Disabled but determined: challenges faced by entrepreneurs in Selangor, Malaysia during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The year 2020 was a challenging year for the world and Malaysia particularly, as the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic became a health crisis that resulted in extreme measures to curb the spread of the virus. This study examined the challenges faced by disabled entrepreneurs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Twenty of 51 disabled entrepreneurs who have successfully participated in the Selangor Youth Community Leadership Entrepreneurship Acceleration and Development (SAY LEAD) program with different types of disabilities, ages, marital statuses, educational levels, and types of business were recruited using purposive sampling. The inclusion criteria included being registered as a person with disability with the Malaysia Department of Social Welfare, was born in Selangor or currently living in Selangor for at least five years, aged from 18 to 40 years old, and applied for SAY LEAD program. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews enabling the interviewee to share personal experiences and perceptions on challenges in managing their business during the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of participants were male (80%, n=16), aged between 31 and 35 years old (35%, n=7), single (65%, n=13), and physically disabled (60%, n=12). The transcripts of the interviews were subjected to thematic analysis. The emerging themes were that disabled entrepreneurs were restricted in their physical movement during Movement Control Order (MCO), have financial problems, and have health risks that needed them to reconcile between business and family commitments. The study suggests that the use of technology in doing business, attending online seminars and classes during the pandemic, and getting financial support from the government are the coping strategies to overcome the challenges faced by disabled entrepreneurs.