Founding with a Disability

1. Use Self-employment for your Needs

While other founders primarily seek independence, self-employment offers people with health limitations additional benefits:

• self-determined working conditions
• the opportunity to implement your own ideas
• possibilities for accessibility in your own work environment. You can perfectly adapt your workplace and working method to your needs!
• Better working conditions and financial opportunities compared to the traditional labor market

2. Use the Support you are entitled to

In addition to general funding such as the start-up grant from the Federal Employment Agency (ALG1), or basic income support (for ALGII recipients), there are special forms of support for you if you are severely disabled:

• Work assistance:

If you cannot perform certain assisting activities yourself, there is the possibility that a paid assistant performs these activities and the costs are covered by the responsible authority

• Funding for disability-related investments

It serves to compensate for specific disadvantages arising from the disability through targeted investments. This can be, for example, a particularly large screen for people with visual impairment or special office furniture, such as a special desk.

• Loans

People with severe disabilities who become self-employed can also be supported through special loans. The amount varies from state to state. In Berlin it is approximately 15,000 euros.

Unfortunately there is no unified responsibility: It depends on your biography which provider is responsible and provides the funding.

Tip: contact the integration office or inclusion office in your state, if needed they can refer you to the responsible authority. NachhaltigeJobs

For severely disabled people who have already worked for at least 15 years subject to social insurance contributions, for example, the pension insurance is responsible, in other cases the employment agency or the integration office (in some states also called inclusion office). Additionally, the application procedure differs not only depending on the funding provider, but also by state.

3. Find individual Ways to Financing

Especially at the beginning, financial security is crucial. In addition to the funding options mentioned above, bank loans, and microloans, there are:

• KfW start-up loans with favorable interest rates, also accessible for people with disabilities (KfW Bank).
• Foundations like Aktion Mensch: Micro-funding and project support for inclusive work (Aktion Mensch).

4. Remove Barriers - through Networks and Advice

There are advisory centers that can help you individually:

• Integration services (IFD): Advice and support for start-up and employment (Federal Association of Integration Offices and Main Welfare Offices).
• IHK/HWK: Business plan advice, expert opinions (IHK Start-up Advice).
• AVGS coaching: Fully funded start-up advice through the employment agency (Federal Employment Agency).
• Self-advocacy & networks: Exchange and peer support, e.g. Selbstbestimmt Leben e. V.
• Enterability offers start-up advice for severely disabled people in Berlin.

Contact Points – Overview

5. Next Steps for your Path

Steps in Detail

1. Check initial situation

• Register early with the Federal Employment Agency or job center.
• Clarify whether you are entitled to ALG I or II.
• Check whether you have a recognized severe disability (degree of disability from 50) – the pension office of your state is responsible for this.

2. Check funding options

• Find out about benefits for participation in working life (§ 49 SGB IX): Grants for work equipment, basic income support or aids. Information is available directly from the Federal Employment Agency.
• Check possible integration subsidies or investment aids at the integration office.
• Use tax advantages such as the disabled person's flat-rate allowance – information can be found at the Federal Ministry of Finance.

3. Create business plan

• A viable business plan is a prerequisite for many funding programs.
• You can find support at the IHK or Chamber of Crafts.
• You can apply for free AVGS coaching (activation and placement voucher) through the Federal Employment Agency.

4. Secure expert opinion

• For the start-up grant or other funding you need an expert opinion confirming the viability of your project.
• You can obtain this from the IHK, HWK or an integration service (IFD) (overview here).

5. Submit applications & start

• Submit your applications for grants and funding in good time to the Federal Employment Agency or integration office.
• Register your business (through your municipal trade office or – if freelance – directly with the tax office).
• Start your self-employment, build your network (e.g. through Selbstbestimmt Leben e. V.) and make sure to keep track of income and expenses.