Can blind persons attend functions?

Whenever someone asks me this question my immediate response is "and why not?" This is a frequently asked question and you know what? I always try to be polite in my responses. There is still much for the sighted world to learn and discover when it comes to how blind persons live, work, and socialize. We can definitely attend functions but there are slight differences in the way we interact with others at functions.

Because we are unable to see others, we need to use our ears to help us identify others at functions. We need to depend on sighted assistance to help us navigate our way around at functions. We need to depend on others to help us meet others. We need others to help us navigate buffet tables, find our seats, and find our places at tables. We need others to help us with visual cues.

This is the picture for a blind person when attending functions. It may sound cumbersome to a sighted person but not really. Once you get the hang of things then it's not too bad. It can be a lot of fun. Can blind persons attend functions?

Whenever someone asks me this question my immediate response is "and why not?" This is a frequently asked question and you know what? I always try to be polite in my responses. There is still much for the sighted world to learn and discover when it comes to how blind persons live, work, and socialize. We can definitely attend functions but there are slight differences in the way we interact with others at functions.

Because we are unable to see others, we need to use our ears to help us identify others at functions. We need to depend on sighted assistance to help us navigate our way around at functions. We need to depend on others to help us meet others. We need others to help us navigate buffet tables, find our seats, and find our places at tables. We need others to help us with visual cues.

This is the picture for a blind person when attending functions. It may sound cumbersome to a sighted person but not really. Once you get the hang of things then it's not too bad. It can be a lot of fun.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and help educate the rest of the world as to how blind persons navigate their way when attending functions. Visit www.acb.org to learn more.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and help educate the rest of the world as to how blind persons navigate their way when attending functions. Visit www.acb.org to learn more.

The right to try

Greetings and I am Scott Savoy, managing editor at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca.
It is the last weekend of January and hopefully February will just zip by enabling us to scoot in to March and promise of a beautiful spring.
Today, I am pleased to share an editorial by our president Donna J. Jodhan; the right to try. This is a very thought provoking editorial and I encourage you to read on.
Have a great weekend.

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The right to try
By Donna J. Jodhan

We are living in a world where we are constantly being challenged to defend our rights; the right to social and medical services, the right to information, and practically the right to everything that everyone else has a right to. I could go on and on to what rights we need to have access to and there is someone out there who will gently remind me that I either forgot to add a certain right or that I should not have mentioned a certain one.

All well and good but I’d like to add just one more to the growing list; the right to try. In a world where we are constantly struggling to understand why certain groups should or should not be given access to certain services and facilities, I humbly submit that the right to try is a basic right of us all. If anything, we should all be given the right to try even if this right may be seen by some as one that may be either in vein or a complete waste of time.

Everyone deserves the right to try because one never knows what could happen. There is nothing like trying and nothing better than being able to succeed. Sometimes, we may think that we have tried everything that we can with regard to a certain project or task but then along comes someone else and bingo! A fresh pair of eyes or a recharged mind and presto! Success!

Just my thoughts 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

Blindness is not contagious

Maybe this is a touchy topic for many; but here goes. When I was growing up, I found that many persons, both kids and adults alike were often afraid to approach me and other blind kids. I often used to think that maybe and just maybe, they may have been feeling that if they came too close to me, they too would become blind. Things have improved over the years but there is still that hesitance especially so on the part of adults.

I am finding more and more that younger persons are not afraid to approach blind people. They are much less inhibited and not afraid to engage in conversations with us. For anyone who is hesitant to become friends with a blind person: Blindness is definitely not contagious. You can certainly become friends with us. You would be quite surprised to know and learn what great friends we can be.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and spread the word about how you can become friends with blind persons.
Visit www.nfb.org to learn more.

The fear of losing sight

Greetings! I'm Christian Robicheau, assistant editor at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca. Ah yes, it is a cold one today but thereis hope for a warmer one tomorrow.
Today, our president Donna J. Jodhan shares an editorial with us; the fear of losing sight and it is indeed a very somber topic. I urge you to read this one.
Enjoy your day.

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The fear of losing sight
By Donna J. Jodhan

In a recent survey, Canadians were asked what they feared most and to no one’s surprise; the fear of losing sight came out on top. As someone who was born blind, I have had the experience of gaining a terrific amount of vision when I was a teen only to lose it seven years ago.

When I gained it my whole world changed. I went from someone who was only able to see light, shadows, objects close up and colors to someone whose world opened wide. I learned to do so many new things, see so many new things, and read and write. It was a blast but alas! Nothing lasts for ever.

Seven years ago my vision went in the space of six months and I watched helplessly so to speak as it deteriorated right in front of me. I was scared and I was petrified but I had to console myself with telling myself that I was returning to my roots so to speak; but this time with less than I had originally started out with.

At first, I said to myself that fate had played a dirty trick on me but then reality kicked in and I had to grapple with the situation. Then when reality had sunk in I was scared but with time it slowly sank into oblivion and I have used this to help others.

So just imagine what it would be like for someone who is born with full sight and then they either lose it over a period of time or rather quickly? Both circumstances can be equally as traumatic in their own way. To realize that you are losing your vision with time is scary because you do knot know when that day will come that you can no longer see or you do not know how much you are going to lose.

In the case of losing it all at once! I don’t think that anyone can really put into words the feelings, emotions, and state of mind. Try extremely scared, bitter, confused, traumatized, and in a short a two-handed punch to the ribs.

Just my two cents worth for today but I am here if anyone wishes to take advantage of my experience.


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

Appliances are a challenge

There used to be a time when I as a blind person was able to navigate the buttons on the panels of my appliances without having to ask for sighted assistance. Buttons and knobs on washers and dryers were big enough for me to feel and touch, you could set levels of water and temperatures by counting off the clicks, and you could do other things by simply memorizing how many clicks to the left or right, etc.

A few months ago, I had to replace my washer and dryer and thank goodness I was able to find a small appliance store that sold washers and dryers with manageable buttons. Many of the appliances today are dominated by touch screens and digital displays and this makes life more difficult for someone who is unable to see. Some appliances even have lights to indicate certain things and this too is not very good for a blind person.

In the good old days, I only had to ask for sighted assistance once when I was learning the position of the buttons but all this has changed. I know, we are now in the digital age and that can't be helped but how I wish that someone can come along and develop a gadget for blind persons to use with digital displays and touch screens. Thank goodness I have a talking microwave but my toaster oven is a challenge for me.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and help educate the rest of the world about the challenges that blind persons face when it comes to appliances with digital displays and touch screens. Visit www.maxiaids.com to learn more.
Visit

The right to sport

Greetings! I'm Scott Savoy, managing editor at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca and a very happy new year to all of our readers.
I hope that everyone had an enjoyable Christmas/holiday season and that 2012 is a smashing one for all.
Today, I'd like to start the new year with our usual weekly editorial from our president Donna J. Jodhan; all about the right to sport.
Enjoy your weekend.

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The right to sport
By Donna J. Jodhan

So many of us take for granted the ability to take advantage of recreational sports; whether it is sponsored by our city/community or it is done on a personal level. The mainstream world probably does not think too much about this but for blind persons the right to sport is not always available let alone reachable.

With the emphasis being placed more and more on fitness, it is important that blind persons not be left out. At the best of times, we as blind persons have to depend on others in order to be able to take advantage of recreational sports. We need sighted help to do such things as swim in community pools, use city and community facilities, and go ice skating, skiing, and participate in other types of winter sports.

With an increasing trend to becoming and staying fit, and with the emphasis being placed more on older persons being able to take advantage of recreational sports, I do hope that blind persons will be able to benefit as well. It is so important for us to do this. In the real world, it is difficult for us to access most recreational sports on our own so we need to let the appropriate authorities know of our desires and demands.

As an avid ice skater, I have managed to keep up my activity by working with recreational centers in my city and I do my best to be a participant in various clubs that cater to blind participants. Here’s hoping for more opportunities for blind persons to participate in recreational sports.


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