Road to Self-Sufficiency: A Guide to Entrepreneurship for Youth with Disabilities

Introduction

The Road to Self-Sufficiency: A Guide to Entrepreneurship for Youth with Disabilities was developed to serve as a resource for organizations working with youth on career exploration and employment options, and policymakers who support youth programs through policy and practice.  The Guide shows how entrepreneurship education can be implemented in programs and offers suggestions on how to introduce self-employment as an option  for all youth, including youth with disabilities.

The Guide presents an overview of entrepreneurship and describes why entrepreneurship education is relevant today.  It also examines entrepreneurship education programs and different activities that can be incorporated in those programs.  It also includes a detailed description on how the National Content Standards and the Guideposts for Success framework can drive entrepreneur programming. 

The Guideposts for Success, developed by the NCWD/Youth in collaboration with the U. S. Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), is a comprehensive framework that identifies what all youth, including youth with disabilities, need to succeed during the critical transition years to adulthood.  The organizational strategies provided in this Guide fall within each Guidepost.

Additionally, The Road to Self-Sufficiency: A Guide to Entrepreneurship for Youth with Disabilities identifies legislation that supports entrepreneurial activities for youth with disabilities.  It also describes the importance of accommodations in providing inclusive entrepreneurial programs.  And, it depicts the significance of financial planning and financial options for people with disabilities. 

A set of appendices with valuable resources and references is also included, as well as a useful Glossary of Terms.

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Introduction, Acknowledgements, and Preface
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Chapter 1 Introduction: Background On Entrepreneurship
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Chapter 2 Entrepreneurship: Developing Successful Programs And Strategies
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Chapter 3 Additional Considerations For Youth With Disabilities
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Appendix A Resource Section On Entrepreneurship And Small Business
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Appendix B References
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Appendix C Glossary Of Terms
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NCWD/Youth publications can be downloaded for free from this website. Multiple copies can be purchased by contacting the Collaborative at contact@ncwd-youth.info.