Supporting Job Seekers in Entrepreneurship

Posted on September 30, 2025 by dbanda

Competitive integrated employment looks different for each job seeker. Many people may not, for varying reasons, want to pursue traditional wage employment with a community-based employer. Entrepreneurship offers one alternative. Self-employment means a business owner earns money working for themselves rather than for an employer who pays hourly or salaried wages.

Self-employment includes various business structures, such as independent contractors, sole proprietors, or partnerships, each with its own pros and cons.

A waist-up portrait of a teenage girl with a prosthetic arm sewing clothes in an inclusive atelier workshop copy.

Being self-employed demands a high level of expertise in a specific industry or service area. To succeed as your own boss, an individual needs a solid understanding of tax laws, support from family and friends, an effective marketing strategy, comprehensive research, start-up funding, and sales forecasting, among other important factors. An employment services program offered through a community rehabilitation provider can be another layer of support for the would-be entrepreneur.

Self-employment, according to the Office of Disability Employment Policy, is considered customized employment. As such, entrepreneurship gives job seekers autonomy and additional choices, including work hours, weekly schedules, tasks to complete, and potential earnings.

The Nuts and Bolts Reality

If self-employment is the vocational goal for anyone supported through employment services, there are a few nuts and bolts to understand:

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) can support individuals in attaining self-employment. However, there are structured processes and expectations established by VR. As the provider of choice, it is your responsibility to educate everyone involved (job seekers, guardians, employment services staff, family, etc.) relative to VR requirements. Start your self-education by exploring VR’s Self-Employment Guide. Ensure the job seeker and their support team are aware of VR expectations and responsibilities.
Self-employment is not to be taken lightly. Nor is it a ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ proposition. Social Security beneficiaries should understand that self-employment earnings must be reported to the Social Security Administration (SSA), as well as on their annual tax returns. Effectively managing expected earnings should be strategically planned as a crucial part of the overall business strategy. SSA treats self-employment earnings differently from wage employment.
VR also offers free benefits counseling for anyone considering self-employment. Benefits counseling provides critical information about how earned income may impact benefits, including Medicaid, Medicare, and other government-provided assistance. Self-employment planning should not be completed without a benefits analysis.
To achieve successful self-employment, it is essential to create a roadmap, commonly referred to as a business plan. Some entities, including those contracted through VR, offer business development assistance. Many are listed in the resource section below.

Minimally, the business plan should include:

- An executive summary
- Company description
- Product/service description
- Market analysis
- Marketing and sales strategy
- Financial planning, typically with a 5-year forecast
- Operations description
- Identification of start-up funding required

Who can help you become self-employed?

Supporting a job seeker towards self-employment should never be done in isolation. Having a team of supportive people is important. Contacting your local VR is an excellent first step. Work collaboratively with the job seeker and VR counselor to identify key individuals, then begin seeking their guidance and active assistance. VR can assist aspiring entrepreneurs to develop a business plan, prepare for a business launch, receive benefits counseling, and provide start-up funding.

A businesswoman with a disability pointing at flipchart with strategy and presenting her report during a meeting at the office.

Individuals delivering Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) serve as an additional source of support. These providers can assist students by providing a few service activities related to entrepreneurship. Community-based entities, such as the Small Business Development Corporation or the Senior Corps of Retired Executives, available in specific counties, also provide consultations.

Resources

Navigating Self-Employment Through Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation

Posted on September 1, 2025 by dbanda

CCLC would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Ima Abbott, our guest writer for this month. As the Manager of Program Initiatives at Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), her remarkable expertise and dedication to helping Hoosiers find their path to entrepreneurship is truly impressive. Please take a moment to read the valuable insights she has so generously shared in this issue.

Indiana VR recognizes that the path to meaningful employment takes many forms. For some individuals, traditional employment may not be the ideal fit, and self-employment or business ownership emerges as a viable and empowering alternative. Understanding how to effectively guide participants through this complex process is essential to VR’s practices.

Understanding the Spectrum of Self-Employment

When working with participants interested in self-employment, it’s crucial to recognize that not all self-employment opportunities are created equal. In Indiana, for example, VR makes important distinctions between individuals who work as 1099 contracted employees for a single employer—such as rideshare drivers or delivery workers—and those who aspire to operate their own independent business enterprises.

