Empowering Success: Inspiring Disabled Entrepreneurs UK

In a world where barriers often overshadow potential, some have defied stereotypes, shattered glass ceilings, and paved their own paths to success. In this blog, we highlight seven disabled entrepreneurs UK who have built thriving businesses and become beacons of inspiration for aspiring professionals with disabilities.

According to recent studies, there are over 14 million people with disabilities in the UK. This accounts for more than 20% of the population. However, despite facing unique challenges, disabled entrepreneurs UK are contributing significantly to the country’s economy and reshaping the business landscape.

On the one hand, disabled-owned small businesses contribute 8.6% of the entire GDP to the UK economy. But, at the same time, 84% of disabled entrepreneurs say they don’t have equal access to the same opportunities and resources as non-disabled entrepreneurs.

Nevertheless, these entrepreneurs are battling to create successful businesses while championing accessibility, inclusivity, and empowerment.

7 Inspirational Disabled Entrepreneurs

With this in mind, let’s delve into the incredible success stories of seven disabled entrepreneurs UK who have made a lasting impact in their respective fields.

AccessAble

What they do: AccessAble is a digital platform founded by Dr Gregory Burke. Dr Burke, who has a mobility impairment, started AccessAble in 2000. It provides detailed accessibility information for various venues and locations, including shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

What’s next: AccessAble continues to expand its coverage and improve its platform, partnering with more venues to provide accurate accessibility information. Furthermore, the company plans to leverage emerging technologies like augmented reality to enhance the user experience and make accessibility information even more attainable.

→ Search AccessAble now to take the chance out of going out.

Her Spirit

What they do: Her Spirit is a wellness platform from Mel Bound and Holly Woodford. Mel Bound, who lives with a visual impairment, and Holly Woodford started Her Spirit to empower women to lead healthier lifestyles. They do this through a personalised approach to fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being.

What’s next: Her Spirit aims to further grow its community and expand its offerings by introducing additional features and services. Moreover, the company plans to collaborate with like-minded organisations and develop partnerships. Their aim is to reach a wider audience of women seeking to improve their well-being.

→ Check out Her Spirit to start your fitness journey now.

iansyst Ltd

What they do: iansyst Ltd is a company founded by Ian Litterick, a disabled entrepreneur with dyslexia. The company specialises in providing assistive technology solutions for individuals with learning difficulties and disabilities. They offer a range of products such as screen reading software, text-to-speech tools, and dyslexia-friendly learning resources.

What’s next: iansyst Ltd has plans to advance their assistive technology solutions and stay at the forefront of accessibility innovation. They aim to reach a wider audience and promote inclusive education and workplace environments.

→ Head over to the iansyst website for more information.

PosAbility Magazine

What they do: PosAbility Magazine is a bi-monthly magazine dedicated to disability lifestyle and accessible living. Influential columnists Mik Scarlet, Sam Renke, Dan White and Jane Hatton are its main writers. PosAbility Magazine covers a wide range of topics, including health and well-being, travel, technology, and success stories of disabled individuals.

What’s next: PosAbility Magazine aims to increase their readership and expand their digital presence to reach a larger audience. They continue to provide a platform for disabled individuals to share their stories and inspire others in the disability community.

→ Put the kettle on and browse the PosAbility Magazine.

DisabledHolidays.com

What they do: DisabledHolidays.com is a company co-founded by Martyn Sibley, a disabled entrepreneur with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The company is an online travel agency specialising in accessible holidays for individuals with disabilities. They provide comprehensive information on accessible accommodations, transportation, and destinations to help disabled travellers plan their trips with confidence.

What’s next: DisabledHolidays.com aims to expand their services globally and increase the availability of accessible travel options worldwide. They strive to break down barriers and make travel more inclusive for individuals with disabilities.

→ Book your next trip at DisabledHolidays.com.

enAble Games

What they do: enAable Games, founded by Craig Fletcher, focuses on promoting gaming accessibility and inclusion. Craig Fletcher, who has a visual impairment, started enAable Games as a social enterprise. It provides adaptive gaming equipment and runs community events and tournaments to create a supportive gaming environment for disabled individuals.

What’s next: enAable Games plans to continue advocating for gaming accessibility, collaborating with industry partners to push for more inclusive design practices. Additionally, the company aims to expand its reach by organising larger-scale gaming events and fostering partnerships with gaming companies and organisations.

→ Start gaming now on the enAbleGames website.

InvincibleMe

What they do: InvincibleMe, by Alexandra Eavis, develops resources and workshops to support the mental health and emotional well-being of children and young people. Alexandra Eavis has lived experience with mental health challenges. That’s why she started InvincibleMe to empower children with emotional intelligence and resilience skills.

What’s next: InvincibleMe aims to expand its reach by partnering with schools and organisations to deliver their programmes on a larger scale. The company plans to develop additional resources, including digital tools and online courses. This will make their programs more accessible to a wider audience of children and young people.

→ See what InvincibleMe has to offer.

These success stories highlight the diverse abilities of disabled entrepreneurs UK, as they create impactful businesses while promoting inclusivity and accessibility.

Key Takeaways

These remarkable disabled entrepreneurs demonstrate that disability is not a barrier to success. On the contrary, it is a catalyst for innovation, determination, and resilience. Through their ventures, they have not only achieved personal triumphs but also fostered inclusivity, accessibility, and empowerment for disabled individuals across the UK. We hope their stories inspire and encourage aspiring professionals with disabilities to pursue their dreams, knowing that they too can create meaningful and impactful careers.

So, if you’re looking for career opportunities, make sure they’re with disability-friendly employers like the ones who advertise their jobs here on Careers with Disabilities.

Our resource hub is packed with advice and support on everything from knowing your rights to job application tips to applying for grants and schemes.

Of course, be sure to browse our disability-friendly job board for the latest inclusive opportunities near you.

Have a question? Feel free to contact our team. And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter below for all the latest news and opportunities from Careers with Disabilities.