Disability Employment in Microenterprise

By Dr Claire Hutchinson

Identifying the facilitators, barriers, and outcomes of microenterprise for people with intellectual disabilities

In this project led by Dr Claire Hutchinson, firstly a systematic review of international literature was conducted to identify the facilitators, barriers, and outcomes of self-employment for people with intellectual disabilities. Businesses are often referred to as microenterprises, which is a small business that typically employs 4 people or less.

A qualitative study was then conducted with seven microbusiness owners and 22 other stakeholders. The business owners had diverse businesses, including selling produce, producing furniture and decorative items from recycled timber, and delivering groceries. As well as earning an income, business owners also experienced having a meaningful role, personal/emotional growth, skills development, autonomy, and contributing to their communities.

Publications

Hutchinson, C., Lay, K., Alexander, J. & Ratcliffe, J. (2022). Perspectives on people with intellectual disability as business owners. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 56(2), 149-163. doi: 10.3233/JVR-221179

Hutchinson, C., Lay, K., Alexander, J. & Ratcliffe, J. (2021). People with intellectual disabilities as business owners: A systematic review of peer-reviewed literature, Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 34(2), 459-470, doi: 10.1111/JAR.12836.