Living in a big city

Greetings! I'm Scott Savoy, managing editor at www.sterlingcreations.ca.
Well, we are very much into the month of February and today, I am pleased to introduce the weekly editorial by our president Donna J. Jodhan.
This week, Donna talks about what it is like to live in a big city as a blind person.
I wish you a great weekend.

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Living in a big city
By Donna J. Jodhan

In a city that never sleeps! Where everyone is focused on getting to their destination at any given time and where the main objective is to stay ahead of the game; we need to remember the needs of our disabled community. So many of us are taken up with doing our best to keep our heads above water so just imagine what it is like for the disabled.

Many of them have to struggle to stay as independent as they can but in so doing they need a bit of help and support. They need to be able to shop at supermarkets that provide shopping assistance. They need to have access to social amenities and sporting activities. They need to be able to get around independently on public transit and if there are challenges, then there needs to be some sort of volunteer service that they can access in order to help them cope.

More often than not, disabled residents of a big city have difficulty getting to medical appointments. Their social lives are greatly impeded because of distance and an inability to obtain adequate transportation. Above all, they do not have the financial ability to pay for what is needed. Then there is the difficulty of being able to negotiate busy streets that are not outfitted with audible pedestrian crossing signals. Malls and restaurants that do not have accessible ramps and washrooms. The same for cinemas and theatres. Sidewalks that are often cluttered with not just persons, but with objects lying around.

I think that you have the picture by now. Not easy living in a big city as a disabled person.


I'm Donna J. Jodhan wishing you a terrific day and weekend.
To reach me, please send an email to info@sterlingcreations.ca and I would be delighted to send you an electronic copy of our latest newsletter.

Here is a complete list of where you can view Donna's blogs and editorials.
Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com
a weekly feature on important answers to consumers concerns
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm
Weekly blogs for language professionals and accessibility consultants
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog
A monthly editorial on issues on diversity
http://www.diversityintheworkplace.ca