A young Asian entrepreneur works with two business advisors in office workplace.

This distinction matters significantly because the complexity and support needs vary dramatically between these two paths. While contracted work often involves following established protocols and schedules set by the contracting company, true business ownership requires individuals to make comprehensive operational decisions. Business owners must determine their hours of operation, establish pricing strategies for their products or services, and develop strategic marketing plans to reach their target demographic.

The Foundation: Vocational Guidance and Counseling

The journey toward self-employment should always begin with thorough vocational guidance and counseling. This initial phase involves collaborative discussions between the participant and their Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) to explore the individual’s business concept, whether it’s public speaking, custom sign and décor creation, independent auto repair, or any other entrepreneurial venture.

During these foundational conversations, VR assesses whether the participant’s employment goal involving self-employment aligns appropriately with their unique strengths, available resources, personal priorities, potential concerns, demonstrated abilities, current capabilities, and genuine interests. This comprehensive evaluation ensures that we’re not simply supporting a participant’s initial enthusiasm but rather helping them pursue a path that offers realistic potential for success and sustainability.

Deepening the Exploration Process

When both the counselor and participant feel that additional exploration is warranted, the next step involves providing the participant with a Self-Employment Questionnaire. This tool serves as a catalyst for brainstorming and research, encouraging participants to delve deeper into their business concept and consider practical aspects they may not have initially contemplated.

The questionnaire prompts discussions around several critical areas, including potential certification requirements that may be necessary for their chosen industry, relevant regulations they’ll need to understand and comply with, and the value of conducting informational interviews with established business owners in the same field. Additionally, it encourages participants to honestly assess potential barriers they may experience related to their disability and develop strategies for addressing these challenges.

For both participants and counselors seeking additional resources, the Vocational Rehabilitation Self-Employment Guide website provides valuable information for individuals interested in small business ownership and the professionals who support them throughout the exploration process.

Professional Technical Assistance

The insights gained through vocational guidance and counseling serve as the foundation for any technical assistance and consultation VR provides through Small Business Consultation vendors. These specialized services encompass conducting thorough feasibility analyses to determine the viability of the proposed business concept, developing comprehensive business plans that address all aspects of the venture, and providing ongoing guidance throughout the business implementation phase.

This technical assistance phase transforms the initial business concept into a concrete, actionable plan. Participants work with experienced consultants who understand both the entrepreneurial landscape and the unique considerations that may arise when supporting individuals with disabilities in their business endeavors.

The Business Review Process

Once a participant has developed their comprehensive business plan with the support of VR consultation vendors or independently, they have the opportunity to present their concept to the business review committee. This committee brings together diverse perspectives, including VR staff members, the participant’s existing support team, and respected members of the local business community.

Volunteers from the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) frequently participate in these meetings, bringing decades of real-world business experience and providing invaluable input to the participants VR works with. Their involvement adds credibility to the review process and offers participants access to seasoned mentorship that extends beyond formal VR services.

Potential Outcomes and Next Steps

Following the business plan presentation, participants can expect one of three potential outcomes. The business plan may receive full approval, allowing the participant to move forward with implementation support from VR services. Alternatively, the plan may require specific revisions, in which case the participant will have the opportunity to address the identified concerns and resubmit their revised plan for consideration. In some cases, the business plan may not receive support from VR, and participants will receive clear explanations for this decision.

It’s important to emphasize to participants that self-employment and business ownership involve significant hard work and require a collaborative effort to achieve success and long-term self-sustainability. Success in entrepreneurship demands dedication, resilience, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining focus on their ultimate goals.

Building a Foundation for Success

For participants who feel confident that self-employment or business ownership aligns with their goals and capabilities, VR encourages them to begin exploring additional resources and accessing free training opportunities. Organizations such as SCORE and the Indiana Small Business Development Center (ISBDC) offer valuable programs designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs establish essential supports and prepare for the demanding work involved in business ownership.

These partnerships extend VR’s capacity to serve participants effectively while connecting them with broader entrepreneurial communities that can provide ongoing support throughout their business journey. By facilitating these connections, VR helps ensure that participants have access to resources and mentorship that extend well beyond their formal involvement with VR services.

A young Asian entrepreneur works with two business advisors in office workplace. He is drafting a business plan.

