Sterling Creations

Okay everyone, it is the final weekend of August and the final holiday weekend of summer 2024.
Not to worry, though, things go on, and for today, our president Donna J. Jodhan weighs in on the pending demise of the AppleVis online newsletter.
Donna welcomes your feedback on this very important issue and invites you to write to her at info@sterlingcreations.ca with your feedback.
I’m Scott Savoy, wishing you a great weekend.

The Pending Demise of the AppleVis Online Newsletter
by Donna J. Jodhan

Important note: We thank the good folks at Be My Eyes for having saved this important landmark as my editorial was written before this great news!

The Future of AppleVis: A Call to Action for Apple and the Community

As the August 31 deadline looms, the fate of the AppleVis newsletter hangs precariously in the balance. For years, dedicated volunteers have poured their hearts into producing and running this invaluable resource, which provides vital information and support to the visually impaired and blind community. But now, these volunteers are facing burnout, and with no funding on the horizon, the survival of this crucial newsletter is at risk.

AppleVis has been more than just a newsletter; it has been a lifeline, a beacon of information, and a pillar of support for countless individuals navigating the world of Apple technology. The newsletter has been instrumental in sharing updates, tips, and resources, making the digital world more accessible to those who rely on it.

Yet, despite its significance, it appears that Apple, the tech giant whose products the newsletter supports, is not stepping up to ensure its continuation. One might argue that Apple’s reluctance to invest in AppleVis is rooted in its bottom line. After all, AppleVis doesn’t directly contribute to Apple’s revenue streams. However, this perspective misses the broader implications of corporate responsibility and community engagement.

Apple has consistently positioned itself as a leader in accessibility, boasting about its commitment to inclusive technology and equitable access. Yet, when it comes to supporting the very platforms that champion these ideals, Apple’s involvement seems to wane.

The question now is whether Apple will rise to the occasion and demonstrate a genuine commitment to accessibility by funding and sustaining the AppleVis newsletter. This is a prime opportunity for Apple to show that its dedication to accessibility is more than just lip service. By investing in AppleVis, Apple can reaffirm its commitment to the community it claims to support, transforming a potential loss into a testament to its values.

However, it’s not solely Apple’s responsibility to bear the weight of this challenge. The community itself must also step up. While it’s easy to critique and lament the situation, it’s equally crucial to explore actionable solutions.

What can the community do to ensure the survival of AppleVis?

Fundraising efforts, community-driven campaigns, and sponsorships could provide much-needed financial support. Engaging with accessibility advocacy groups and forming partnerships might also yield creative solutions. Rather than focusing on complaints, the community needs to channel its energy into proactive measures, harnessing collective resources and ideas to keep this essential service alive.

In conclusion, the future of the AppleVis newsletter hinges on a dual approach: Apple must demonstrate its true commitment to accessibility by investing in this crucial resource, and the community must mobilize to explore alternative funding solutions. The challenges are significant, but the stakes are high. Let’s hope that both Apple and the community rise to the occasion, ensuring that the legacy of AppleVis continues to illuminate the path for those who rely on it most.

Just my two cents for today.

To learn more about me as an award winning sight loss coach and advocate visit www.donnajodhan.com

Hi everyone and I’m Christian Robicheau at the Sterling Creations business desk and today our president Donna J. Jodhan shares a very reflective editorial with us.
It’s all about reflecting on the years of John Rafferty, CNIB’s now-retired CEO.
“For the most part, I truly believe that MR. Rafferty really tried and must be given full marks for having done so. History will judge him, but I thank him for having always taken time to engage with me in a meaningful way.”
Send your feedback to info@sterlingcreations.ca.

How Will History Judge John Rafferty, CNIB’s Now-Retired CEO?
by Donna J. Jodhan

John Rafferty, who recently retired as CEO of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), leaves behind a complex legacy. His tenure was marked by navigating numerous challenges while striving to maintain the delicate balance between the needs of the blind and vision-impaired community and the expectations of funders.

