The Emerging Workforce of Entrepreneurs with Disabilities: Preliminary Study of Entrepreneurship in Iowa

Abstract

This article explores one point in the continuum of employment activities of persons with disabilities - self-employment and entrepreneurial activity. The investigation examines how self-employment expands employment opportunities and improves quality of life for people with disabilities in Iowa. The centerpiece of the article is an exploratory study of Iowa's Entrepreneurs with Disabilities (EWD) program, including an organizational analysis of the EWD program, demographic analysis of EWD applicants, and interviews with EWD participants.

Keywords: Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, ADA, disability, discrimination, Iowa, entrepreneur, employment, self-employment, health law, health policy

JEL Classification: I18, J2, J23, J7, J70, J71, J78, K2, K31, K1, K49