A D P

1. A D P What are you talking about puddings for? The benefits of plain language in advice. The Association of Disabled Professionals Presented by Kath Sutherland - Development Officer

2. Why is plain language so important? Kath: How did it go, Craig? Craig: It was rubbish! Kath: Oh no, what happened? Craig: He spent ages talking about p and ls, whatever they are. Then he was going on about tangible and intangible assets. I didn’t understand a word of it. I only need to know about the paperwork I have to keep. Kath: I thought it was an introduction to keeping records for the business? Craig: Yes, so did I! I got up and went when he starting talking about turnovers. What was he talking about puddings for? I’m starting a gardening business, not a bakery!!

3. But, you should know what we’re talking about! • If information is written in “jargon” or “business speak”, this often makes it too difficult for the audience to understand all of the information. For example: “It is essential to have a realistic, working business plan when you begin your entrepreneurial journey. A business plan is a written document that describes a business, its objectives, its strategies, the climate of the market, the key personnel and its financial forecasts. It has many functions, from securing external funding to measuring success within your business.” • What does this actually mean? It means: “You should write a business plan, which tells the story of what you want to do in your business. The business plan will include: 1. information about your idea, the goods or services you are offering and where you will have the business. This may be at home or at another place; 2. information about how you are going to find out, or have already found out, whether there are customers; 3. the people you may want to work for you; and 4. money – your estimated sales and expenses. A bank may need to read your business plan before opening a business bank account and you will need a business plan if you want to apply for grants or loans for the business. “

4. A Typical Example of A Guide to Business The cashflow forecast identifies the sources and amounts of cash coming into your business and the destinations and amounts of cash going out over a given period. There are normally two columns listing forecast and actual amounts respectively. The forecast is usually done for a year or quarter in advance and divided into weeks or months. In extremely difficult cashflow situations a daily cashflow forecast might be helpful. It is paramount to choose periods during which most of your fixed costs - such as salaries - go out. The forecast lists receipts, payments, excess of receipts over payments - with negative figures shown in brackets, opening bank balance and closing bank balance. Accounting software will help you prepare your cashflow forecast, allowing you to update your projections to reflect changes in market trends or your business fortunes. Planning for seasonal peaks and troughs is simplified and you can also make 'what if' calculations. Most banks require profit and balance sheet forecasts as well as cashflow. Note that all forecast figures must relate to sums that are due to be collected and paid out, not invoices actually sent and received. The forecast is a live entity. It will need adjusting in line with long-term changes to actual performance or market trends.

5. So what are the uses of plain English? • Information should be written so that its intended audience can read, understand and act upon it straight away. • Particularly useful to ensure that plain English is used, as it is not only vital for everyone to understand what they are reading, but also has additional benefits to people who use English as a second language or people who have difficulties with understanding written text. • However, it is important to note that people with Masters degrees have approached us for help with setting up in business, as they haven’t understood any of the information they have been given! Comments such as “I’ve got a degree in teaching/psychology/journalism, not in business management” are very common.

6. Background of the ADP • Established in 1971 in order to provide support to disabled people in professional and managerial positions. • Formed to provide a forum for disabled people to share both their problems and their experiences of successful personal development and valued work, as well as to help create conditions for other disabled people to realise their full potential. • Today we number amongst our members, disabled people who are working, or who have worked, in medicine, engineering, the law, the church, the Civil Service, politics, commerce, education, the sciences and the arts, and health and social services - to name but a few! • In 2001, established the Disabled Entrepreneurs’ Network (DEN) from growing number of enquiries. DEN provides networking opportunities, work related mentoring and information services for self-employed disabled people and those setting up and running their own small businesses. Again, information is provided by disabled people for disabled people. • Acts as a signpost service for accessible and appropriate training and development and assists in looking at strategic issues around disability, small business management and self-employment.

