Disabled entrepreneurs face significant barriers when setting up a business, a report says.
As many as 37 per cent reveal that they have been discriminated against because of their disability.
Figures show that 60 per cent did not get any support when starting their company.
In addition, 84 per cent feel they do not have equal access to the same opportunities and resources as non-disabled founders.
More than 500 disabled entrepreneurs were interviewed for Disability and Entrepreneurship, a report compiled by Small Business Britain and Lloyds Bank.
A key recommendation is that all organisations can help to connect disabled entrepreneurs with mentors to whom they can relate.
The report is based on the lived experiences of disabled founders in the UK.
Other findings include:
– People working in business support need to challenge assumptions and unconscious bias.
– Big business and public sector organisations must champion role models in the disabled community.
– The entrepreneurial experience needs to be re-designed to make it more accessible.
– More equitable, accessible and relevant financing needs to be actively offered to disabled entrepreneurs.
– Funding options should be available for extra equipment and costs incurred by disabled business people.