The Professional Perspective

VR professionals believe that business ownership goes beyond simply facilitating access to services. These professionals serve as guides, advocates, and realistic vocational counselors who help participants navigate the complex landscape of entrepreneurship while maintaining focus on their individual strengths and addressing disability-related considerations.

The process requires patience, thorough assessment, and a commitment to supporting participants through both the exciting possibilities and challenging realities of business ownership.

Success in this area requires ongoing professional development, strong partnerships with business consultation services, and a deep understanding of both the entrepreneurial landscape and the unique needs of the individuals VR serves. By maintaining this comprehensive approach, VR can effectively support participants in achieving their employment goals while building sustainable, fulfilling careers.

Nailing the Interview: How to Prep Like a Pro

Posted on July 31, 2025 by jgfugate

Let’s be real, job interviews can be nerve-wracking for anyone. But for individuals with disabilities, they can come with extra layers of anxiety, uncertainty, and questions like: Should I disclose? What if I need accommodations? What if I freeze up?

That’s where you come in. As a provider, you’re not just a coach, you’re a confidence builder, a translator of strengths, and sometimes even a hype squad. Below, we’ve outlined five steps you can use to help clients walk into interviews feeling ready, capable, and empowered.

A professionally dressed man is smiling and speaking during a meeting or job interview. He sits at a table across from three people, one of whom is taking notes. Laptops, notepads, and glasses of water are on the table, with a whiteboard in the background.

Step 1: Set the Stage (and the Mindset)

Before diving into interview questions, start with a shift in mindset. Remind your client that this isn’t just about impressing someone, it’s about finding the right fit. That takes the pressure off and helps them focus on being authentic.

Tip: Use storytelling to create a personal pitch. Help clients turn their experiences into short, powerful stories that show off their skills. Think: “I solved a problem,” “I helped a team,” or “I learned something new.”

Step 2: Discuss Disclosure and Accommodations

Disclosure is personal. Some clients may want to share their disability; others may not. Either way, practice how to talk about it if they choose to. Keep it simple, strengths-based, and focused on what they can do.

Example: “I use a screen reader to navigate digital tools, which helps me work efficiently and stay organized.”

Tip: Use resources already available to help your client script a disclosure, like this article from the Career One Stop website. Before reviewing with your client, look over the materials yourself to be better prepared to explain them in everyday language.

Step 3: Practice the Basics (But Make It Fun)

Interviews are all about showcasing the best version of the interviewee. Communication, whether verbal or nonverbal, should be authentic and natural. But that doesn’t mean it should be off-the-cuff.

Tip: Research the company and prepare one or two questions to ask during the interview. This will help the client to understand the workplace, the job, and expectations – and it’s sure to impress the interviewer.

Step 4: Try it for (Almost) Real

Set up a full mock interview. Use a different room. Dress up. Pretend you’re the hiring manager. Record it (with permission!) so your client can watch and reflect. Interviews don’t have to be scary; make it a game. Time their answers. Throw in a curveball question. Use props. The goal is to build comfort, not perfection.

Afterward, give feedback like a sandwich: Positive → Constructive → Positive.
You could say something like: “You explained your strengths well. Let’s work on slowing down your speech a bit. I loved how you smiled at the end!”

Tip: Use a role-play app like Google’s Interview Warmup.

Step 5: Celebrate the Wins

Even if it’s just making it through a mock interview without freezing up, celebrate it. Use positive language that sticks, like “You really owned that answer!” or “I saw your confidence grow today.”

Find a win:

A cheerful man sitting at a desk gives a high five to a woman across from him, both smiling. Another woman nearby watches and smiles. They are in a bright, modern office setting with a laptop and desktop monitors visible in the background.

Break down the job description and, with them, check off the requirements they have already achieved.
Set times to meet. Acknowledge when they arrive on time and prepared.
Create ways for them to have a ‘small victory’ during the prep sessions.

Tip: Reflect on the wins by asking about them. Ask questions like “What would you like to try next?” or “What were you most proud of?” and use that feedback to continue positive growth.

