Let Our Light Shine

The Future We Are Creating

I want to build a portal for handicapped people. It would include the following:

Complete, up-to-date listing of all charities for handicapped individuals

Complete, up-to-date listing of resources for handicapped individuals

Advertising dedicated to handicapped individuals including whatever is needed to work from home

Complete, up-to-date listing of educational opportunities for handicapped individuals (all levels from newborn through doctorate degree)

Complete job portal, unlike anything available today, completely dedicated to hiring the handicapped and those working from home

Advocacy for the availability of complete online, state directed educational opportunities from pre-K3 through high school (the homeless would also benefit)

Information about the tax and other benefits associated with hiring the handicapped and IRS contact information

Mentoring offered by the handicapped for the handicapped

Complete, up-to-date listing of online companies that hire individuals for direct work (not other employment agencies, although they may be evaluated)

Educational courses designed to teach the handicapped how to be productive as students, employees, and business owners

Educational courses designed to teach brick-and-mortar businesses how they can profit by taking advantage of online employees (how to manage, etc.)

This project would level the playing field for all people. Many handicaps would cease to be any kind of impediment because no one would ever need to know an individual was handicapped. When employers learn to evaluate the worth of an employee by the work produced, how it is done is of no interest as long as the work is done and done well.

How We Are Creating It

I am able to do the work required to get the project off the ground. As the site attracts members, it will become a valuable place for those selling products and services for the handicapped to advertise. In addition to donations, most of the funds generated from the advertising will go to helping those needing financial assistance.

Why I need funding:

Researchers to compile all the lists described above and keep them up-to-date (The site would be constantly updated.)

Programmers to create the job portal and web site

Social media management including blogs that are monitored

Possible need for hardware and software, especially software which is quite expensive

Travel (not until the site is well established)

Office incidentals (not very much)

What I can do:

Design and manage the programming

Start the research

Manage the project

What I am looking for:

A handicapped web developer who can use MySQL and create software that can maintain a sophisticated, detailed set of databases and provide a complete interactive experience. A resume and links to previously completed projects must be provided. I have found someone willing to help me, but he is not handicapped.

Our Story & Why You Should Support Us

I am handicapped. I would like to help create a world where that is not the first thing I feel compelled to say about myself. I am educated and capable of doing many jobs. However, the first three words of this paragraph stand in my way.

I have been looking for a job for several years and have not been able to find one. I believe that by creating an online environment that will allow people to earn a real living, I can make my job search successful. If I do it for myself, I can lead the way for others.

I once applied for a job as a web developer. I asked if it was possible to do some of my work at home. I was told that would not be permitted. I asked why considering that what I would be doing would be out on the Internet for the world to see. The man told me he just wanted to see me in the office. He needs to be trained to understand that just because he sees someone working doesn't mean that anything is getting done.

Others are reluctant to hire off-site employees because of security issues. There are companies that specialize in securing off-site employees. Companies have offices all over the world that communicate with each other securely. There is no reason why people working at home can't do the same.

I want a life. I want what everyone else takes for granted. Since I can't find someone to give it to me, I am going to find a way to give it to myself and, in the process, provide the same opportunity to all other handicapped people. There is no reason why a child born with a severe handicap can't go to school online and find a good paying job online. It's about time.