The Opinion on Capability Development of Persons with Disabilities to Become Social Entrepreneurs

Abstract

The objectives of this qualitative research are to examine the opinions on capability development of persons with disabilities in becoming social entrepreneurs, the associated problems, obstacles, and recommendations for such persons to operate social enterprise, and the further extension of the short training course: “Mini MBA for Social Enterprise for Persons-with-Disabilities Organizations and Network” offered during 2018-2022. Data were gathered by selecting specific (purposive sampling) figure 10 persons namely persons supporting person with disabilities (PWDs) from private sector, PWDs organizations and PWDs entrepreneurs, public and relevant organizations responsible for capacity development of PWDs. The data were analyzed by using content analysis, the results indicate that persons with disabilities are capable of running social enterprises because they have a positive mindset, inspiration, and personal characteristics conducive to being social entrepreneurs.   Especially if they are supported on capabilities building required such as knowledge and understanding of social enterprise, appropriate training on skills and experience of actual business environment. The public sector should continuously provide a well-integrated eco-system with cooperation from networks of affiliated organizations from all parties in order to enhance and extend opportunities for the progressive growth of persons-with-disabilities social enterprises. Effective supports should also come from persons-with-disabilities families, persons-with disabilities-organizations, private sector, academic institutions, and networks of social enterprises. The problems, and obstacles for development of persons with disabilities to be effective social entrepreneurs include negative mindset, Thai social beliefs, lack of knowledge and understanding, insufficient collective effort of persons-with-disabilities organizations, access to market opportunity, inconsistent production standards and high production costs.  On the extensions of the short training course, which is the initial point of changing the mindset, several suggestions are proposed such as learning-exchange forum, specialized-group training, extension to designated communities and cooperative arrangement of relevant activities with pertinent parties.