Inspired by working with disabled people who weren’t able to use technology, Grant Joiner set up Able IT to help make IT accessible to all. Here he talks to Startups.co.uk about how he did it.

Name: Grant Joiner
Age: 22
Business: Able IT
Type of business: Making technology inclusive to all
Start date: February 2004

When did you first decide you wanting start your own business?

It’s been a dream of mine for ages now. Since I was knee high I have had an image in my head of driving along the road and seeing an office with my company name on, silly but truthful.

Tell us about your business
Able IT is an access academy that provides  technological solutions to make the internet and its relevant technologies inclusive to all. We do this by offering accessible website design and development and website accessibility and usability auditing.

Was it your first business idea and where did it come from?
My first idea was conceived back in 2000, it was 14219.co.uk. An internet portal targeted at the teenage market. It covers news, gossip, communications, topical issues and much more. After a rapid growth I sold the business in 2001. After that I decided I needed some stability in my life and went back into full-time employment. Then came along my vision of Able IT.

Was your decision to start a business inspired by any other companies or individuals?
It was inspired by people around me that have difficulties trying to access, navigate and interact with websites.

What makes you think there’s a market for your business?
There are over 8.5 million people in the UK with some form of disability and a vast majority of those cannot access, navigate and interact with websites in the way you or I do.

Also the Disabilities Discrimination Act 1995 stated that any business or individual providing a service or product to the general public needs to take reasonable steps to ensure their mediums are accessible. This obviously extends to websites and email communications

Once you’d decided to start a business, what did you do first?
Stupid really, but I decided on a company name and registered it via Companies House. The next logical steps was to create a business plan.

What research did you do?
I used Adept Disability Equality a lot in the market research as they have had many years experience in inclusive communications, training and access auditing.

Does the government need to provide more help to people trying to start a business?
Certainly. I did try to contact Business Link Hertfordshire several times, contacting them via the online form but after four attempts and two phone calls l doubt much will happen.

Talk us through the process of writing your business plan.
Before l wrote the business plan the concept seemed rather daunting. However when l applied for a business account application form through HSBC they also sent me a Business Plan builder which was invaluable.

How useful has your business plan been and do you think you’ll stick to it as your business begins to grow?
My business has developed at a rate l never expected so the business plan is some what out of date but l am trying to update is a regularly as possible. It does help to keep your mind focused at times and when times get hard just refer back to your business plan and all your dreams come flooding back !

How much did it cost to start the business?
Well apart from thousands of personal man hours l would say £4,500 initially but at least £600 a month to keep advertising, sponsorships, etc

How did you fund this?
This was mainly personal funds but l also got a credit card to help me through some of the harder times.