Dan Williams, founding director of Visualise Training and Consultancy, looks at the benefits of self-employment for people with disabilities.
In twenty-fourteen, I walked into the Job Centre with determination and ambition. Despite having a disability, I was ready to work and start my own business. Instead of encouragement, I was met with a surprising attitude: “You don’t have to work.” This wasn’t the motivation or support I was looking for. Instead, it felt like I was being pigeonholed—told to stay on benefits rather than pursue the career and flexibility I knew I could achieve.
This experience wasn’t unique. Many people with disabilities face systemic barriers when it comes to employment and, particularly, self-employment. The back-to-work system often focuses heavily on traditional employment, but for those of us with disabilities, self-employment offers a level of flexibility that conventional jobs simply can’t match. It allows us to manage our schedules, adapt our work environments, and create careers that work around our unique circumstances.
Yet, the support for self-employment is severely lacking. Funding for starting a business is limited, and back-to-work programs prioritise quick, measurable outcomes—like placing someone in a job—over long-term solutions like helping someone build their own business. Resources like mentorship, business development training, and micro-grants could make a significant difference but are rarely part of the equation.
Looking back, what I needed most was connection and encouragement. Meeting other disabled entrepreneurs who had built successful businesses would have been invaluable. Seeing what’s possible and learning from those who’ve walked a similar path could have broken down so many mental and practical barriers. Instead, I was left feeling like my ambition didn’t fit within the system.
It’s time to change the narrative. Self-employment isn’t a last resort or a niche option—it’s a powerful path that should be supported, especially for people with disabilities. Governments and organisations need to allocate more resources, provide mentorship opportunities, and actively promote self-employment as a viable and empowering option.
For me, pushing past those barriers was tough, but it was worth it. Sharing stories like mine and advocating for better support could pave the way for others to pursue their dreams without feeling boxed in by the system. Let’s start the conversation, break the barriers, and create a more inclusive future for everyone.
To find out more about my self-employment journey, visit https://visualisetrainingandconsultancy.com/us