Acknowledgements

The need for this curriculum was identified by the vocational rehabilitation counselors who participated in RTC:Rural's initial research projects on self-employment. Subsequent discussions of self-employment as a VR outcome with consumers, Client Assistance Programs, state VR agencies, and RRCEPs contributed significantly to this work. I am hopeful this curriculum meets the needs identified by those who shared their experiences with us.

The development of this curriculum involved many people. I would like to thank Tom Seekins for his support, encouragement, collegial discussions, and suggestions throughout its development. In addition to the other authors: Capital Women's Fund, Roger Shelley, Carleen Anderson, and Randy Brown, I wish to thank Kay Schriner and Bob Jahner for their suggestions at the beginning of the development process, Cary Griffin and Steve Shivers for reviewing early versions of the manuscript, Timothy McEvoy of the Social Security Administration for his thorough review and suggestions for improving the Social Security Work Incentives chapter, Diana Spas for her careful review and editing to make it friendly and easier to read, Kathy Dwyer for her skill in preparing the curriculum for publication, and to Chuck Sperry for his assistance with revision, vignettes, and examples. I also wish to acknowledge the help of Nancy Clouse, Instructional Design Consultant, and Greg Weber, Web Designer, for their help in making this curriculum available via the Internet.Please contact Nancy Arnold, Ph.D. at the Rural Institute on Disabilities for any questions or comments regarding this curriculum.

This work was supported by a grant from the National Institute on disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR: # H133B70017-98 and H133B70017-99). This curriculum is part of a larger effort supported by NIDRR to develop effective strategies for providing rehabilitation services in rural areas. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not reflect the position of the agency.

Nancy Arnold

© July 1998, 1st Revision June 1999, 2nd Revision February 2001

Suggested Citation:
Arnold, N., Seekins, T., Montana Women's Capital Fund, Shelley, R., Hammis, D., Anderson, C., & Brown, R. (Web Based Edition). (2003). Self-employment steps for vocational rehabilitation counselors: Helping a consumer start a business. Missoula: The University of Montana Rural Institute on Disabilities.