Research Project
Entrepreneurship for Youth with Disabilities
The EYD curriculum is a customizable, in person or online-ready course for youth and young adults with and without disabilities.
- Start Date
- 2020-03-01
- End Date
- 2025-03-01
- Research Area(s)
- Archived Projects
- Children, Youth and Families
- Community-Based Participatory Research
- DHD Research
- Disability
- Entrepreneurship and Employment
- Participation Among People with Disabilities
- Funding Source
- EYD was funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (grant number: 90DPEM0002).
Abstract
The EYD curriculum is a customizable, in person or online-ready course for youth and young adults with and without disabilities. Developed at UIC’s Department of Disability and Human Development, the EYD curriculum takes students through the process of writing a business plan and pitching their idea to possible investors. The purpose of this course is to offer a state-of-the-art entrepreneurship education that provides foundational knowledge and skills for self-employment. Family Entrepreneurship Guide This guide assists families in supporting their loved ones who are interested in pursuing entrepreneurship as a career choice. It includes practical matters like taxes, disability benefits, and vocational rehabilitation offerings. The guide also provides insights into what comes next for the entrepreneur, highlighting community resources and how families can tap into them for support. Curriculum Extension Guide It expands the original 13-unit curriculum by providing additional learning opportunities such as pre-teaching and extending in-unit activities. Additionally, the guide contains an abbreviated curriculum designed to introduce core concepts about entrepreneurship and guide students through the key parts of planning for a small business. This is ideal for already experienced entrepreneurs who only need a refresher, and/or students who are just beginning career exploration. EYD Curriculum