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Economic Development: A Disability Issue!
Too often, poverty and disability are linked. It isn't only that it's costly to meet our daily needs for health care, assistive technology, and personal assistants. Existing systems require that we stay poor! The most obvious example is the number of people who don't look for a job and keep their cash assets low so they remain eligible for Medicaid.
Recently, we focused our advocacy on work and Medicaid. We have partially achieved the goal of permitting Medicaid eligibility while working, but that can't be our entire economic agenda! It's good when people find jobs, too, but that's not all we can do. It's time to learn from immigrant groups how to build economic value, to see how focusing on economic development can help us.
See the full article for some basic concepts to support economic development in our community.
Table of Contents:
- How I Started My Own Business.
- Small Business Resources.
- Action Days.
- AT and TeleWork Loan Funds.
- Join MDRC.
How I Started My Own Business.
By Sandra Conley
Some people thought I couldn't do it. Because of Degenerative Joint disease, I became an Amputee at age 17. Since then, I've had a hip replaced and a screw inserted in my body to hold my ankle in place. None of that kept me from my first dream: to become an occupational therapist. I worked in the field for six years before constant pain and weakness forced me to take some time off. During that time, I qualified for disability benefits and became a client of Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS).
I also spent some time thinking about the kinds of things I like to do. I wanted a new dream to pursue.
Link to the full article "How I Started My Own Business.".
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Small Business Resources.
Going into business can be complicated. Do we need a license? How much money do we need? Who will lend to us? Should we incorporate? How do we compute taxes and payroll? What do we do first-rent and equip an office, hire people, get training?
Fortunately, government-funded agencies provide free help in all these areas. Economic developers know that the way to create jobs is to help small businesses thrive. Everyone wants to create more jobs, so everyone wants to help you!
Link to the full article "Small Business Resources.".
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Action Days in Local Regions
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AT and TeleWork Loan Funds.
The Michigan Loan Funds
Low-interest Loans available to People with Disabilities to purchase Assistive Technology or TeleWork Equipment.
Open to Michigan residents with disabilities, their family members, and in the case of the TeleWork Loan Fund, their employers.
- Loans up to $20,000
- Low interest rates that are fixed
- Repayment terms based upon the useful life of the equipment or AT device
- Flexible approval process
- Local application sites around the state where experienced professionals can guide you through the application process
The Michigan Assistive Technology Loan Fund allows people with disabilities (or their family members) to purchase assistive technology devices or services, including modification of vehicles and homes. Loans may also cover cost of training, warranties, and service agreements.
The Michigan TeleWork Loan Fund allows people with disabilities (or their employers) to purchase equipment to allow the person with a disability to telework (work from home or at a telework center).
For more information, contact loan fund staff at United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan Toll-free: 1.800.828.2714 E-mail: info@michiganloanfunds.org Website: www.michiganloanfunds.org
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