SBA stands for the Small Business Administration. It was developed back in the 1950s to provide the American labor pool with the resources needed to "start, build and grow businesses." Throughout the years the SBA has provided entrepreneurs with grants and loans. Today however, this government agency specializes in providing information and connecting entrepreneurs with third party resources as opposed to providing direct financing for businesses, although a few SBA grant programs still exist.
The SBA and PWDsIf you are a person who has a disability you may be discouraged to learn that the SBA doesn't have a special program dedicated to helping PWDs. However, they do have a huge network of resource providers that can help you find the resources and assistance that you need to start a business, as well as special legal initiatives to help you hurdle obstacles that you may face in your quest to start a new business.
SBA Disability InitiativesThe most important SBA initiative that you will want to familiarize yourself with is the ADA, or the Americans with Disabilities Act. This act will protect your rights to equal access to financing, insurance, bonding and assistance while you start, build and grow your business. The SBA has a 15-page pamphlet on this act which you can download from the "SBA" Web site for free.
Small Business and Self-Employment for People with DisabilitiesOne of the resources recommended by the SBA for people with disabilities is the Small Business and Self-Employment for People with Disabilities organization. This organization has a great network of resources that PWDs can use to find technical assistance, to find financing assistance and to find individual assistance. You can tap the resources offered by this organization by calling them at 1-800-526-7234 or by visiting their Web site.
Start-Up Grants Recommended by the SBAThe "SBA" Web site is a valuable resource that you will want to use when looking for financing to start-up your business. You can find a great listing of grants on their "Financial Assistance" page. Here you will find links to grants offered by all sorts of federal government agencies including the Department of Education, the Department of Justice and from the Welfare to Work Program. To find a grant that is right for your business you will need to search through the grant databases hosted by each department or by using the "Grants.gov" database search tool.
Special Programs Offered by the SBAWhile there isn't a specific PWD program that you can work with when starting up a business, there are several other special programs offered by the SBA that you may be able to tap. If you are a woman with a disability then there are several SBA programs aimed at developing businesses owned by women. On the other hand, if you are a veteran with a disability, then the SBA offers several special programs for you as well. Your final option is to take advantage of the SBA programs developed for Opportunity Gaps. These programs target minorities and people with disabilities qualify as a minority.
How to Tap SBA ResourcesThe best way to tap SBA resources is to first familiarize yourself with what the agency has to offer. You can do this by touring their Web site and/or by visiting your local SBA office. After you know what your options are you will want to look for ways to use your special status as a person with a disability to your advantage. For example, while searching for a grant, include the word "disability" in your keyword search. This will help you identify grant programs that offer preferential treatment to entrepreneurs with a disability. You can also use your experience as a person with a disability to establish yourself as an expert on accessibility and employment issues for people with disabilities. This can be a huge advantage when competing for a grant designed to increase awareness or employment opportunities for this demographic of people.
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