My favorite colors

For as long as I can remember, yellow has always been my favorite color; as a child when my vision was just a bit, as a teen when I received much more, and even now when I have precious little. Yellow has always reminded me of happy things and happy times.

When I was a kid, I had to have a yellow cup, a yellow plate, and a yellow saucer and a yellow bowl. I loved and cherished my yellow Sunday dress, the one that I wore to church. I adored my yellow jersey, and my yellow bathing suit. Mom and dad had to always buy me something yellow; the yellow beach ball, the yellow water wings, and everything else yellow. I even loved the yellow balloon which was something special for me as I had a fear of balloons and when we got our dog and named her Yella, that was the best thing for me since sliced bread.

Yellow continued to dominate my life as I blew past my teen years into adulthood and I continued to buy yellow sweaters and jackets, yellow coats, yellow pants, and yellow dishes and even cutlery with yellow handles. Part of my living room is even dominated by yellow.

Now that I am left with precious little sight and no longer able to see color, I think of yellow whenever I need a boost or whenever I need to drive away unhappy thoughts or moments. I have grown to love purple, red, and blue; all distant seconds to my precious yellow. Yellow! The color of my life! The sunshine of my soul! The light of my darkness!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and share my blogs with the rest of the world.

The web access software dilemma

Greetings! I'm Christian Robicheau, assistant editor at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca.
Ah yes! March is just humming along and soon it will be time to welcome April.
I hope that everyone has had a great March and today I am delighted to share an editorial by our president Donna Jodhan. This week, Donna discusses a great concern of hers; the web access software dilemma. I invite you now to read on.
Enjoy your weekend!

+++++++++++++++
The web access software dilemma

There used to be a time not too long ago when it was so difficult to find any company willing to develop web access software that could be used by blind and partially sighted persons to surf the Internet without sighted assistance. Within the last few years however, this picture seems to have changed and within the last few months alone I have had both sighted as well as blind and partially sighted persons telling me that more companies seem to be developing software that would make it possible for us to be more independent surfers.

On the surface, this appears to be a huge step forward but wait! I believe that this picture is not very accurate and for the following reasons. However, before I fill in the gaps, allow me to tell you that I am not going to name specific names for fear that someone would not be too happy with me so indeed, I have to tread very cautiously here. Yes it is true that there are more companies venturing into the web access software arena and they are promoting their software to be the latest and greatest Saviors of independence for accessibility but alas! Most of them have and continue to fall woefully short of fulfilling the needs and requirements for blind and partially sighted surfers.

To clarify this picture: There is one particular software company that emphatically states that their software package is user friendly to blind and partially sighted persons but sadly enough, this is not the case. It is a piece of software that only works if the website in question has been exactly coded to work with it. It does not respect the navigational structure that is vital for blind persons plus more. In short, it is not suitable for a blind person. Even after the website has been coded to work with it, many access features still need to be included in the development of a website.

In the case of another software package, the company in question has developed a product that does cater to the needs of much of the disabled persons community but it is not accommodating to blind and partially sighted persons. A step in the right direction, yes! However there are concerns with this particular company’s marketing strategies. They have somehow managed to convince some very high profile North American companies that they are the answer to accessibility development but at the same time, they are also aware that their product does not fulfill the needs of blind and partially sighted persons.

There is a growing concern among accessibility experts that if this trend is allowed to continue, blind and partially sighted persons are going to be shut out and we need to find ways to stop this before it becomes a very bad and unbreakable habit. It is one thing to develop glitzy software that promises quick and easy solutions for accessibility but quite another when these solutions do not fulfill their promises or to put it in another way; they are bordering on false advertising and expectations. I urge any organization and company wishing to become accessible compliant to take the extra time to ensure that they are going to get what they pay for. That is, a software package that is the real thing and not just a quick and dirty solution.


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

Can blind persons be mainstream persons?

This is a very thought provoking question and one that is often asked of me. In response, I would venture to say that the answer is probably no and I say this with a lump in my throat.

For as long as society continues to treat us with a difference, with kid gloves, or as second class citizens; we should not expect to be classified as mainstream. However, let's just say that if all of this were to somehow and magically change, if somehow we were to find ourselves in an almost perfect society, then the chances of us being classified as mainstream would be greater; but we need to be realistic.

Blind persons are different because they are unable to see. They use or employ different strategies to live their lives. They use different technology in order to communicate; that being access technology. They depend on sighted assistance to help them deal with those tasks and challenges that require eyesight in order to complete them. The list can go on and on but I am sure that by now you are getting the picture.

If you would like to learn more about some of the devices that blind persons use in order to cope, visit www.humanware.com and www.maxiaids.com.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and share my blogs with the sighted world.

The world of blind parents

Greetings! I'm Scott Savoy, managing editor at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca and today, I would like to share a very insightful editorial with you; writeen by our president Donna J. Jodhan.
I encourage you to read this and I wish you a happy March weekend.

