People with learning disabilities and microenterprise

Abstract

Purpose

This work aims to examine the outcomes for people with learning disabilities who run microenterprises, and consider how microenterprise might provide an alternative to day centre, training provision, conventional volunteering, or paid employment.

Design/methodology/approach

Views were sought from entrepreneurs with learning disabilities, support workers, health and social care professionals, and family members to understand what worked and what didn’t work, and to consider if microenterprises are a viable alternative to more traditional activities for people with learning disabilities.

Findings

The report will contribute to the body of knowledge that exists in this field, and is executed with a view to sharing best practice.

Research limitations/implications

Whilst the report sought to investigate all aspects of people with a learning disability working in a microenterprise, the authors recognise that there is a tendency in such cases for only those with a positive experience to come forward.

Practical implications

This paper explores and examines the barriers to enterprise and how learning‐disabled entrepreneurs can best be supported to achieve success.

Social implications

For all those people identified, starting and running a microenterprise has led to improved quality of life and this has been achieved generally without additional costs.

Originality/value

The authors understand that this is the first research of its kind in the UK that assesses how microenterprise can work for people with learning disabilities.

Citation

Reddington, T. and Fitzsimons, J. (2013), "People with learning disabilities and microenterprise", Tizard Learning Disability Review, Vol. 18 No. 3, pp. 124-131. https://doi.org/10.1108/TLDR-02-2013-0013