Enterpreneurial Empowerment of People with Special Needs in Ondo and Osun States,Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examined the motivational factors for  entrepreneurial empowerment of people with special needs, and determined the level of knowledge, skills, attitudes and competences that are necessary to become self-employed and contribute to individual growth and societal development rather than living in poverty, liabilities as beggars along the roads in Ondo and Osun states, Nigeria. Exploratory survey was adopted, using interviews and focus group discussion. The study revealed that most deaf and dumb in the societies who are involved in entrepreneurial skills development are cobblers, dry cleaners, tailors, bricklayers, carpenters, and hair dressers; while some disabled are into music, typing, teaching and trading. At the same time many are still depending on members of the society for survival. Many disabled are not motivated into engaging in entrepreneurial activities as the attitude of the society towards them does not indicate these people could be useful in different entrepreneurial activities of their abilities, while some families use their disabilities as sources of income. It is therefore recommended that parents should understand that no matter the nature of their children’s disability, individual is useful in one area or the other; people with special needs should be encouraged to engage themselves in entrepreneurial skills development and establish them after graduation. Members of the society and the government in particular should create avenues to identify areas where each disabled is gifted, develop them to be useful for themselves and the development of the society.