Member Article

Disabled firms 'find it hard'

Disabled entrepreneurs are finding it harder to do business now than they were just two or three years ago, according to research by Business Link in London.

The survey found the biggest problem was other people’s attitudes and stereotypes, cited by 63%, followed by a perceived lack of support and training (59%) and personal discrimination (54%). The majority (63%) thought that disabled entrepreneuers faced greater barriers to running a business than able-bodied business owners.

Gary McFarlane, founder of Blue Badge consultancy which provides advice to businesses on meeting the needs of the disabled, said: “Times are changing for the better and while the perception might be that it’s getting harder, the reality is that there is more opportunity than ever.

“With events such as the London 2012 Olympics and Para Olympics fast approaching, there’s no better time for disabled people to make full use of the advice and support that’s out there and do something great in business.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .