Steve Jobs a man forever

Greetings! I'm Scott Savoy, managing editor at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca and today I have the pleasure of closing off October.
I know that the holiday season is fast approaching so hang on to your seatbelts.
Today, our president Donna J. Jodhan has a very moving editorial to share with you. One that I know she wrote after the death of Steve Jobs.
I hope you find it great reading.
I wish you a great weekend.

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Steve Jobs a man forever

No one can dispute the fact that this man was so many things to so many people. Not just the co-founder and former CEO of Apple INC, but a visionary, a leader, a technological giant, someone who understood the needs of the market, and above all; someone who dared to go where so many are still afraid to go.

Steve Jobs did for the disabled world what so many are either still not willing or able to do or do not understand how to do it. Under his leadership, Apple designed and incorporated accessibility into their product lines. He opened a world for the blind community so that today, access to Apple's mobile devices is no longer a dream but a mere reality. We as blind consumers can now use IPods, IPhones, and IPads just like anyone else; we have now become a part of the mainstream world. No more having to wait for another manufacturer to decide when they would be ready to include us as consumers. No more having to buy additional access technology software to incorporate it into mainstream technology so that we can use the mainstream technology like anyone else.

In other words: When blind persons buy Apple products, they can buy it straight off the shelf and use it like anyone else. They do not have to purchase access technology at exorbitant prices and then install or incorporate it into mainstream technology. Now we can download our own music without sighted assistance and we can communicate with the rest of the world whenever we want and wherever we choose.

For years now, several blind musicians have been telling me how much they enjoy using Apple products to work with music. Much easier, less problems with software, and above all much less costly. Steve Jobs has opened up an entire new landscape for blind consumers and we can only hope that his successors continue on in his footsteps.

Thank you Steve Jobs. I personally am eternally grateful to you for your vision, your innovation, and your insight. The world has lost a giant and history may not be able to duplicate your great works but your memory will live on for generations to come.

My two cents worth for today.


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
Weekly features on how to increase your success with your business ventures
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm
Weekly articles and editorials on issues about accessibility
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog
A monthly editorial on issues on diversity
http://www.diversityintheworkplace.ca

Going to the movies

Much of the sighted world still has the notion that for blind persons, going to the movies is either not possible or probable. Or, that for blind persons, going to the movies may even be a waste of time. I can see why this misconception would be present but I'll try to clear it up.

The sighted world probably feels that if you are unable to see then you are unable to follow what's going on in the movie. This is partially true and often time we miss out on a lot when we are able to decipher what is going on during those periods of silence. We can use our sense of hearing to fill in many gaps but there is much that our sense of hearing would not be able to supply to us. We can accurately surmise what's going on when the sound of gun fire is heard, sounds of scuffling and fighting, sounds of persons in love scenes, and son. However, the fine details are almost often beyond our reach.

Things have improved for us greatly at the movies over the last decade and thanks to descriptive videos and movies our world has opened up a great deal. More and more, videos, DVDs, and movies are being developed to include audio descriptions. I am going to leave you with a very informative website to check out and you can see for yourself what audio description is all about. Visit www.wgbh.org.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and encouraging you to go out there and spread the word about audio descriptions and descriptive videos.

Start with the kids

Greetings! I'm Christian Robicheau, assistant editor at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca.
It is a beautiful fall weekend and I hope that wherever you are, you are enjoying those beautiful fall colors.
Today, our president Donna J. Jodhan has a great editorial for you; all about how we should start with our kids.
I wish you a great weekend.

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Start with the kids

In a world where we continue to struggle with so many things, how to get things done, when to get them done, what to get done, and why we must do it all, it may be a good idea for us to take a deep breath and leave it all to the kids. Yes, the kids! and why not?

Kids are the ones who are the most innocent of us all. They are never afraid to tell the truth. They are extremely unabashed when it comes to honesty. They trust easily and if you are seeking to get your message across to the rest of the world, then they are probably the best and most effective messengers that you will ever find.

Ask them a question and they tell no lies. Give them an idea and they are lightning quick to run with it, develop it, and embellish it. Wet their imaginations and you'll see how quickly they turn dreams into reality or something very close to it.

Kids are ever so quick to get the meaning and in the simplest of ways while we adults find it so difficult at times to even get off the mark. They are the best messengers and for my money, we should start with them if we are serious about wanting to share our messages and spread them around. Something for me to consider when next I wish to convey a message on the subject of accessibility.


