U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen and U.S. Senator Mike Braun have introduced the bipartisan Supporting Disabled Entrepreneurs Act, aimed at providing support and resources for disabled individuals looking to start and expand their own small businesses. The legislation directs the Small Business Administration (SBA) to designate a Coordinator for Disabled Small Business Concerns and collect voluntary data on the disability status of small business owners participating in SBA programs.
Senator Shaheen, Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, emphasized the importance of equal access to SBA programs for disabled entrepreneurs, stating, "Through this bipartisan legislation, we will help them access the necessary resources to start and expand their small businesses." She further added, "Innovators who are disabled deserve equal access to SBA programs that can support their dreams of owning and operating a successful business. I'm proud to introduce this important legislation that reaffirms our support and opens the door to opportunity."
Thomas Foley, Executive Director of the National Disability Institute, acknowledged the growing number of working-age adults with disabilities who are turning to small business ownership as a means of economic stability and participation in the country's economic growth. He emphasized the need for support and resources to match the potential and ambition of small business owners with disabilities.
According to a report by the National Disability Institute, there are approximately 1.8 million individuals with disabilities who are business owners in the United States. Entrepreneurship offers an alternative path to traditional employment for individuals with disabilities, who often face unique obstacles in the job market. However, several barriers persist for this community in starting and growing their own businesses, including a lack of targeted assistance and outdated attitudinal norms.
To address these barriers, the Supporting Disabled Entrepreneurs Act outlines three key provisions. First, it directs the SBA to establish a Coordinator for Disabled Small Business Concerns within the agency. This coordinator will focus on ensuring that disabled entrepreneurs have the necessary support and resources to succeed in their ventures. Second, the legislation calls for the collection of voluntary demographic data on disability status from program applicants. This data will help identify the participation of disabled entrepreneurs in SBA programs and inform future initiatives. Lastly, the bill requires the SBA to publish data on the participation of disabled entrepreneurs in their programs, increasing transparency and accountability.
The National Council on Disability (NCD), an independent federal advisory agency, has confirmed that the Supporting Disabled Entrepreneurs Act aligns with their prior advisement. The bill has garnered widespread support from organizations such as the National Disability Institute, 2Gether-International, Gallaudet University and the Gallaudet Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute, Disability:IN, American Association of People with Disabilities, National Down Syndrome Congress, National Federation of the Blind, Prosperity Now, National Small Business Association, America's Small Business Development Center Network, Association of Women's Business Centers, Association for Enterprise Opportunity, Melwood, Alliance for Expanding America's Workforce, UNH Institute on Disability, and Disability Rights Center - NH.
The introduction of the Supporting Disabled Entrepreneurs Act marks a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for disabled individuals in the business world. By providing targeted assistance and collecting data on disability status, this legislation aims to break down barriers and empower disabled entrepreneurs to succeed in their ventures.
For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.sbc.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=374C0BF5-1947-4CC6-B976-636BEFE8709F
