Irish Network: self employment for persons with disabilities

This is a recording of our Irish Network meeting from July 2021 when Eric Lambe from Step Up Ireland joined us to talk about self employment for persons with disabilities.  He covered:

• Looking at the self employment supports for persons with disabilities in Ireland.
• Step Up Ireland- An overview of an organisation supporting persons with disabilities
• Looking at welfare supports for persons with disabilities in Ireland with a self employment focus.
• What’s available for persons with disabilities in Ireland currently and what are the gaps.
• Changing the narrative- Equality and empowerment focused.

Our speaker

Step Up Ireland was founded in January 2019 by founder Eric Lambe. The idea was borne from his direct work in the disability sector in Ireland. He found that many individuals with disabilities have immense passion and skills that are under utilised. While working with one individual to start his own business he was shocked by the barriers that this person experienced. What was most shocking was people’s perceptions of what persons with disabilities are capable of.

It was the disappointment and acceptance that this is ‘just the way it is’ that drove him to apply to social entrepreneurs Ireland Academy program. He applied and was accepted to their bootcamp stage. From there he pitched ‘Dragons den’ style for a chance to make STEP UP a possibility. He was selected to attend the Dublin Academy 2019 and has been working hard behind the scenes to make STEP UP a success while continuing to work in the disability sector which he loves.

It is not Eric’s dream that he wants to achieve but the dreams of the countless others out there that are tired of the status quo and want to see real and meaningful person driven change in Ireland.

The following resources were shared in the chat during the meeting:

• Step up Ireland empowering adults with disabilities to become entrepreneurs.
• This VRA resource includes information that is useful for self-employment in other parts of the UK is accessible to anyone.  It also has support around finding and keeping a job.
• This VRA resource is aimed at practitioners wanting to move into self employment but lots of the resources will be helpful to anyone who wants to work for themselves or set up a small business – this is a VRA member only resource.
• Leapers offers help and advice specifically for people who are self-employed or freelancers.  Working for yourself can be lonely and challenging at times and it is important to look after yourself.
• Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities.