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Do the rich have a monopoly on Buddhism?
so today in my learning of Buddhism I hit a very big bump (at least from my understanding of things) that may throw the cart right off the track sadly. I learned that you must have a teacher (a physical teacher or guru) to attain enlightenment. This makes me really sad. I live in a place in the United States..well its a small town. The nearest I can tell that a teacher would be is 200 + miles away or more! Even if there is someone in Washington D.C that is still quite a bit away from me. I am poor and disabled (just the facts no sympathy seeking) have no way of traveling this distance to perhaps pay someone to teach me! All i can do is read books which I have heard is not enough (i understand this, but it is just difficult for me to grasp not being able to attain enlightenment unless someone is teaching me person to person) Also...as I was watching a program on Buddhism (its one with teachers and students talking about various subjects,Richard gere, keanu reeves etc) its seems like everyone is affluent, i dont see anyone who is truly just your basic joe. Forgive me for saying this but, I dont think Buddha wanted to exclude the poor in gaining enlightenment, but when you have to pay 300 or more dollars to attend a seminar, that is...bs. (looking at an ad in a certain buddhist magazine) I dont mean to offend anyone, but it bothers me and saddens me that perhaps I cant gain enlightenment 
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Don't get the wrong idea. I know Keeanu etc.. Actually you have a precious human birth if you get disability income. You can practice all day like a monk instead of working. Thats what I do. I have much more time to receive the dharma. I think my disability might be a blessing.
Having a teacher helps, but teachers can come in many different forms, and not necessarily ones that require financial obligation on your part.
Welcome to Virginia
Mtns
PS: Whoever it was that said you can't attain enlightenment without having a teacher has obviously never heard of this guy who lived a long time ago named Prince Siddhartha, aka the Buddha. He didn't have a guru, and he's fairly widely acknowledged to have become enlightened. I'm amazed anyone who considers himself or herself to be a Buddhist would even think such a thing, much less say it out loud!
I am in Strasburg, Virginia (northern va)...nearest cities are Manassas,Winchester,Fairfax.
The importance of a teacher for one to one instruction varies from one tradition to the next. In some traditions it isn't such a big deal at all, and in others it is vital. So maybe look into different traditions
Secondly, in the world of internet, you have many more options than were once available.
Someone here for example posted a link to this : http://www.treeleaf.org/index.html
Tree leaf sangha is an online sangha in the Soto Zen tradition. There is a discussion forum like this one (except it only discusses within the Soto Zen tradition) you can have one on one discussion with the teachers, they have an online meditation hall...basically a zendo with a camera so you can sit with others there, online retreats and services.
Basically everything you would have with a Temple close by.
With my own Jodo Shinshu Temple's future very much in doubt (90 % of members are 70 or older, and no new members are coming in) and since I was originally practicing Soto, I may adopt Tree Leaf as my Buddhist home once/if the local Temple closes.
If you look around I'm sure you can find something online.
But please remember, the most powerful authority you have to guide you, ultimately - is yourself.
The Buddha recommended we take nothing at face value - and that includes 'teachers' and what they teach. 'Ehi Passeiko' means 'come and see for yourself'. Using the eyes, lips, ears and mind of another, is still relying on something outside of yourself to delineate what is skilful and what is not.
Your own discernment, evaluation and logical and discriminating thinking will be the yardstick by which you measure everything.
I have come across highly elevated Lamas and Gurus, with whom I did not agree.
I have come across "simple" laypeople, Bikkhus and Bikkhunis who have demonstrated a diamond clarity and dazzling truth in their simple words.
Many have been on this here forum, even....
But I've still had to consider their words, and whether in fact they resonated or not....
Ultimately, friend - YOU are the best teacher you could ever hope to find.
You do not need a personal teacher, like some stated previously, the buddha did not have a teacher and he in fact stated that no1 should be his successor. The teacher for us should be the dharma itself. Although having an ajahn would help, it is not something necessary, tom