Bonus Quick Tips:

Create a cheat sheet with client strengths or stories as well as questions to ask the employer.
Practice small talk. It’s often overlooked but can be the hardest part!
Give positive feedback, too – don’t assume they know how good they are at what they are doing.
Scripted answers aren’t natural. Focus more on the gist of the answer than on how well it matches a script.
Switch it up! Ask a co-worker to be the interviewer. This allows the client to put their skills to the test with someone they might not be familiar with.
Build your interview prep skills even more with CCLC’s online learning opportunities like Employment Consultant Training or Developing Natural Supports.

Remember, you don’t need to turn your client into a perfect interviewee. You just need to help them feel seen, heard, and ready to show up as their best self. With your support, they’re not just preparing for an interview; they’re preparing for a future full of possibilities.

Resumes and Cover Letters

Posted on June 30, 2025 by dbanda

“You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.”- Will Rogers

A young woman talking to a manager at a table and job interview while she examines her resume. A well-crafted resume and cover letter are essential for creating a strong first impression. Share the ideas below with job seekers or use them to make an impressive presentation to a potential employer.

The Resume

Sell Your Skills: Begin with a power-packed professional summary highlighting your job skills. Keep it short – about three to four sentences – but fill those sentences with details about your fantastic work experience.

Choose Action-Packed Verbs: Use action verb lists to enhance your resume and prevent the repetition of words. If achievements are listed under each job, use the verb’s past tense for previously held roles and the present tense for the current role.

Develop a Skill Set List: A bulleted list of six to eight skills, including hard (technical or task-related) and soft skills (interpersonal traits), provides a complete picture. You want to show a prospective employer what you can bring to a company.

Tailor the Resume for the Job: The employer seeks candidates who fit the job description. Select key skills from the job description that match your skills and use those phrases in your resume. The employer will notice you have paid attention to the position’s requirements and possess the required job skills.

Remember the Basics

Contact Information: Include your name, phone number, professional email address, city, state, and zip code at the top of the resume. Social media addresses are sometimes listed as well.
Education: List your education in order, placing the most recent first. Note any diplomas/certifications, including the date they were obtained (month and year at minimum), along with the name of the institution and its city and state. If no degree was obtained, list dates of attendance in the month and year format.
Experience: Record each job, the employer’s address, and dates of employment. For a current job, the ending date can be listed as ‘present.’ Those who have changed careers frequently may consider omitting dates of employment and may want their jobs listed near the end of the resume. Start by showcasing your skills and accomplishments.
Formatting: Choose an easy-to-read font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in the size 10 or 12 with no less than 0.5 inch margins. Try to keep it to one page, and if sending it electronically, use PDF format unless stated otherwise. Decide what type of resume – chronological (highlighting employment first), functional (highlighting skills first), or hybrid (highlighting both, like a split format on the page) – will look best. Scrolling through these samples may help you decide how you want your resume to look. Keep any bolding, underlining, bulleting, tabbing, and spacing consistent throughout the document.

The Cover Letter

A good cover letter expands your resume and tailors your skills to the job posting. Cover letters typically follow the following format: A job candidate is focused on taking notes and reviewing essential documents while sitting at a spacious desk in a contemporary office setting.

Contact Information: Start with a professional letterhead. This should include your full name, phone number, and email address.
Date: Include the date you are sending the letter.
Prospective Employer’s Contact Information: Below the date, list the company name, address, email, and phone number.
Personalized Greeting: Try to address your letter to a specific individual. Use “Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name]” or “Dear [First Name] [Last Name].” If you can’t find a name, “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable. Avoid “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam.” Conclude your greeting with a colon.
Introductory Paragraph: This paragraph hooks the reader, explains how the applicant discovered the available position, and states why the applicant is the ideal candidate for the position.
Body Paragraph: This section is where candidates connect unique experiences and skills to the job requirements. Instead of merely repeating the resume, a candidate can provide specific examples of abilities, problems solved, and achieved results. This demonstrates how serious an individual is about the application.
Closing Paragraph: This paragraph should reiterate a strong interest in the position and summarize key qualifications in the letter. Conclude by politely requesting an interview to discuss the application and job opportunity further.
Professional Closing: End your letter with a formal closing such as “Sincerely” or “Regards.” Below this, type your name and sign in ink or with an electronic signature.

