Accessibility of Entrepreneurship Training Programs for Individuals with Disabilities: A Literature Review

Abstract

Entrepreneurial endeavours often begin with entrepreneurship training. Such trainings, however, remain largely inaccessible to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and thus, their entrepreneurial potential remains untapped. This comprehensive literature review examines the barriers to entrepreneurship education for PWDs and identifies strategies to overcome these challenges. The review follows the systematic approach of the PRISMA 2020 Statement, using five databases, including Scopus, JSTOR, ProQuest, DOAJ, and Google Scholar. A total of 2140 articles dating back 10 years were identified, screened, and evaluated, and 17 of them were selected and synthesized to inform the findings. The key findings highlight a spectrum of barriers, including inadequate access to quality education, difficulty in customizing entrepreneurship programs, issues related to both physical and digital access, financial barriers, and the influence of societal norms and self-perception. They also identify strategies to make entrepreneurship education more inclusive, such as applying universal design principles, tailoring education to individual needs, shifting towards active learner-centred methodologies, leveraging information technology, and fostering supportive communities. This review is a practical reference for institutions, organizations, and individuals endeavouring to enhance the inclusivity of entrepreneurship training programs. It also provides a theoretical framework for the already identified requirements of PWDs for entrepreneurship training and presents further opportunities through current limitations and suggestions for future research.