7. Background (continued) • Currently have 2 part time employees - totalling 37 hours per week. All employees/volunteers are Disabled People working from home. • Produce a Quarterly newsletter. • 6435 enquiries in 2008 and 6036 in 2009. Due to their complex nature, many calls take hours. Over 4000 of the total enquiries in 2008 and 2009 related to self employment. All enquiries are dealt with by one part time (25 hours) member of staff and one volunteer. • Based on a membership network – no central office. • Contact is made through a post box, telephone helpline, email, etc.

8. What are our Aims? • To improve the education, training, rehabilitation, and employment opportunities available to all disabled people; • To help disabled people by encouragement and example to develop their physical and mental capacities fully; • To help disabled people to find and retain employment commensurate with their abilities and qualifications and to participate fully in the everyday life of society; • To improve public knowledge and acceptance of the capabilities, needs and problems of disabled people, particularly in relation to education and employment.

9. What do we do? • We provide a pioneering service that is marked by a common sense and practical approach! • Through our helpline, we provide tailored employment and self employment advice, information and/or peer support. • Information is provided by disabled people for disabled people on an individual basis in order to achieve the most effective outcome for the individual. • We also receive enquiries or requests for information in relation to education, employment or training issues, as well as requests to complete surveys and provide written information with regard to a variety of disability related issues from a number of organisations.

10. Setting up in Business? Due to our knowledge of self employment issues, invited to join CREATE. Led to: Development of Guide and Directory of Support. Available in all formats - Easy Read, CD , Audio, Braille, etc. Launched at British Library 20th March 2007 by Minister of State. Workshop with South East Hampshire Gateway and Cambridge - 12 disabled people attended at each. Training package developed for business advisors , based on the social model of disability with the information from the Resource Guide. Delivered to business advisors in North West, Cambridge and London. Close link with German partners – Binational May 2007 CREATE ended in Dec 2007

11. What was CREATE? CReating Equal Access To Enterprise Equal ESF funded until Dec 07. Focus on: Direct selling, franchising, licensing and social enterprise Beneficiaries included: Young people, older people and disabled people. Lead partner Exemplas Ltd., based in Hatfield. Other partners included: HMRC, British Franchise Association, Community Action Network, Direct Selling Association, National Federation of Enterprise Agencies, Small Business Service and Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative.

12. Distributed more than 3500 copies of the Guide Pack. • In various formats including Easy Read (simple words with pictures and CDs for people with learning difficulties). Very positive comments from disabled people and business advisors, alike.

13. From Advisors: "Thank you for sending me the printed resource guide and other information. I am going to find it extremely helpful I know. It is extremely 'user friendly' and it must have been very hard work to produce, so thank you again." "This pack is fantastic!" "Thank you so much for this pack, it is an absolute mine of useful information." From Disabled People: “Thanks very much for sending the info to me, the guide and materials are very useful and I've got lots of leads to look into, so thanks for setting me on my way. Your story and that of others in the literature are very inspirational and rung lots of bells with me, as well as providing encouragement." "I cannot thank you enough for producing this wonderful piece of work. Finally, I have found something that is relevant to disabled people who want to start up their own business. Please keep up the great work!"

14. What is in the Guide Pack? Resource Guide is divided into 20 sections. Designed to support disabled people and to be a resource for business advisors. Includes information in plain English on areas such as: What is self employment? What should I think about if I want to become self employed? How do I set up in business? Alternative types of business. Books and courses available to support disabled entrepreneurs. Government support for impairment related equipment and support. Hints and tips for meeting with a business advisor and the tax office. Working from home. Advising disabled people.

15. What is in the Guide Pack?(continued) Directory of Support was updated in January 2009. Includes contact information and basic description in plain English for national and regional UK organisations. Includes information on the following topics: Where do I get mentoring, help or support for starting up? Useful websites? Where do I get money for the business? Subdivided into Grants, Awards and Loans. As a disabled person, where do I get help with equipment?