Record number of applicants for Stelios Award
Record numbers of disabled people are turning to self-employment to create successful careers and manage their disabilities, according to global disability charity Leonard Cheshire.
We’re delighted to have received so many innovative applications full of pioneering ideas from talented entrepreneurs.
Neil Heslop
There have been 81 applicants for this year’s Stelios award for disabled entrepreneurs, up 12.5% from last year.
This year’s crop of hopefuls have been inspired by some of the daily challenges of having a disability, whether it is scratching your car with your wheelchair or visiting the gym.
Other applicants are making their mark in the catering, technology and fashion industries.
Leonard Cheshire CEO Neil Heslop commented:
‘At Leonard Cheshire we’re delighted to have received so many innovative applications full of pioneering ideas from talented entrepreneurs.
‘Self-employment is one great option to achieve independence for people with disabilities given the extraordinary untapped talent out there.
‘With Brexit imminent, innovation and talent are critical to our economy and so many employers are missing out on the pool of amazing potential employees that disabled people represent.’
Media enquiries
For further enquiries please contact Jonathan Sim on jonathan.sim@leonardcheshire.org or call 020 3242 0204.