Do vocational rehabilitation service providers and SBDCs work together?
Most individuals with significant disabilities will not “walk-in” off the street. Many VR counselors may not have the knowledge, expertise, or the time to provide business start-up services. SBDCs focus on business start up and operation issues. The vocational rehabilitation counselor focuses on how to make self-employment become a reality for the interested party. Therefore, a partnership between VR and a SBDC can be extremely valuable. In Ohio, individuals with disabilities who are interested in pursuing self-employment are referred directly to the SBDC by their vocational rehabilitation counselors. Services are comparable to those offered to anyone with the exception of point of entry and implementation of accommodations if needed. For example the person with disabilities may need assistance with setting up transportation services. However, most often identifying and locating solutions to current and future barriers to business start up and operations are left to the entrepreneur wi