+++++++++++++++
The world of blind parents
By Donna J. Jodhan

At the best of times it is often difficult and/or interesting for parents as they strive to ensure that their kids are brought up to be good contributors to society and all round good Human Beings. All parents want the best for their kids. The best lives for them and a future full of promise.

This is a much easier process for sighted parents ass opposed to blind parents. For blind parents, there are additional challenges to face. One of the biggest challenges is the attitude barrier and another is to find ways to protect their independence.

I myself am not a blind parent but I have close friends who are and I never stop admiring the way they cope. My friends Melanie and Brian are blind parents of a little sighted boy Graham. They both work and follow a very hectic life. Graham is a normal little boy who does everything that all kids of his age do. Melanie and Brian are blind parents who are determined to protect their independence as blind parents and to give Graham every opportunity to be a mainstream kid in a mainstream world.

From talking to other blind parents, attitude problems probably start as soon as their blind child is born and it continues on as they encounter doctors and medical professionals, teachers, other sighted parents and sighted kids, and up the ladder to others.

There is a whole world of compassionate people out there who will undoubtedly help to make things smoother for blind parents but at the same time there are those out there who through ignorance and naivety will continue to make life challenging.

Blind parents must be allowed to protect their independence, their right to be parents, and their right to live healthy normal lives with their kids whether or not those kids are blind or sighted. We as a society need to recognize and respect this. Of course, there is a whole different situation when we look at sighted parents with blind kids. That’s my parents and me.

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

The importance of knowing

It is always important to know; but when it comes to someone who is unable to see! It's even more important. Like it or not, the eyes see all and absorb all and it is what the sighted world use in order to complete any picture. For me, I use other strategies to complete a picture but to be very sure that the picture is complete and accurate, I depend on sighted assistance.

I need to know when things match; like my clothes, like my décor. I need to know what gestures are being carried out around me; especially when I am in a business meeting. I need to know what expressions persons around me are communicating to me and to each other. I need to know where things are in my home so that I do not bump into objects, and that I can find what I am looking for. I need to know what information is being communicated so that I can make the correct or appropriate decision. In short, I need to know.

The importance of knowing applies to all of us; sighted or not but for a blind person it is always even more important. If you would like to know more about why blind persons need to know, then you can visit www.nfb.org, or www.rnib.org.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and asking you to go out there and help educate the rest of the world about why it is important for blind persons to know; the importance of knowing.

Where is our classroom?

Greetings! I'm Christian Robicheau and welcome to March! Ah yes! March is finally here and spring is just around the corner. Today, I have an interesting editorial to share with you; written by our president Donna J. Jodhan.
Today, Donna is asking for us to define our classroom.
Enjoy your weekend.

+++++++++++++++
Where is our classroom?
By Donna J. Jodhan

As a blind person who has been fortunate to have had the opportunity to take all kinds of courses and complete all kinds of degrees, I have been able to attend classes in person as well as take them online. The question for me as a blind person is this: Where exactly is my classroom? Where would be the best place for me?

Of course, I probably will not be able to give you a definitive answer but instead I’ll give you my thoughts on both settings.

I like attending classes in person because it gives me the chance to meet my fellow students and to interact directly with my professors and instructors. I would normally tape my classes with a digital recorder and then come home to listen and take notes. I would take notes using my computer. I find that if I try to take notes in the classroom using my computer, I soon get confused listening to the voice of my screen reading software along with listening to the voice of my lecturer. It’s funny though that I can take minutes with my computer but not take notes in class.

The challenges of attending classes in person is that I have to keep reminding the professor or instructor to describe or speak whatever is put on the board. In addition, printed handouts are a challenge for me to deal with. These two challenges however are becoming less of a problem for me.

I like attending classes from the comfort of my home; the online way but whereas I don’t have to put up with finding my way there to a physical location, there are the following challenges.
I have to ensure that online texts are in a readable format for me; in text, MS word, or HTML format.
I have to ensure that I can easily navigate the website where the online course is being given and that I can complete forms independently.
I have to ensure that I have easy access to my instructors either via email or via phone.

So where is my classroom? The jury is still out for me.


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

Socializing in the workplace

Now, here's one of the most difficult challenges for me; socializing in the workplace. At the best of times, when I worked in a mainstream workplace, I always found it a bit difficult to socialize. As a blind person, it is often difficult at the best of times to be able to tell when and where to socialize. It is often difficult to find where people are gathered and in many cases we have to use our sense of hearing to find the action so to speak.

When it comes to going out to restaurants with coworkers, we often have to depend on our sighted colleagues to lend a helping hand. Getting to the restaurant, finding a table, knowing what's on the menu, and so on. We even have to depend on sighted assistance to help us navigate our way to the bathroom and back to our places at the table.

There are many tiny things that much of society may not think of when it comes to a blind person being able to socialize in the workplace but there you have it. If we are in unfamiliar territory, then we would definitely need sighted assistance to help us navigate and find our way and if we need to locate friends and acquaintances then the same would apply.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and encouraging you to go out there and educate your coworkers about how blind persons socialize in the workplace.
Visit www.acb.org to learn more.