National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) has been an important time of year and a milestone for people with disabilities for decades. Sharing employment stories of success is one of the many ways we celebrate NDEAM. This year, we’d like to introduce you to Angad Sahgal, a young visionary poised to revolutionize the landscape of disability entrepreneurship. Angad’s innovative tech platform, ‘Let Me Do It,’ emerges as a beacon of hope, empowering individuals with disabilities to navigate life’s choices with the support they need to live and thrive independently. This blog, written by Aarti Sahgal, Founder of Synergies Work, delves into the prevailing stereotypes, the untapped potential within the disabled community, and the transformative impact of building a career while shaping an inclusive and equitable world. Together, we embrace the spirit of NDEAM and work tirelessly to close the economic gap through the diverse talents and perspectives that are inclusive of people with disabilities.
This National Disability Employment Awareness Month (#NDEAM) holds special significance for me as Angad, my younger son, prepares to present his revolutionary tech platform, ‘Let Me Do It.’ This platform empowers people with disabilities to make informed decisions with the support they need. Let Me Do It has been selected as one of the ten businesses out of 164 other applicants by Georgia State University’s Mainstreet Fund accelerator program.
Angad’s passion for supported decision-making and his own journey has been the driving forces behind the creation of Let Me Do It. For him, entrepreneurship has become a way to make a tangible difference in the lives of others.
Did I forget to mention that Angad has Down Syndrome?
This is precisely what we aim to accomplish at Synergies Work: To unleash the power of entrepreneurship among persons with disabilities by providing opportunities, leveling the playing field for equal talent, and closing the network gaps. Our purpose is to build a world where persons with disabilities truly belong.
Within the landscape of employment and entrepreneurship in the United States, a prevalent stereotype persists, one that frequently excludes individuals with disabilities from the narrative of entrepreneurship. This misconception is deeply ingrained in outdated perceptions and biases that don’t acknowledge the potential and talent inherent in the disabled community. This systemic lapse perpetuates a false belief that makes entrepreneurship an elusive path for individuals with disabilities.
In reality, things are quite different. I think people with disabilities have a natural talent for entrepreneurship that drives innovation and success. In a world that often favors non-disabled people, many with disabilities have overcome tough challenges. They naturally develop qualities like resilience, adaptability, creativity, and problem-solving skills – qualities that are really important for entrepreneurs.
At Synergies Work we firmly believe that all individuals have boundless talent, an inherent curiosity to explore, and a passion to succeed. We believe that everyone has a gift or a talent to offer to the world. It can be a gift of hand, a gift of heart, and/or a gift of head. We recognize that entrepreneurship can be a powerful equalizer. By providing end-to-end business support to founders with disabilities, redefining labels, and bridging the gap between the business & and the disability world we are working to create a world where everyone’s potential is recognized and valued.
As we unite to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month and the theme of ‘Advancing Access and Equity,’ let us join hands in our shared vision.
Together, we can unleash the full power of entrepreneurship among persons with disabilities, providing them with the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive. In doing so, we not only close the disability wealth gap but also enrich our society with diverse talents and perspectives, creating a more inclusive and equitable world for all.
Here are three things that you can do to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month:
- Discover and support disabled founders and their You can find them by visiting our website at www.synergieswork.org.
- Invest in the Synergies Work Grant Fund and pay it forward to empower disabled founders. Click here to make a difference.
- Start a Conversation- Connect with a disabled founder today. Investors and organizations can schedule a call with me at aarti@Synergieswork.org to explore opportunities for collaboration.