Self-Employment
For many consumers, self-employment is a viable option. Self-employment services are intended to support an employment outcome that is designed to maximize the individual’s work, earnings, and financial independence. The self-employment venture must be expected to be the major source of income for the individual.
Self-employment is a consumer-owned business, profession, or trade that sells goods or services for the purpose of making a profit. A self-employed consumer works for themselves for profit or fees, at home or at another work site, controlled by the consumer. Self-employment includes sole proprietorships, partnerships (51% consumer owned), or corporations.
The terms, “home based business” and “home-based employment” have different meanings and are not interchangeable in regard to self-employment:
- Home-Based Business: A business, profession or trade is consumer owned, managed and operated out of the consumer’s residence, including contract work. A home-based business is self-employment.
- Home-Based Employment: Work performed by a consumer, at home, for an employer through telecommuting. Home-based employment is not self-employment.
Each OVR district has a designated Self-Employment Specialist with the following role:
- Act as a resource to district staff on self-employment.
- A source of information for Counselors regarding local Small Business Development Centers, Service Corps of Retired Executives, self-employment training resources, or business consultants that might offer services for the consumer.
- Be available to answer counselor’s questions regarding local contact people, training, and cooperative agreements.
- Act as a liaison between the local VR office and the self-employment resources in the community, in particular the SBDC.
- At the counselor’s request, review the assessment to assist the counselor in determining if the goal is appropriate.
- Report any problems with process or procedures to the state Self-Employment Coordinator for resolution or revision of process.
For more information, please see the Policies and Procedures Manual on Self-Employment [MS Word - 103KB].
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Self-Employment Success Story: Jaime Osburn |
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Vocational Rehabilitation consumer, Jaime Osburn, applied to the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation in July, 2003. Her counselor led her through assessment and worked with her to determine a feasible vocational goal. Eventually, they agreed on a self-employment proposal that was approved and set in motion. She now operates a successful home-based embroidery business in Owenton.
Jaime Osburn had this to say about the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.
"You are making a difference in the lives of not just your consumers but also their families, and all those individuals that they come into contact with. I truly believe you were placed in the position that you are in to change lives. Thank you for seeing past my physical limitation and providing me with the opportunity to once again feel productive. Your name will be forever etched in my heart, as this defining moment in my life was made possible because of you."
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Self Employment Success Story: Terry 'Shaggy' Webb |
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In 2007, Terry ‘Shaggy’ Webb opened a barbershop in Lexington with assistance from OVR and the Kentucky Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of Kentucky. He now has three shops in operation.
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Forms |
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Service Fee Memorandums |
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Policies and Procedures |
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Self-Employment [MS Word - 130KB]
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