J. Except. People 2014, 3(2):7-12

Acquisition of entrepreneurial skills for economic growth and development for persons with special needs

Josephine Dasel Nanjwan1, Janet Punyit Plang2
1 Department of Vocational and Special Education, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
2 Department of Sociology, University of Jos, JOS, Nigeria

The paper discussed that economic development and growth are made possible by different groups of entrepreneurs including persons with special needs. Persons with special needs are individual who deviate in the negative direction from the large majority of the members of the society in either physical appearance physical function, intellectual functioning and behavior. The paper also discussed that they should be encouraged on how to maximize their potentials through entrepreneurial skills training through various stages such as: Referral, assessment, placements and follow up. This is necessary to ensure that the persons with special needs matched well with the job. Entrepreneurship for a person with special needs can be through vocational training and rehabilitation services.Generally in Nigeria, persons with special needs are very much disadvantaged in job market and employment opportunities. Entrepreneurship training and development is most welcome for the special people as this will prepare them for self employment as well as enhancing the positive self esteem of the individual, fostering movement towards independent and self actualization etc. The paper concluded that special persons must learn to be independence, hard working and willing to accept responsibilities and should have an exceptional strong desire to achieve success. It was recommended among others that job opportunity should be created on the open labour market for persons with special needs. Government should support vocational training centers and sheltered workshops run by NGOs.

Keywords: Entrepreneurs, persons with special needs, self employment, self esteem, self actualization

Published: December 11, 2014  Show citation

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Nanjwan, J.D., & Plang, J.P. (2014). Acquisition of entrepreneurial skills for economic growth and development for persons with special needs. Journal of Exceptional People, 3(5), 7-12
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