also in the startup community. They are often discouraged from starting their own businesses because of their disabilities. The problem is that they also couldn’t find suitable work for their skills because they might have a hard time going to and from the office. Highly skilled but impaired individuals can find a work-from-home setup, but what about those with entrepreneurial skills? Do they waste those skills because of their disabilities?
Starting a business is not only reserved for the physically able. They are actually the perfect opportunity for those with physical disabilities to be financially independent. Someone with a disability who can start a business will be given a chance to generate their own income. Plus, they can hire a nurse or an assistant to help them with their daily activities.
Why Is Now the Best Time to Start a Business for the Physically Disabled?
Today’s business tools and technology will allow even the handicapped to start their own businesses from home or even from a physical office or store if that’s what they want. People with eyesight problems can get smart glasses for the visually impaired. These smart glasses are designed for those with age-related macular degeneration, myopic macular, stroke-related sight loss, corneal opacity, retinal vein occlusion, and many more. People who have tried these smart glasses don’t only see better; they can also function well enough to run a business.
Consider a Home-based Business
The biggest challenge for people with disabilities who want to start their own business is mobility. They can neither drive themselves, nor can they take public transportation. If they can, it will be very challenging for them to do every day. But when you are starting a business, you have to have all hands on deck. That means not missing a single day.
The best alternative is to start the business at home. You will be more comfortable at home because all the tools you need are there. Plus, you can connect with your customers and clients via online marketing, teleconferencing tools, and social media. There’s really no need for those with disabilities to meet clients personally when technology makes it possible to develop a relationship with them and earn their loyalty.
Hire the Right People for Your Business
Whether you have physical impairments or not, it’s important to hire the right people for your business. The right people will help grow your company. They will pour their heart and soul into the business, using their skills to fulfill your vision. When you have physical disabilities, it’s even more critical to have the right people in your employ. They will guide you through the things that you cannot do on your own.
For example, you have to check a warehouse or factory for the production of the items. If you cannot go there on your own, do you have people you trust who can make the right decision? These people should send you feedback while they are there, or they can even make a video call while inspecting the products.
If you are working from home, you can hire remote workers. The business doesn’t need to provide an actual office space for them. You don’t even need to provide them with a laptop and phone line. Remote workers and freelancers invest in these technologies themselves because they need them for the multiple clients that they take on.
Use Online Marketing, SEO, and Social Media
Luckily, businesses today need only an internet connection to the market and advertise themselves. Thanks to search engine optimization, digital marketing, social media, and e-commerce, organizations can run completely online. There’s no need for an office space or a brick-and-mortar store. All you need is a reliable laptop and internet connection.
But that doesn’t mean that you will miss industry events that you can attend virtually, too. When they say no man is an island, that also applies to businesses. No business can survive on its own—even those operating online need to collaborate with other businesses virtually. But your physical disabilities and impairment don’t have to affect these relationships and collaborative efforts. Technology such as hearing aids, smart glasses, and voice-activated devices will help you.
One of the best aspects of living in the 21st century is access to various technology, ranging from contactless systems to artificial intelligence. With these technologies on hand, anything is possible, even for people with physical disabilities and impairments. Hindrances to starting a business are a thing of the past with the right business tools.
