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Untapped Economic Value Of Disabled Entrepreneurs

Research identifies potential economic benefit of over £2 billion

A report published today, (June 27, 2008) investigating the economic value of disabled entrepreneurs in the Northwest of England, reveals that bringing more disabled people into the business arena, could have a net benefit of combined public expenditure savings and better productivity totalling over £339 million or over a third of a billion pounds in the Northwest alone. Considered nationally, the economic benefit to the country could potentially be over £2.1 billion .

‘Wealth Bringers – The Sustainable Value of Disabled Entrepreneurs in England’s Northwest’, written by a research team led by Professor Erik Bichard from the University of Salford and sponsored by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), is aiming to focus attention and encourage better, more direct support for this productive group of people.

The report, which is the second Wealth Bringers publication, shows that disabled entrepreneurs represent an untapped source of innovation and productivity, providing they are recognised and offered the appropriate resources.

Statistics found by the Wealth Bringers team suggest that there are potentially 14,000 prospective disabled entrepreneurs in the region whom, given the right amount of assistance and encouragement, would be interested in setting up their own businesses.

However, the report also suggests that there are barriers which make it too difficult for disabled people to engage in business enterprise. Wealth Bringers finds that the marginalisation of disabled people in relation to self-employment and entrepreneurship is more extensive than realised and there is a lack of any significant focus on the value of disabled entrepreneurs in economic policy.

There are widely differing definitions of disability currently in use and one of the recommendations of the report is to inform policy makers. The call is for policy makers to formally and actively adopt the more constructive approach or ‘social interpretation of disability’ which frames disability in a wider social context, and for rejection of the dominant, medical, individualised interpretation, which looks at disability simply in terms of the individual.

The report’s findings suggest that business support agencies need to do more to promote self-employment and entrepreneurship among disabled people.

Professor Erik Bichard, author of the report, says: “The findings of this report support the view that a sustainable society is one that not only recognises, but also celebrates and values the diversity of its citizens. The report provides evidence to help policy makers and programme managers to take particular interest in providing support for start-up propositions and continued business advice for an existing group of people that could swell into a significant economic force, given the right conditions.”

Interviews were conducted with Northwest-based disabled entrepreneurs as part of the research carried out for the Wealth Bringers report. Findings show that disabled people often experience discrimination in employment and that the majority choose self-employment as a way of gaining greater control and flexibility in their lives. The report includes the experiences of four individuals who have successfully established their own businesses.

Mark Hughes, executive director of enterprise and skills at the Northwest Regional Development Agency, said: “This report shows the determination, success and creativity of disabled people, developing and running businesses in the Northwest. The NWDA recognises disabled people as a proud and resourceful group with a great deal to offer the economic and social growth of the Northwest. We have much to learn from disabled people themselves about the required changes to systems, practices and perhaps most importantly, culture, to remove barriers to entrepreneurship in order to make the Northwest a truly inclusive region where all can contribute to wealth creation.”

The NWDA is currently producing its first Single Equality Scheme, which will prioritise a number of key areas. These include delivering learning and awareness programmes to all parts of the agency, including Business Link.

Julie Ryder, founder of HearFirst Deaf and Disability Awareness Training, and TalkFirst Baby Signing, features in the report. She says: “There needs to be more awareness from providers of support and a deeper understanding of people’s needs. While specialist services have their place, mainstream services need to be accessible to all.”


Photo:
Professor Erik Bichard

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