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COPYRIGHT 2005 Pro-Ed
In 1991-1992, the Research and Training Center on Rural Rehabilitation (RTC: Rural) evaluated 45 state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies' policies and procedures regarding self-employment for people with disabilities. Based on this analysis, researchers developed and broadly disseminated a model VR self-employment policy. In 2002, RTC: Rural investigated state policies again to see how they had changed. This article reports the results of that investigation. Overall, current policies are much more positive toward self-employment than previous ones. The number of model policy components addressed has increased from an average of 3.7 components to an average of 6.6 components. Many agencies have developed self-employment programs and published manuals specifically for counselors. The article concludes with policy recommendations and suggests areas for future research.
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Since the mid-1990s, vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies have become more open to self-employment outcomes. This is due to several factors, including federally funded research and demonstration projects, practitioner programs, and legislative changes. National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) self-employment research conducted by the Research and Training Center on Rural Rehabilitation (RTC: Rural) culminated in the development of model self-employment procedures and policy. RTC: Rural researched the use of self-employment as a VR outcome by surveying and interviewing VR counselors and examining state VR agency self-employment policies and procedures (Arnold & Seekins, 1994; Arnold, Ravesloot, & Seekins, 1995; Ravesloot & Seekins, 1996). Influential demonstration projects included the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Choice Projects, which were 5-year projects whose goal was to increase consumer participation and choice within the rehabilitation system. When provided the opportunity to participate in and choose their employment outcome, 20% to 30% of the projects' participants were closed to a self-employment outcome (Collins, 1998; Sullivan & Cooper, 1998; Watson & Herkimer, 1998). RSA also sponsored the self-employment Institute on Rehabilitation Issues Prime Study Group. This group comprised business owners with disabilities, disability professionals, researchers, and business developers who developed a how-to and reference publication for VR agency employees titled XXIV Institute on Rehabilitation Issues: People with Disabilities Developing Self-Employment and Small Business Opportunities (Region VI Rehabilitation Continuing Education Center, 1998).
Influential practitioners included VR agencies in Iowa, Ohio, and Wisconsin, which approached self-employment by combining VR resources with state development agencies or by developing specialized self-employment programs. Working within systems, individuals and community service providers developed self-employment opportunities for people with disabilities. These service providers included self-employment pioneer Randy Brown, a Pennsylvania VR district administrator who developed a microloan program for business owners with disabilities and who developed a business incubator. The Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living developed a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for people with disabilities, which provided technical assistance to other Michigan SBDCs on how to work with people with disabilities and assist them with starting businesses. Urban Miyares, president of the Disabled Businesspersons Association, helps disabled entrepreneurs and professionals maximize their potential in the business world.
The 1998 Reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act probably had the greatest influence on VR agencies, however, because it acknowledged self-employment by specifically naming it as a legitimate employment outcome. Prior to this, self-employment was not considered a competitive employment outcome. The Act also emphasized consumer choice in the rehabilitation process. This empowered people with disabilities to state their preferences for pursuing self-employment outcomes. As acceptance of self-employment for people with disabilities grew over the past 10 years, several VR agencies revised their self-employment policies and procedures. This article describes those changes.
Self-Employment Policies
In 1991-1992, the Research and Training Center on Rural Rehabilitation evaluated self-employment policies and procedures submitted by 45 state general and combined VR agencies; no Agencies for the Blind participated (Arnold & Seekins, 1994). The present study was conducted to compare and contrast self-employment policy and procedures across the agencies. Researchers conducted a content review of the policies consisting of six steps: (a) identified common themes and concepts; (b) discussed and verified themes and concepts with business development experts and vocational administration administrators; (c) cataloged each policy according to the themes and concepts; (d) noted similarities and differences between the policies, which were discussed and verified with VR administrators and business developers; (e) organized the policies according to the persons or groups responsible for accomplishing tasks, which resulted in a 16-component model; and (f) evaluated the utility of the model, re-reviewed business development literature, developed a model based on steps and tasks identified as important for starting a business, and consulted experts in the field to determine the consistency of the identified components as important and necessary for business development.
The following six identified components are congruent with those found in the business development literature:
1. Agency assesses individual's business potential.
2. Individual develops a business idea, explores its feasibility, and conducts a market analysis.
3. Individual obtains needed education or training.
4. Individual obtains technical assistance.
5. Individual develops a business plan.
6. Individual explores and applies for resources from other sources.
Two additional components not found in business development literature, but uncovered during the content analysis, were added because they help ensure the businesses' success and...
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