Self-Employment with a Minimal Investment

Course ID: EMP-221

Audience
Students enrolled in the Hadley School for Professional Studies

Course Description
This course provides useful information to blindness professionals working with individuals who are visually impaired and deciding if self-employment is a realistic pursuit for them. It presents the basics of discovering a business idea, preparing a budget, and developing business and marketing plans, as well as information about disability programs and benefits. The last lesson identifies the professional’s role in the self-employment process.

Media
The course is available online only.

Organization
Seven lessons

Credit
2 CEUs

Overview
Students submit seven assignments to their instructor.

Grading
letter

Maximum Completion Time
3.5 months

Objectives and Content

After completing Lesson 1, students will be able to:
a. identify factors to think about when considering self-employment
b. recognize self-analysis activities people use when considering self-employment

After completing Lesson 2, students will be able to:
a. explain how others decided whether to pursue their business idea
b. identify the steps of a QBE
c. recognize the options after the QBE

After completing Lesson 3, students will be able to:
a. list basic resources and tools for preparing a budget
b. identify tasks for preparing for a budget
c. recognize elements of an initial budget and chart of accounts

After completing Lesson 4, students will be able to:
a. explain the three Cs of marketing: capabilities, customers, and competition
b. identify the sections of a marketing plan and view a sample one
c. discuss the benefits of creating a marketing plan

After completing Lesson 5, students will be able to:
a. explain how others decided to develop a business plan
b. identify the sections of an executive summary
c. identify the parts of a business plan and explain how to adapt it to different readers

After completing Lesson 6, students will be able to:
a. describe how businesspeople who are visually impaired can compete in the business world
b. discuss where to find financial assistance when starting a new business
c. explore disability programs available to businesspeople who are visually impaired
d. explain disability benefits for self-employment and a disability action plan

After completing Lesson 7, students will be able to:
a. identify the training and role of the professional counselor for the self-employment process
b. identify the client's responsibilities, as well as the benefits and risks of self-employment