Inclusive Ventures: 21st Century Strategies for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
Inclusive Ventures: 21st Century Strategies for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities is a 5-year initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). Launched in October 2024, the program aims to expand inclusive entrepreneurship opportunities and improve supports for people with disabilities pursuing self-employment as competitive integrated employment (CIE).
Who We Support
State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies
Technical assistance to strengthen policies, create tools, and develop procedures for self-employment
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors
Targeted training and support to grow knowledge and confidence in supporting entrepreneurs seeking self-employment as CIE
Community Employment Services
Technical support for providers to increase self-employment as a viable service delivery option
Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs)
Training and support to promote inclusive and accessible services for entrepreneurs with disabilities
Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
Practical strategies, tools, and resources to start, build or grow their businesses
Goals & Objectives
This initiative aims to strengthen support for entrepreneurs with disabilities by enhancing State Vocational Rehabilitation self-employment services, providing direct assistance and training, and engaging Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs) and Direct Service Providers (DSPs). Through collaboration across agencies and robust data collection and evaluation, the program fosters a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Goal 1: Enhance State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (SVRA) self-employment (SE) services
Goal 1: Enhance State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (SVRA) self-employment (SE) services
Objective: Undertake analysis of current SVRA policies and process and develop and implement technical Assistance (TA) agreement
- Outcome: Leadership have increased knowledge of corrective action to improve SE policy and Training for counselors.
- Timeline: Y1: Q 1-4, Y2: Q 1-4, Y3: Q 1-4, Y4: Q 1-4, Y5: Q 1-3
Objective: Develop and deliver TA and training to Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) counselors
- Outcome: Counselors have increased knowledge of SE policies, procedures,and process; increased awareness of SE options and supports; increased self-efficacy to support SE plans; and increased knowledge of impact of public benefits for those who are pursuing SE.
- Timeline: Y1: Q 2-4, Y2: Q 1-4, Y3: Q 1-4, Y4: Q 1-4, Y5: Q 1-3
Goal 2: Provide services for entrepreneurs with disabilities (EWD)
Goal 2: Provide services for entrepreneurs with disabilities (EWD)
Objective: Develop and implement direct services for entrepreneurs with disabilities
- Outcome: Participants have increased wages and earnings, and more participants earn at least minimum wage from business operations.
- Outcome: Effective data and reporting from the CMS
- Timeline: Y1: Q 1-4, Y2: Q 1-4, Y3: Q 1-4, Y4: Q 1-4, Y5: Q 1-3
Objective: Develop and conduct webinars, annual convening, and podcasts
- Outcome: Increased knowledge of participants on business development topics covered in webinars, convening and podcasts
- Outcome: Increased visitors and use of enhanced website and television channel
- Timeline: Y1: Q 1-4, Y2: Q 1-4, Y3: Q 1-4, Y4: Q 1-4, Y5: Q 1-3
Goal 3: Enhance ability of Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs) and Direct Service Providers (DSPs)
to provide services to entrepreneurs with disabilities
Goal 3: Enhance ability of Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs) and Direct Service Providers (DSPs) to provide services to entrepreneurs with disabilities
Objective: Recruit and engage ESOs and DSPs
- Outcome: An increased number of effective (disability and small business knowledgeable) Entrepreneurial ecosystem partners
- Timeline: Y1: Q 3-4, Y2: Q 1-4, Y3: Q 1-4, Y4: Q 1-4, Y5: Q 1-4
Objective: Develop training and provide TA to ESOs and DSPs
- ESOs and DSPs have increased access to tools and resources, and increased the number of individuals served through referral from SVRAs
- Y1: Q 4, Y2: Q 1-4, Y3: Q 1-4, Y4: Q 1-4, Y5: Q 1-4
Goal 4: Promote community and ecosystem integration
Goal 4: Promote community and ecosystem integration
Objective: Increase collaboration across multiple agencies
- Outcome: Utilize the Integrated Resource Team (IRT) model to increase collaborative services to individuals
- Outcome: Increased number of individuals signed up for the monthly newsletter
- Timeline: Y1: Q 2-4, Y2: Q 1-4, Y3: Q 1-4, Y4: Q 1-4, Y5: Q 1-3
Goal 5: Effectively collect and disseminate data as per the evaluation plan
Goal 5: Effectively collect and disseminate data as per the evaluation plan
Objective: Design data collection tools and conduct evaluation and dissemination of findings
- Outcome: Broader evidence base for developing entrepreneurial support practices and policies for individuals with disabilities
- Timeline: Y1: Q 1-4, Y2: Q 1-4, Y3: Q 1-4, Y4: Q 1-4, Y5: Q 1-4
Our Grant Partners
2Gether International
2Gether-International (2GI) empowers entrepreneurs with disabilities through ideation phase incubator cohorts and an internationally recognized 10-week Accelerator Program. The program will provide resources, mentorship, and education to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses and achieve measurable outcomes.
Boston Media
Boston Media will develop software and apps, design, create and curate content, and manage the Disability Owned streaming TV channel.
Ceemo.ai
Ceemo.ai, will provide data-backed branding, marketing, and pitch support for early-stage entrepreneurs with disabilities that is fully WCAG & ADA compliant. Ceemo will help entrepreneurs with disabilities tell their stories, connect with customers, and prepare for funding.
Gallaudet Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute (GIEI)
Gallaudet Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute (GIEI): GIEI was established at Gallaudet University to support Deaf students and alumni to start and grow small businesses. GIEI will offer a training academy that offers entrepreneurs a Deaf-friendly and responsive environment to build small businesses owned by Deaf individuals. The model will improve accessibility for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals at agencies that offer small business development services through education and TA.
Griffin-Hammis Associates
GHA will support VR agencies with reviewing and revising their self-employment service delivery model; reviewing and revising their self-employment policy and procedures; designing and implementing self-employment training and tools to support staff; and supporting their efforts to build self-employment services for VR customers.
Oparos Consulting
“Oparos addresses gaps, and equip entrepreneurs with disabilities to create thriving, flourishing, future-ready business entities by providing direct 1:1 and group coaching services”.
Robert Stensrud
Robert Stensrud (Bob) functions as the external evaluator to the project. Bob is tasked with assessing the effectiveness, the outcomes and overall impact of the project.
TMB Tax and Financial Services
TMB will deliver corporate tax filing information, advisement and filing. They will also provide small business financial literacy and lender matching services. The program guides businesses through achieving key milestones, including: Accurate and compliant business taxes. enhanced financial literacy and business credit management, loan-readiness with all necessary documentation using the Bankably™ platform.
YES LMS
YesLMS will house the project training curriculum that is developed throughout the life of the grant on the YesLMS platform.
YTI Cornell
YTI Cornell will develop courses, webinars and resources for entrepreneurs with disabilities, service providers and benefit planners that provide information and guidance on SSA benefits and self-employment.