Self-employment within the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program refers to supporting individuals with disabilities who pursue business ownership, microenterprise, or independent work as their employment outcome when entrepreneurship aligns with their skills, interests, and informed choice and is identified through the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) as a pathway to competitive integrated employment.
Self-employment is one pathway to competitive integrated employment for individuals with disabilities and may include small business ownership, independent contracting, or other entrepreneurial activities.
VR agencies may support individuals pursuing self-employment by assisting with:
- Business feasibility assessments
- Development and review of business plans
- Training and skill development
- Assistive technology and equipment
- Connections to community business development resources
These services are provided as part of an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) when self-employment is identified as the appropriate employment outcome based on the individual’s strengths, priorities, abilities, interests, and informed choice.
Through technical assistance, resources, and peer learning opportunities, VRTAC supports VR counselors, supervisors, and agency leadership in strengthening policies, practices, and partnerships that help individuals pursue business ownership and self-employment as competitive integrated employment outcomes.
Business Enterprise Programs (BEP)
Business Enterprise Programs provide opportunities for individuals who are blind or visually impaired to operate vending facilities and other small businesses on State and Federal property through the Randolph-Sheppard Act.
Under this program, State Licensing Agencies recruit, train, license, and support individuals who operate vending facilities that may include snack bars, cafeterias, and other food service operations.
These programs represent one of the longest-standing Federal initiatives supporting business ownership among individuals who are blind.
Rural Access and Remote Work Opportunities
Self-employment and remote work opportunities may expand employment options for individuals living in rural and frontier communities where traditional employment opportunities may be limited.
Transportation barriers, long travel distances to employment centers, limited public transit, and regional labor market constraints may affect employment participation. Flexible employment arrangements, remote work opportunities, and small business development can provide additional pathways for individuals seeking employment aligned with their skills and local economic opportunities.
In many rural and frontier communities, access to reliable broadband, satellite internet services such as Starlink, smartphones, and assistive technology can play an important role in enabling remote work and home-based business operations. These technologies can help reduce geographic barriers and expand opportunities for individuals with disabilities pursuing telework or self-employment.
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