Remember the Basics

You should include one-inch margins along all sides, have single-spacing, and left-aligning text with a space between each paragraph. At the end, leave at least three spaces between the closing paragraph and the typed name, so there is room for a signature. Limit the letter to one page. If a letter is too long, you may lose an employer’s interest and get passed over. Review the sample cover letters to gather ideas for professional-looking cover letters.

Using the suggestions above, you and your job seekers can create a strong first impression that will impress employers. It may seem overwhelming, but putting together documents that stand out above all the others is well worth it when you hear, “You’re hired!”

Getting Started with Charting the LifeCourse

Posted on June 2, 2025 by wausbrook

As an employment consultant or disability services professional, you may be aware of different processes for person-centered planning. In person-centered planning, a person with a disability identifies their strengths, goals, needs, and desired outcomes for their life and future. They do this with a group of people they choose to help them, but they remain the ultimate decision-maker.

Charting the LifeCourse is a type of person-centered planning with many different tools and applications. It is founded on the core belief that “All people have the right to live, love, work, play, and pursue their own life aspirations.” The tools are focused on assisting people to develop a vision and plan to live their “best life,” and the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration has a webpage dedicated to Person-Centered Planning through the LifeCourse.

The Institute for Human Development at the University of Missouri–Kansas City developed Charting the LifeCourse for people with disabilities and their families to assist with planning across the lifespan. This process has expanded to include various applications, such as planning for goals beyond disability and involving family members.

Foundational Charting the LifeCourse Tools

Visit the LifeCourse Person-Centered Foundational Tools page and scroll down to the “Getting Started” section to download any or all of the following tools listed below.

Life Vision

The tool focuses on visions and priorities in various life domains, including:

Daily Life and Employment
Community Living
Social and Spirituality
Advocacy and Engagement
Healthy Living
Safety and Security
Supports for Family
Supports and Services

These visions and priorities can then be integrated into other tools, such as the Trajectory for Planning.

Trajectory for Planning

A hand holding a pen and listing numbers one to nine under the title "Goals."

This tool helps individuals identify the steps to achieve their “good life.” It provides space to outline what they want and what they do not want. It provides room to explore past experiences that have drawn them closer to their goals and those that have drawn them away. This helps the person identify what they need to move towards their goal.

Integrated Supports Star

This is a great tool for identifying supports that a person has in place and any remaining support gaps. The star is divided into five areas:

Personal Strengths and Assets
Relationships
Eligibility-Specific Supports
Community-Based Supports
Technology Supports

Identifying gaps can help people understand where they may need more support. For example, someone may not have technological support, which could be an area that helps them become more independent.

Integrated Supports Schedule

Information from the Supports Star is naturally matched to integrate with the Supports Schedule. You can color-code categories from the Supports Star and enter them into the Supports Schedule, identifying support and time gaps. For example, maybe someone has a heavy use of eligibility-specific support but not any community-based support. You notice they have a gap in their schedule that could be filled. You can use the Supports Schedule to identify a community-based support to fill this time gap.

Reciprocal Roles

This tool helps identify the supportive roles people have in each other’s lives. For example, who shares love, affection, and trust? Who spends time and creates memories together? Who knows about personal interests, traditions, and cultures? Similarly, what roles does the person with a disability play in others’ lives? This tool can be very affirming, highlighting the significant roles the person with a disability plays in others’ lives and identifying any support gaps they may have in relationships.

LifeCourse Portfolios

To explore and plan, visit the LifeCourse Person-Centered Foundational Tools page and scroll down to the “LifeCourse Person-Centered Portfolio” section to download the tools listed below. Print these resources on 11 x 17 paper. Each contains a cover sheet, trajectory tool, and an Integrated Supports Star.

Try Them Out Yourself

We encourage you to try these tools before using them with someone you work with. These tools can elicit emotions such as future fears, regrets about past decisions, or embarrassment about current life situations. By using them yourself, you’ll become familiar with them and develop empathy as you explore these tools with others.

The tools are applicable beyond life vision planning. You can use the Trajectory for Planning tool to plan any goal – large or small, personal, work-related, or for any situation. For example, you can use it to:

Plan a vacation
Develop a fitness goal
Plan career development
Improve social goals
Explore hobby goals

The sky is the limit! These tools are designed to help people with disabilities and those who support them live their best lives. So go out there, live your best life, and support others to do the same.