Inaccessible support services, poor access to finance and the ongoing ‘burden of proof of disability’ are among major barriers that need to be radically overhauled for millions of disabled founders across the UK to flourish, according to interim findings from The Lilac Review.
This included balancing health needs - which are often chronic - alongside running a business, and also managing the burden of unnecessarily complex processes to access business support, finance, and welfare, as well as inaccessibly designed services. “However, anyone who wants to should be able to follow their entrepreneurial spirit and take on that challenge.
· Simplifying processes and requirements for entrepreneurial support – particularly access to finance and investment· Consulting Disabled entrepreneurs – in the development and review of business products and services In particular, the Department of Business and Trade will work with the Lilac Review Steering Board Members, the British Business Bank, UK Finance and Small Business Britain to further develop a Disability Finance Code for Entrepreneurship, with support from Lloyds Bank, NatWest, Barclays and HSBC UK.