That's because the president of New Century Homes in Fredericksburg, as well as seven of his eight staff members, are deaf.

Business ownership and self-employment is a popular choice for work among people with disabilities.

Peggy FaJohn, public information officer for the Richmond district office of the Small Business Administration, said disabilities create additional hurdles for those who want to get on a level playing field in the business world.

"It's even more challenging for them," she said. "It is difficult enough to start a small business and face the challenges."

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that finding and keeping work can be difficult for people with disabilities. They risk losing cash benefits, such as Social Security. And many employers don't want to work around their hindered capabilities.

"Because of my disability, I was unfortunately unable to continue in corporate America," said Ted Webster, who has cerebral palsy. He worked as a systems designer in the computer industry for 18 years.

The 46-year-old is now working with his sister and brother-in-law, Jo Ann and William Cannon, to start an outdoor wedding center--Rock Hill Plantation in Stafford.

"I really appreciate what I can do," he said. "Yes, I have a disability. But there is a difference between having a disability and being disabled. I don't think of myself as being disabled."

The 1990 Census reports that, despite high unemployment rates among people with disabilities, they are more likely to pursue self-employment than those who are not disabled.

Many of them choose that path because it offers flexible hours, allows them to set up a work environment that suits their needs and keeps them from having to answer to someone who doesn't understand their handicap, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

"Overcoming communication challenges is what I have faced as a deaf business owner," Haig said.

He uses e-mail more often than the telephone and writes notes back and forth when he meets clients face to face.

"[New Century Homes] serves as proverbial proof that deaf people can be entrepreneurs and make contributions to our American society," he said.

The home-building company is the second business Haig has opened. He started Woodland Masonry Co. in 1987. That firm eventually evolved into Woodland Construction Co., which is now the parent company for New Century Homes.

Robin and Michael Averett haven't let their hearing disabilities get in the way of their business dreams, either. The deaf couple opened Lake Anna Beach Marina about three weeks ago.

The 7.2-acre facility currently offers docks, a convenience store and boat repairs. But the Averetts are working to add at least one restaurant, a dry-dock storage for 200 to 300 boats, cottages for overnight stay, a water taxi and beach area.

The husband-and-wife team can both read lips and sign. But Robin Averett can't speak. When they are together and communicating with people who can hear, Michael will sign the spoken words for her and translate her sign language in return to keep her involved.

"I've been able to do almost everything," Robin Averett said.

Her husband said she uses e-mail and her BlackBerry so effectively that a lot of people don't even know they are talking to a deaf person until they come in and meet her. But the couple say it is frustrating sometimes because a lot of people don't understand the TTY telephone relay service for deaf people.

"They think it is a telemarketer and they hang up," Robin Averett said. But she is persistent and calls back to explain that she is deaf.

"We learn as we go along," she said. "We have been lucky."

Customers and employees who can hear are usually willing to help out. One of the merchandise vendors was in the store recently when none of the employees who can hear was available. The phone was ringing off the hook, but the Averetts didn't hear it. So, the vendor answered it.

New Century Homes also makes use of people who can hear.

Jay Madison, sales consultant for the firm, is currently the only employee there who isn't deaf. He fields a lot of phone calls and helps explain the communication situation to walk-in customers.

Interpreters are also used when the company closes on properties, to ensure clear conversation. But that doesn't always help.

"Although I have been very grateful to some volunteer sign language interpreters, they do have a lot of difficulty interpreting for my business because they did not have the background," Haig said. "There are many signs for construction words that are frequent throughout my business."

Clients and other business owners, he said, are generally very understanding when dealing with them.

"There are obviously a few barriers. But as long as you have pen and paper, it's fine," said Mac Church, a loan originator for Sterling Mortgage Corp., who collaborates with Haig's company.

Haig said his business has also been a resource for many deaf customers, who may feel more comfortable dealing with someone who understands their disability.

At Lake Anna Beach Marina, the employees who can hear are already starting to learn a little bit of sign language to communicate with the Averetts.

Ray Vaughan, who runs the business's service department, said communicating with them was difficult at first. But it gets easier the longer they work together.

"Mike can read lips and Robin we'll get a note pad if we have to," he said.

He purchased a children's sign language dictionary to learn about the communication method.

State and federal agencies offer assistance to people with disabilities. A list of programs is available at disabilityinfo.gov.

Brian Baker, director of the Small Business Development Center in Stafford, said his organization can also make accommodations for aspiring business owners with disabilities through its sponsor, the University of Mary Washington's College of Graduate and Professional Studies.

"It's nice to have [that kind of help], so you don't feel so alone," Robin Averett said.

By Meghann Cotter