Designing Inclusive Entrepreneurial Education: A Framework for Empowering Disabled Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurship education has the power to transform lives, particularly for individuals with disabilities who often face limited opportunities in traditional employment. Beyond teaching business skills, it can provide confidence, independence, and a stronger sense of social inclusion. Yet in Malaysia, the potential of entrepreneurship education to support disabled entrepreneurs has not been fully realised. Many still encounter significant barriers with restricted access to training, limited financial support, and weak professional networks that make it difficult to start and sustain their ventures. Although policies such as the National Entrepreneurship Policy (NEP) 2030 emphasise inclusivity, many existing programmes remain generalised and fail to reflect the diverse needs of people with disabilities. This mismatch leads to low participation and limited effectiveness, raising important questions about how entrepreneurship education can be reimagined to be more inclusive and impactful. This study seeks to close that gap by exploring how disabled entrepreneurs in Malaysia experience entrepreneurship education—its accessibility, relevance, and outcomes. Using both theoretical insights and empirical evidence, the research aims to design a framework for inclusive entrepreneurial education that responds directly to the needs of this community. The proposed framework highlights not only the importance of customised training and accessible delivery methods but also the role of supportive ecosystems that connect education with finance, mentorship, and networks.By doing so, this study hopes to contribute practical solutions for policymakers, educators, and practitioners, while supporting Malaysia’s wider vision of inclusive and equitable economic growth.