Navigating Rough Seas

Rafferty faced significant challenges during his time at the helm. Leading a national organization that serves a diverse community with varying needs and expectations is no small feat. The Canadian blind and vision-impaired community looks to the CNIB for support, advocacy, and resources. Ensuring their happiness and positivity was a key part of Rafferty’s role, yet it was also a monumental task given the broad spectrum of needs within the community.

Balancing Funders’ Expectations

Another critical aspect of Rafferty’s role was managing relationships with funders. Securing and maintaining funding from both federal and provincial governments is essential for any national organization. Rafferty had to ensure that the CNIB’s programs and initiatives aligned with the priorities of these funders, while also advocating for the needs of the blind and vision-impaired community. This balancing act often required careful navigation to avoid stepping out of line with either party.

First Sighted CEO

Rafferty’s position as the first sighted CEO of the CNIB added another layer of complexity to his role. He had to work hard to gain the trust and respect of a community that might have initially viewed his appointment with skepticism. His leadership was constantly under scrutiny to ensure that he truly understood and represented the interests of those he served.

Legacy of John Rafferty

As Rafferty steps down, questions about his legacy arise. Did he leave the CNIB in a better position than he found it? On one hand, he might be credited with maintaining stability and ensuring continuous support for the community. On the other hand, some may argue that his tenure lacked significant progress in terms of promoting engagement and communication within the community.

The true measure of Rafferty’s impact may lie in the long-term effects of his policies and initiatives. Did he pave the way for future leaders to drive more inclusive and effective changes? Or will his tenure be seen as a period of maintaining the status quo without substantial advancements?

Conclusion

History’s judgment of John Rafferty’s time as CEO of the CNIB will likely be mixed. While he undoubtedly faced and managed numerous challenges, his legacy will be shaped by the perspectives of those he served and the lasting impact of his leadership. Ultimately, his tenure highlights the complexities of leading a national organization that must balance diverse community needs with the expectations of its funders.

Just my two cents for today.

To learn more about me as an award winning sight loss coach and advocate visit www.donnajodhan.com

Greetings and I’m Scott Savoy at the Sterling Creations desk.
I am pleased to share our president’s latest editorial and for today Donna J. Jodhan discusses an issue that must be near and dear to our heart.
Donna invites you to read and respond to her at info@sterlingcreations.ca.
Enjoy your weekend.

The Elderly Abuse Syndrome
by Donna J. Jodhan

As they say, one is never really able to fully understand until they directly find themselves in a situation, and this is what it is for me when it comes to elderly abuse.

I do not think that this syndrome is limited to any one country! No, not at all. There are always going to be a few bad apples amongst the bunch, but for what it is worth: My mom now has to depend on around-the-clock care to enable her to live comfortably in her own home.

Mom fell in June 2023 and injured her hip. Due to her will to succeed, her limitless Faith in God, her undying patience, and her wonderful sense of humor, she continues to defy all odds. For the most part, her caregivers are wonderful, but no one is perfect, and as a result there are always challenges to overcome.

What I find immensely sad is when one bad apple takes advantage of the situation, choosing to take advantage by stealing money and jewelry and more. They truly believe that the elderly patient would not report the missing money or jewelry to their family and so they continue to steal until they are caught red-handed. This is what has happened to my mom.

I guess that this cowardly caregiver honestly thought that mom would be too scared to tell her family. She felt safe as she continued to steal, but in this case, all good things came to a screeching end for her when mom pulled the plug and told me. What she did not know is that my miracle mom is very aware of her surroundings, her mental abilities are remarkable, and she has her own way of catching inequities.

This caregiver has gotten off scot-free in a way, because we cannot prosecute her, because of absolute proof. However, we know that based on time and circumstance, this caregiver did it!

There are other types of elderly abuse, and I can only thank God that it is not worse than this. Several friends of mine have told me some horror stories. We can only hope that families of elderly patients will take more time to be more vigilant.

The elderly are our treasures for ever. We are here because of them. Without them, we are nowhere. We owe them so much.

Just my two cents for today.