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
Weekly features on how to increase your success with your business ventures
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm
Weekly articles and editorials on issues about accessibility
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog
A monthly editorial on issues on diversity
http://www.diversityintheworkplace.ca

The daunting statistics

Many more blind persons are unemployed or under employed than employed and it's a chronic problem that is also a global one. The stats range from a figure of about 70% to over 80% so take your pick. This problem does not seem to be going away and will not go away unless we change attitudes and break down barriers in the workplace, on the Internet, and elsewhere.

I have been very fortunate to have worked for three of Canada's best companies; the Royal Bank of Canada, the Bank of Montreal, and IBM Canada and I am truly grateful for many of the experiences that I have managed to garner from my employment. However, there are still so many things that need to be addressed when it comes to employment of blind persons.

I have been working for myself for the past 15 years and I truly enjoy it but again as an entrepreneur like other sighted entrepreneurs, there are challenges to face and as a blind entrepreneur, it is even more challenging. Somehow we have to work to lower the statistics that I have listed above.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and help spread the word that yes! Blind persons can indeed become contributing members of society. Just give them a chance. Visit www.rnib.org or www.afb.org to learn more.

One of the most misunderstood groups

Greetings! I'm Scott Savoy, managing editor at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca.
I hope that everyone is enjoying their October thus far and today, I have a very insightful editorial to share with you. Written by our president Donna J. Jodhan, this editorial focuses on how much society fails to understand the blind community.
I wish you a great weekend.

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One of the most misunderstood groups
By Donna J. Jodhan

Would it be fair to say that in general, the blind community could be one of the most misunderstood groups? If so, then why? Could it be that we are misunderstood because maybe and just maybe, the mainstream society has probably not taken enough time to get to know us? Or maybe is it because that they have not been exposed to our world enough?

I guess that we could probably offer several explanations for this but at the end of the day, this is the situation. As for my humble opinion, I offer these possibilities:
I believe that when it comes to blind persons in general, most of our mainstream society have somehow managed to erect artificial barriers towards us. These would include attitude, perception, and belief.

Let us first look at attitude. There seems to exist an attitude from many mainstream persons that blind persons should probably be viewed as not being fully able to be contributors to society. In short, we may be viewed more as persons who need to be helped rather than as persons who can help ourselves as well as others. The attitude may be one that includes the view that we are not fully able to take our places in the workplace and accordingly we are unable to attain enough spending power to look after ourselves. As a result, we need to be enrolled in support programs that can help to bolster our disposable incomes.

Perception: Much of our society may be guilty of having the wrong perception of blind persons; we are often viewed as not being able to think and do for ourselves. We are often seen as being helpless, easy prey for thieves, hackers, and bullies, and we are frequently seen as not important enough to receive certain core services. Evidence of this is often exhibited by both governments and companies in that whenever the going gets tough, the first set of services to be cut are those to the disabled and to the blind in particular. These circumstances often occur during unfavourable economic conditions.

Belief: Believe it or not, there are certain cultures that genuinely feel that blind persons are better off being shut off from society; in homes and away from the glares and stares of society. Or that they are better off not being seen or heard. There are even some cultures that honestly believe that we as a group should not be considered equally to the rest of society because of our disability.

Attitude, perception, and belief; these in my humble opinion seem to be the three main barriers that are responsible for us not being fully understood as persons, contributors, and as part of society. These are the three main barriers that we as a group have to face and ones that we need to tackle if we hope to turn things around in a positive way.


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
Weekly features on how to increase your success with your business ventures
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm
Weekly articles and editorials on issues about accessibility
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog
A monthly editorial on issues on diversity
http://www.diversityintheworkplace.ca

As a blind woman

Being a woman has its unique set of challenges in the business world but as a blind woman? Well, there are added challenges to face and there is more for me to add. I am of mixed race; Oriental mix, Part Chinese, part East Indian, and part Italian. When people ask me if I am discriminated against most as a woman, as a blind person, or as someone of mixed race, my answer is very quick in coming. I am discriminated against most as a blind person.

As someone of mixed race living in Canada, I have not really had much to face as far as discrimination goes and the same could be said for being a woman. However, as a blind person, I am unable to say the same. There is definitely a glass ceiling when it comes to career opportunities for blind persons in the workplace. In speaking to several other blind persons, the feeling persists that blind men have more of an opportunity to climb the corporate ladder or progress in their careers than blind women.

I often joke that in reality I have three strikes against me and in the game of baseball this would mean that I would be out at the plate; but I do not let this keep me back. I am a blind woman of mixed race and that's that. I cannot change any of this so I live with it and make the best of it. In short, I play with the cards that I have been dealt.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and asking you to go out there and help to create more understanding of the needs and desires of blind persons. For more information, please contact me at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca.

