Resources: People and agencies providing self-employment opportunities for people with disabilities

Randy Brown, District Administrator,
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, 100 Margaret Street,
New Castle, PA 16101
412-656-3070 or 800-442-6379

In Pennsylvania, Vocational Rehabilitation District Administrator Randy Brown has developed and piloted economic development and self-employment programs. One of Brown's programs uses VR funds to provide grants to purchase business equipment for firms that hire VR consumers. He has developed a business incubator for business owners with disabilities and for business owners who hire workers with disabilities. He also is developing a microloan program to help VR consumers start businesses.

Urban Miyares, President,
Disabled Businesspersons Association,
9625 Black Mountain Road,
Suite 207, San Diego, CA 92126-4564

The Disabled Businessperson's Association maintains a database containing information on 10,000 entrepreneurs with disabilities. The organization, headed by Urban Miyares, disseminates information and answers the many questions posed by entrepreneurs with disabilities on topics such as industry trends, financing, market demographics, and business opportunities. DBA also recommends suitable business equipment and helps with business-related paperwork including planning instruments, reports, proposals, and presentations. It maintains a list of qualified consultants and business service providers, and, finally, it publishes a quarterly newsletter, the "DBA Advisor," and sponsors and presents educational events.

Dennis Rizzo, Acting Director
New Jersey Disability Loan Fund, Inc.
C/O PPS
P. O. Box 621
Bordentown, NJ 08505-0621
609-291-8729

Dennis Rizzo is the acting director of the New Jersey Disability and Non-Profit Micro Loan Fund, Inc. The fund was established in 1992 to use economic development strategies to create jobs for people with a disability. The loan fund, which operates as a private 501(c)(3) corporation, now has assets in excess of $500,000. It provides small to medium size loans, loan guarantees, lines of credit, and loan packaging.

Kay Schriner, Ph.D.
Department of Rehabilitation Education and Research
University of Arkansas
346 N. West Avenue
Fayetteville, AR 72701
501-575-6417

Dr. Schriner is interested in economic development and self-employment. She is developing a microloan model for a local independent living center that is an adaptation of a successful microloan program developed for low-income people in rural Arkansas. She also has analyzed Arkansas Rehabilitative Services self-employment data.

Dale Verstegen, Business Development Consultant
State of Wisconsin
Department of Development
338 W. National Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53204
414-382-1752

In Wisconsin, a partnership was developed between the Wisconsin Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and the Wisconsin Department of Development (DOD). Working for the DOD, Dale Verstegen, assists DVR consumers with developing business plans and with securing business loans for business start-up.

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The opinions expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal government.

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