Just to add another point to what has already been suggested (all good advise
by the way). I'd also like to suggest that your friend learns more about
computers and the internet. Perhaps he can attend some classes for beginners
and develop on that. The internet is a level field where handicaps do not
matter.
Plus, for small businesses, the internet can be a source of cheap marketing
and brand/business development.

I recently started a coffee shop I utilize the SBA business plan template and
got started inexpensively with some network marketing pals. Check out my site
for product info www.wychecoffee.organogold.com/r/US/

There are a few books that cover starting up a coffee shop.  One of them is The Complete Idiots Gude to Running a Coffee Shop.  Look online or at a local book store.  Believe it or not, there are a lot of resources on this exact subject.   As for the handicapped aspect, you may follow some of the other advice here and contact SCORE.    My favorite coffee shop was just closed and locked out by their landlord.  All the equipment remains property of the landlord now, so anyone looking to start a coffee shop could do so for cheap by working a deal with the property owner.  If you can find one of those situations near you, that would be an excellent way to get started.

As stated, you find a SCORE or small business development center in your area - both are free. Or try the SBA's web site: http://www.sba.gov/ For capital - first find out what you need - the amount that it will take to get the store up and running - until it breaks-even - this could be figured out via a business plan. Then search for options that fit each of your specific needs - the likelihood of getting an all-inclusive loan are slim - but, you might be able to piece together the funds you need - just make sure that you develop a plan with the most basic of needs. Computer - this is a technology world - and you will need to understand how computers works in order to efficiently run your business. Find a local community college and take a couple of courses to get up to speed.

BizResearcher gave some great advice. Here are some other resources that can help you friend get started. Utah Small Business Guide - a comprehensive resource about the steps you need to take to start, register, apply for licenses and permits, incorporate, pay taxes, hire, and abide by regualations. Business Resources for Disabled People - training, financing, tax and trade information for disabled entrepreneurs Food Beverage Industry Guide - if his coffee shop serves food, his business will need to comply with food safety and other related regulations There are a number of financing options he can look into. Loans - Use our Loans and Grants Tool to see what his business may be eligible for. If he needs $35K or less, he can look into the SBA Microloan Program as well. Bootstrapping - involves pinching together a mixture of supplemental income, credit cards, stock investments, revolving lines of credit, and loans.

Your friend may want to visit a small business development center or a SCORE office in your area. The counseling is free and the counselor can answer most of your questions and more. Since your friend has no experience, he might want to seek employment at a coffee shop, deli or another small, related business so he can learn how the business works. The experience will also help him develop ideas about how he wants to structure his shop to make it unique and customer-friendly. He may also want to take computer classes. He will need basic computer skills as well as knowledge of how point-of-sale (POS) programs work. He should begin working on his business plan. He will need one before he can apply for funding assistance and writing one will help him focus his ideas and force him to do the required market research, including researching the necessary equipment and costs. The plan should include financial projections, which will allow your friend to know how much money he needs to start the business and his anticipated income. An SBDC or SCORE counselor can help with the business plan.