Is justice just for the rich?

Greetings and I'd like to wish a very happy Thanksgiving to all Canadians.
I'm Christian Robicheau, assistant editor at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca and on this long holiday weekend for Canadians, our president Donna J. Jodhan has a very sobering editorial to share with us.
I wish everyone a great holiday weekend and a happy Thanksgiving with their families.

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Is justice just for the rich?
By Donna J. Jodhan

A few months ago, one of my favorite cab drivers asked me this question as we were driving down the crowded Don Valley Parkway in Toronto. He was mulling over the fact that just a few years ago, our Federal Government decided to put an end to the Court Challenges Program; a program that up until then, had been used by those Canadians who could not afford the services of lawyers to launch charter challenges.

In a nutshell: The program had been established way back in the 80s by the government of the day to enable those Canadians who could not otherwise afford to, to launch charter challenges against the government if they felt that the government was trampling on their rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights. In other words: If a person honestly felt that the government was not honouring their rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights, they could use this particular program to find a lawyer who would be willing to fight their case.

The majority of applicants or beneficiaries under this program were members of minority groups, disabled groups, and members of Aboriginal groups but now that this program is no longer in existence, the questions being asked are these: Where can these persons go in order to obtain adequate funding and representation in order to have their voices heard? Are there other alternatives open to them? Why did the government find it necessary to chop this particular program?

In the normal scheme of things, the groups mentioned above are unfortunately unable to afford adequate funding and representation and they are the ones whose rights are often trampled upon. The government knows this only too well so I humbly ask again; why did they find it necessary to cut one of the only affective programs that gave these groups a way to speak up for themselves? Can we conclude then that in our beloved country, justice is just for the rich? Just my two cents worth for today.

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
Weekly features on how to increase your success with your business ventures
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm
Weekly articles and editorials on issues about accessibility
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog
A monthly editorial on issues on diversity
http://www.diversityintheworkplace.ca

Half empty or half full?

This is one of the questions that I constantly continue to ask myself and I guess that if I am a positive person as I usually am, I would say that the glass is half full. However, there are many other blind persons who would take the opposite opinion.

For me, the glass is half full because despite my challenges I still somehow manage to come out on top and I have so many things to be thankful for. For my parents, family, and friends; plus my undying ability to dream, create, and try. Most of all, my deep and unshakeable faith in God. For others, the glass is half empty because there is so much that they have to deal with; a disability, no family close by, and not too many friends. In addition, many blind persons also have to deal with secondary and even tertiary challenges.

More and more blind persons are having to deal with such things as loss of hearing, physical disabilities, plus so much more. No wonder they find it difficult to see the glass as half full. We all need to work together to change this and I am asking you to help spread the word.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and asking you to go out there and help spread the word that blind persons often have to face additional challenges in addition to their loss of sight. Visit www.nfb.org or www.acb.org to learn more.

We must not compromise

Greetings! I'm Scott Savoy, managing editor at www.sterlingcreations.ca and today, it is a big hello to October.
I am pleased to introduce our weekly editorial by our president Donna J. Jodhan and today, Donna has a message for blind and partially sighted persons; "We must not compromise."
I wish you a great weekend.

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We must not compromise

This is the one thing that the blind and sight impaired community needs to keep uppermost in there minds. We must not compromise. Whenever we demand something which we feel is our legitimate right to have, we must not compromise. Whenever we demand services that are otherwise available to the mainstream person, we must not compromise. What am I referring to today?

If for example we were to ask our government to provide us with a service that would give us equal access to information on health services, we need to ensure that these services satisfy our entire needs. If our government were to say that it would do it but we would not be able to receive certain services, or not receive it in all of the available alternate formats, we need to say no! There is not going to be any compromise.

Compromising is not a bad thing if it means that all stakeholders end up getting what they set out to get, but when it comes to us not being able to get something because the provider does not feel that it is necessary to provide the entire service, then here is where the problem starts. In most cases, when it comes to issues that pertain directly to the blind and sight impaired, the word compromise often means having to do without an important piece of the puzzle. There should not be really any reason why a provider would want to compromise. It's either all or nothing and for too long the blind community has had to put up with compromise.

Shortcuts or the cutting of corners are also no reason for compromise. We as a community need to start our own rules. Compromise is no longer an alternative because there is no need for it. Compromise often leads to having something that does not really fulfill the need. Just my two cents worth for today.


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
Weekly features on how to increase your success with your business ventures
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm
Weekly articles and editorials on issues about accessibility
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog
A monthly editorial on issues on diversity
http://www.diversityintheworkplace.ca