Training Our Way to Business Opportunities
By Gabias, Mary Ellen; Braille Monitor, Vol. 53, No. 11Publication Date: December 2010
Article describes a collaboration between the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and the Internet marketplace operator eBay to create more opportunities for blind Americans to access eBay as buyers and sellers. Programs offered by the NFB/eBay Entrepreneurs’ Project include (1) a Business Startup Pilot, including training in the effective use of the eBay ecommerce portal, support with developing administration and accounting procedures, support in obtaining assistance from state vocational rehabilitation programs, assistance understanding the impact of self employment of Social Security Benefits, and assistance identifying local small business resources; (2) Training the Trainers, training interested blind individuals to be eBay-certified education specialists equipped to teach other blind people who use screen readers and also to be certified to teach the sighted; and (3) the NFB/eBay Entrepreneurs’ Marketplace, highlighting the capacity of blind entrepreneurs and driving traffic to their commerce business. The three-day training programs will take place at the NFB Jernigan Institute in Baltimore. Participants will receive transportation, lodging, training classes, accessible training materials, and ongoing mentorship support as a scholarship. The article includes an email address to which interested individuals can send an application to the training programs and instructions for completing the application.
Published by: National Federation of the Blind (Website:http://www.nfb.org)
Link to text: http://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/Publications/bm/bm10/bm1011/bm101109.htm
Link to audio: https://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/Audio/Braille_Monitor/2010/December/09_Training_Our_Way_To_Business_Opportunities.mp3
