Working with Randolph-Sheppard Entrepreneurs who Are Deafblind: A Qualitative Analysis

Abstract

Introduction The purpose of the study was to explore challenges facing deafblind entrepreneurs and the staff who work with them through the Randolph-Sheppard Business Enterprise Program. Methods Interviews were conducted with 41 Randolph-Sheppard staff and deafblind entrepreneurs across the United States. Participants were selected using a snowball sampling procedure. Interviews were conducted by telephone or e-mail, and results were coded to identify overarching themes. Results The top challenge identified among all staff was helping deafblind entrepreneurs interact effectively with customers. Common communication challenges included reliance on third parties and communication that was characterized by repetition and slowness. Although challenges surrounding communication were commonly cited by staff, problems with technology were the most important concerns for the entrepreneurs themselves. Over one-third of respondents (36%) felt deafblindness did not create any unique communication challenges. Common suggestions for program improvement were expanding access to interpreters and training in sign language and tactile interpreting. Discussion Entrepreneurs and staff agreed that many challenges relating to deaf-blindness can be overcome with creativity and determination. One important approach for improving communication is proactively informing customers about the entrepreneur's deafblindness and describing communication strategies. Further research to determine the extent of hearing loss among entrepreneurs in the Randolph-Sheppard program would be beneficial. Implications for practitioners Individuals with deafblindness have demonstrated the ability to take part in the workplace, but challenges remain. Staff who work with these entrepreneurs need to help them address their unique communication needs in a proactive, positive manner.

Follow your dreams? Push and pull motivations of entrepreneurs with disabilities in Hungary

“…Deaf entrepreneurs, for example, need to develop special communication strategies to be effective, while special technology is important in order to be constantly accessible, available and to date (Atkins, 2013). Another, maybe even more disadvantaged group is that of deafblind entrepreneurs where the reliance on outside help to communicate is even more significant (Hierholzer and Bybee, 2017).…”

Vaktában vállalkozni? – fogyatékossággal élő vállalkozók a hazai munkaerőpiacon

“…A nem akadálymentes információtechnológiai rendszerek (Dhar & Farzana, 2017), vagy a fejletlen infrastrukturális, infokommunikációs környezet (pl. a fizikai hozzáférés vagy a megfelelő szoftverek hiánya) különösen vak vagy siket emberek számára lehetnek szignifikáns gátak (Hierholzer & Bybee, 2017;Atkins, 2013).…”

“…A női vállalkozókról szóló nemzetközi tanulmányok rámutatnak, hogy a nők motivációi, korlátai és a hagyományos nemi szerepek figyelembevétele a vállalkozások alternatív értelmezését is adhatják (Essers & Benschop, 2015), azaz izgalmas téma lehet fogyatékossággal élő vállalkozónők vizsgálata. Egy másik irány az egyes fogyatékossági típusok mentén való gondolkodás, például a siket vagy siketvak vállalkozókkal kapcsolatos kutatások (Hierholzer & Bybee, 2017). Egy további lehetséges kutatási téma a fogyatékossággal élő vállalkozók identitása, illetve az, hogy karrierválasztásuk és üzleti-munkahelyi sikerük hogyan függ össze a pozitív vállalkozói énkép kialakításával (Baldridge & Kulkarni, 2017).…”

Long and winding road?

“…Vocational rehabilitation agents may not have the business knowledge for mentoring or enabling enterprises of EWD (Pagán, 2009), or governmental policy (both entrepreneurship-development initiatives and disability-related) may be too general and not supportive enough to handle the problems of special groups (Miller and Le Breton-Miller, 2016). Also, inaccessible information systems (Dhar and Farzana, 2017) or underdeveloped technological support systems (lack of physical accessibility or proper software and applications for blind or deaf people) could be important barriers (Hierholzer and Bybee, 2017;Atkins, 2013).…”