To learn more about me as an award-winning sight-loss coach and advocate, visit www.donnajodhan.co

Hey there and I’m Christian Robicheau at the Sterling Creations desk.
Lovely weekend shaping up and today it is all about our president Donna J. Jodhan submitting her personal perspective.
She wants to hear from you and you can send your feedback to info@sterlingcreations.ca.
Best wishes for a great weekend.

The Challenges with Advisory Committees
by Donna J. Jodhan

Since 2013, I have had the pleasure and privilege of sitting on a variety of advisory committees. I have done so and continue to do so on committees of various departments of the Canadian Government along with some departments of the Ontario Provincial Government and various high profile companies.

For whereas I applaud the well meaning mission of almost all of these committees, I am often left to wonder how affective can these committees really be.
For at the end of the day, it is all about the power of listening.

In my humble opinion, the power of any advisory committee lies in its ability to first be listened to by upper management. Next, for upper management to truly consider and respect the opinions, suggestions, and feedback of said committees, and finally for all of this to be carried out in a tangent way. For any advisory committee to be able to make a difference, there must first be meaningful engagement and communication between committee and company or department. Next, a complete buy-in that the advice being offered by the committee is relevant, believable, and realistic. Finally, for company/department to be able to have the ability to act on recommendations being offered.

Yes! There is a place for advisory committees in our landscape. However, no! These committees will not be successful if they are only in existence in order to satisfy some set of regulations that are being set out in an Act where companies and departments are being mandated to establish advisory committees.

There is definitely a place for advisory committees as long as they have the ability to influence policies, attitudes, and processes. Advisory committees are one of the most effective ways to bring consumer groups and companies and departments together.
They should be viewed as being able to find and keep their hands on the pulses of consumer groups. Their size should be appropriately kept to being able to be manageable. They should be made up of both individuals who meaningfully represent consumer groups for and of persons with disabilities.

Finally, great care should be taken to have a balance of representatives from both organizations and agencies for and of persons with disabilities. Additionally, to include persons within companies and departments who can be considered to be influencers. I would further offer that advisory committees should not contain reps from agencies and organizations for persons with disabilities that are only there to gather information and that are only there to represent the welfare of said organizations and agencies.

Let us remember that, at the end of the day, the most important thing is for us to focus on what is best for the person on the street and not for the department, agency, or organization.

Just my two cents for today.

To learn more about me as an award-winning sight-loss coach and advocate, visit www.donnajodhan.com

Welcome to August and I’m Scott Savoy at the Sterling Creations business desk wishing you a happy day!
Today, I am pleased to share our president’s latest commentary with you!
It’s all about the continued struggle with apps and Donna J. Jodhan talks about this.
She’d like for you to share your feedback with her by sending along your emails to info@sterlingcreations.ca.
Enjoy your weekend.
In my neck of the woods it’s a holiday weekend!

The Struggle with Apps
by Donna J. Jodhan

With the world depending more and more on the use of apps, there is no choice, and for blind and vision impaired persons, it is even more of a struggle. Not just the blind and vision impaired, but for seniors, the technically shy, and persons with other types of disabilities.

For me, as a vision impaired person, I am always pleased whenever I can easily use an app without having to depend on sighted assistance. However, it becomes a huge challenge whenever I need to depend on sighted assistance! Or, even worse, when the app itself does not accommodate the needs and requirements of those mentioned above.

It is one thing to develop apps that make it easier for persons to conduct their business and do their shopping and ordering, but it is quite another thing when those app developers totally ignore the needs of a growing group of users. Even worse, when too many apps developers appear to deliberately turn a blind eye to our needs. Sadly enough, this is too often the case.

Some may take the time to engage and communicate, while the majority either do not care or do not want to spend time making their apps accessible and navigable. They probably think that it is either not worth their time and effort, or they may even think that it is not beneficial to their scales of revenue. Whatever it is, this is the picture, in my humble opinion.

I can only urge apps developers to start thinking outside the box in order to start accommodating the groups that I have mentioned above. Believe it or not! These are the consumers that will someday soon become your bread and butter markets. Please do not wait until you are either directly or indirectly affected.

Just my two cents for today.

To learn more about me as an award-winning sigh-loss coach and advocate, visit www.donnajodhan.com