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Coletti Addresses 2004 Long Term Disability (LTD) Roundtable in Chicopee, MA & Urges
"Try Self-Employment Rehab Plans. They Work!"
(Sept 10, 2004) - Ed Coletti delivered a keynote address to the Northeast Regional LTD Roundtable comprised of medical/vocational coordinators from the nation's leading long term and individual disability carriers. Mr. Coletti spoke to the issue of offering business startup help to policy holders as a very effective step and incentive toward full vocational rehabilitation. (See below for highlights.)
Higlights from Mr. Coletti included:
- Entrepreneurial persons are self-starters
- When presented with opportunity for self-employment, they respond positively.
- For the right benefits recipient, the offer of a self-employment plan can be extremely effective in counteracting disincentives.
- Mr. Coletti reports a 90% success rate in voc. rehab self-employment when the business proposals had been previously evaluated in detail
- Studies (Ravesloot & Seekins) indicate that people with work disabilities are self-employed at twice the rate of the general population.
- However, due to counselor attitudes and institutional policies, this is not reflected in vocational rehabilitation practice.
- Unfamiliarity with business principles and "myths" concerning "failure" rates and expense prevail.
- Self-employment plans can be very successful and economical when encompassing combinations of personal funds, loans, and carrier contributions.
- Self-employment plans are particularly attractive and efficient among professionals, higher-paid blue collar workers, severely disabled persons, and in geographical areas with a paucity of employment opportunities.
- While some business types are seen more than others, the variety of business types is infinite.
- Not everyone is cut out for self-employment. However, many more are good candidates than have previously been considered.
- Business proposal and plan evaluation by a qualified consultant is the single most valuable tool in determining suitability and predicting success.
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