I’m going to be writing a regular series specifically targeting bloggers, freelancers, professionals and entrepreneurs with disabilities. With over 43 million Americans with disabilities/impairments (that’s nearly 1 out of 5 Americans) this series is a necessity. Of course, able-bodied individuals can take something from every article I write, as well, since the themes I cover will be (in some ways) universal to those who aspire to become self-sufficient through use of the Internet.
I make it no secret that I am in a wheelchair. For just a brief snapshot of who I am, let me tell you that I have a progressive muscle disease, Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type III. I walked until I was 16, when I went into a wheelchair, full time. I was in college for Theatre (I was quite the performer and singer back in the day) with a minor in Political Science when tragedy struck. During a routine transfer from wheelchair to shower chair, I fell and fractured my tibia. My life was changed in an instant.
I moved, with my girlfriend and our son, from our apartment at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio to a house she owned with her mother in mid-Michigan. This served two purposes. Her mother had been recently laid off by a company now stationed in Mexico. For the first time in her life, she was unemployed. For us, this gave us time for my leg to heal, which took more than a year. In the meantime, we had to find a way to put food on the table. The only thing we had luxury wise was the Internet and this gave Ashtyn (said girlfriend) the idea to find a job online.
We made a list of our skills. Ashtyn has always been a prolific writer. I wrote excellent, well written papers in college. I also can be anal retentive when it comes to grammar. So, writing and editing were at the top of our list. Add in slightly above basic HTML skills on my part, and a desire to teach myself graphic design. You have our basic plan to finding a job. While it wasn’t an easy road, within a year, we were on our way to becoming successful freelance writers. It was our hard work, perseverance, and ability to work our way up to high paying freelance jobs that made us successful.
Now that you know a little bit more about me and where I am coming from, let me throw another statistic out at you. A year ago, I read a study by the government that said 77% of disabled Americans are unemployed. I’d wager to say that due to the job and financial crisis’, that number has risen to somewhere around 85%. This means all disabilities, ranging from physical to mental or emotional disabilities such as Autism, Downs Syndrome and even Bi-Polar Disorder. For some, they simply can’t work. Others have faced workplace discrimination.
What’s surprising is that over half of those who have disabilities and also college degrees, are still unemployed. This is absolutely staggering! The issue is so big that disability rights organizations have turned to lawmakers/politicians for help. This includes finding out proposed plans for the disability unemployment rate by presidential contenders John McCain and Barack Obama. While Obama has outlined his plan, as of recently, McCain hasn’t had a thing to say on the issue. This issue isn’t going to be easily solved nor is it going to go away. That is unless we, as disabled individuals, take it upon ourselves to better our lives!
I’m 27 years old. This was not the career path I had in mind when I went to college, but I’ve made it work. I love what I do and I love all of the people I’ve met through blogging, writing and designing online. Along the way, I’ve met many other disabled entrepreneurs. Many of them had similar disabilities to my own.
Why is it working out so well for those of us with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (in particular?)? I think it is because, while many other diseases may affect the brain, SMA only affects our bodies. Our minds are whirling with ideas and plans for businesses and ways to be successful. That by no way means that anyone with a disability cannot do what we do. It just means those with other disabilities have us to rely on, to help pave the way towards success.
Do you know that nearly all of the disabled friends I have who are successful, are Internet entrepreneurs? Even the ones who have other career paths dabble at the prospect of making money online. But, why? I’ve heard that question many times in the years since I started working online. There is a simple explanation.
First, the Internet allows people access to a global audience from any location. I can work from home in my pajamas. I can lounge in bed and type if I really want to. I can work without having to go out in yucky weather. For those with disabilities, snow, rain, and high winds can all be treacherous conditions that prevent trips outside the house. Working online makes work convenient, so weather rarely ever gets in the way!
Second, the Internet allows people access to a global audience! I know I said that already, but think about this logically. You can sell products, offer services or write your life story (a la blogs/websites) and know that people from all over the world could potentially see what you have to say! How cool is that? A global market means you could be working for anyone from Japan to England. It also means that you can make a lot more money than in a 9 to 5 job.
I’m sure that by now you’re probably asking yourself how do you sign up? I should make it clear that working online (for yourself) has many amazing rewards. There is no boss to tell you what to do. There is no need to tell the clients you work with about your disability. The Internet allows for such anonymity. Besides, who really cares what you abilities are, so long as you can get the job done? Working for yourself online also allows you to make your own schedule. Work when you want, as you want. How often you work and what you put into your online career will determine how much money you end up making.
So, if you’ve read this, you’re raring to go and you’re certain this is the career path for you, follow these steps to be on your way to becoming an Internet Guru.
#1 - Determine What you Want to Do
You can offer a service or products. Do you want to sell things online? Do you make your own jewelry or weave baskets? You can sell products online by getting your own webpage. If your item becomes popular, you may even get retailers to sell it. If you determine you want to offer a service, think about what services you can offer. Some services that you can provide include: writing, sound work (sound effects - music files) web design, virtual assistant positions, SEO advice, tips and specialty, marketing, software development, graphic design, web design, game design, and more.
Another option is running a blog. Do you have an interesting life? Are you an expert at something? Do you have a particularly interesting hobby? Write about what you know. Show you’re an expert, promote your blog, and you’ll be on your way to one day (possibly) living a dot com lifestyle.
#- Make a Plan
Decide how you’re going to go about making your company/yourself successful. Maybe you’ll hire an SEO/Marketing firm to help. You can also research SEO and marketing on your own. Read excellent blogs about online marketing and making yourself successful, such as Shoemoney and Pro Blogger. They have great tips and plenty of advice concerning being successful online.
Once you have your plan, follow it through. You made this plan for a reason, so stick with it. Still, don’t be afraid to try something new. Consider following the advice of others who’ve paved the way, for you, by being successful online.
#3 - Tweak your Plan to Make it Work for you
Not every work plan is going to be successful. Re-Evaluate your plan a few months down the road to see what is working and what isn’t. Consider changing your plan to suit your needs. I’ve had many failures before I’ve found success. You just need to be consistent. If you know your plan is a winner, keep at it! Money isn’t made overnight. Well, at least not initially.
Having a disability does not have to be a barrier when you try to make yourself successful online. The Internet is your oyster. Now, all you have to do is dive in head first to find that pearl.
Technorati Tags: disability, internet, oyster, job, blogging, writing, entrepreneur, business, work online
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Don't hate me for wanting to be your own personal God!
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