Sterling Creations

Greetings everyone and I’m Scott Savoy at the Sterling Creations desk and o boy it’s the final week of November.
I can hear Santa yawning now and so let’s start to welcome the holiday season!
For today, our President Donna J. Jodhan as a very concerning editorial to share with her readers and she would really like to hear from you.
Please write to her at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca.
Enjoy your weekend.
We wish our American friends a very happy Thanksgiving!

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How Some Canadian Government Departments Are Using Work Arounds
By Donna J. Jodhan
Editorial: When “Consultation” Becomes Exploitation – How Some Government Departments Are Failing Persons with Disabilities

In the spirit of inclusion and equity, the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) was enacted to remove barriers and ensure full participation of persons with disabilities in Canadian society. However, recent practices by some federal departments reveal a troubling trend: leveraging workarounds to technically fulfill the Act’s consultation requirements without meaningfully valuing the expertise they seek.

Instead of engaging in genuine, compensated partnerships, certain departments are sending out impersonal links to online forms, asking organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) to not only fill them out, but also distribute them widely—free labor for a government mandate. Even more concerning is the subtle but clear suggestion embedded in some of these communications: that recipients have a civic duty to participate.
When consultation becomes expectation without compensation, it borders on exploitation.

This is not what accessibility or equity looks like. Persons with disabilities offer lived experience, often shaped by years of navigating systemic barriers. That insight is expertise. To ask for it freely, repeatedly, and with minimal context or accountability is to devalue not only the individuals themselves, but also the goals of the ACA.
While budgetary or procedural limitations may be cited as justification, they are no excuse. If a department can afford to create, host, and distribute consultation platforms, it can—and must—budget for honoraria or equivalent compensation. If the Government of Canada is serious about being barrier-free by 2040, it must model inclusive practices, starting with how it engages those it claims to support.

True accessibility is not just about ramps, websites, or legal compliance. It is about respect, reciprocity, and recognizing that collaboration is not charity. Persons with disabilities deserve more than a survey link. They deserve to be heard—and paid—for their expertise.

It’s time for departments to rethink how they consult. The workarounds must stop. The work—real, inclusive, respectful work—must begin.

I’d like to leave you with this for your consideration
A split-scene digital illustration that subtly contrasts two realities — on one side, a sleek government office with officials using digital tools to analyze data, and on the other, a diverse group of persons with disabilities filling out detailed surveys in their homes.

Left Side: Government Setting
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Setting: A modern-looking federal office labeled “Public Engagement Unit – Policy Branch”.
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Characters: A group of government employees (diverse in gender, ethnicity, and age) standing around a large screen or dashboard.
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Visual Elements:
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A large screen displaying charts, word clouds, and quotes from survey responses.
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Sticky notes on a whiteboard that read: “Lived Experience”, “Barriers”, “Access”, “Solutions”.
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One official pointing at a quote bubble: “This came from the disability survey – we should flag it.”

Right Side: Public Participants
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Setting: Various home environments portrayed within a single scene (like comic book panels or windows).
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Characters:
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A wheelchair user at a laptop, thoughtfully typing.
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A blind person using a screen reader with headphones.
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A person with chronic pain resting in bed while filling out a survey on a tablet.
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A neurodivergent youth writing notes on paper before submitting online.
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Visual Elements:
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Each person is interacting with a “Government of Canada Survey” interface.
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Expression of effort, reflection, and frustration/honesty.
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Text bubbles coming from their screens:
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“I was never consulted before.”
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“This question doesn’t reflect my situation.”
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“Finally, a chance to be heard.”

Tone and Style:
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Professional but empathetic.
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Use of light greys and neutral tones in the government side; warmer, personal tones in the home scenes.
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Slight contrast between institutional formality and lived personal realities.

Optional Add-on Text (for illustration):
At the bottom or corner of the image, include a caption:
“Bridging the gap with surveys: A workaround for real engagement?”

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

Hey everyone and I’m Christian Robicheau at the Sterling Creations desk.
Hope everyone is doing well and for today our president focuses her attention on a very painful topic.
It’s all about the QR code Quandary and Donna J. Jodhan adds her voice to the growing call for the needs of those who are unable to read these codes on screens let alone scan them to be considered.
Here’s wishing you a great weekend.
5:34 AM 2025-11-20
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The QR code quandary
By Donna J. Jodhan

QR codes are everywhere. From restaurant tables to TV screens, digital posters to packaging, these pixelated squares have become the shorthand of modern marketing.

They promise convenience—just scan and go. Want a menu? Scan the code. Looking for a promo? Scan the code. Need to enter a contest, redeem a coupon, or read more about a product? Scan the code. But for millions of people, this “convenience” is anything but.

In our rush toward touchless transactions and digital experiences, we’ve forgotten one critical truth: not everyone can interact with technology in the same way. QR codes, by their very nature, require the user to perform a precise visual task—open a camera app, align a phone to the screen or printed code, and wait for the link to load.

For people with visual impairments, motor challenges, or cognitive disabilities, this process can be difficult, if not impossible.
Consider someone who is blind or has low vision. A screen says, “Scan the QR code to see today’s specials.” But there’s no voice prompt, no tactile option, no alternative access. The same principle applies when a TV ad says, “Call the number on your screen now”—but doesn’t provide audio for the number. It’s exclusion by design, whether intentional or not.

It’s time to acknowledge what this means: an entire population is being left behind. The promise of universal access is being undermined by design choices that prioritize sleekness over inclusivity. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and similar global laws call for reasonable accommodations. Yet, as technology evolves, these accommodations must evolve with it.

This is a plea—for designers, developers, advertisers, and content creators to do better. Make QR-linked content accessible by providing alternative formats: voice prompts, tactile buttons, clearly spoken URLs, or traditional phone numbers read aloud. Ensure that screen readers can access all necessary information. Design with empathy, not just efficiency.
Technology should empower, not exclude. And until we build with everyone in mind, the QR code—once a symbol of connection—will remain a barrier for far too many.

I’d like to leave you with this for your consideration.
Imagine standing at a restaurant counter. The smell of grilled food hangs in the air, the chatter of other customers fills the room, and the cashier points to a small black-and-white square on a plexiglass stand. “Just scan the QR code for the menu,” she says with a smile.
For most people, it’s a simple, everyday interaction. But for someone with limited or no vision, this moment becomes a barrier.
A blind customer fumbles to find their phone. They open a scanning app—if they have one configured. But without being able to see the QR code or even locate it in space, the process becomes a frustrating guessing game. There’s no tactile cue, no audio guidance, no human backup. The “convenient” QR code becomes a silent wall between them and their meal.
This scenario is becoming more common in today’s digitized world, where touchless, visual-first interfaces are rapidly replacing physical menus, print tickets, and brochures. But this progress leaves a critical question in its wake: How can people with vision challenges navigate a world that increasingly communicates in invisible ink?

Image = A collage of multiple white QR codes on a bright blue background, each framed in various white shapes like speech bubbles, rectangles, and pointers, with accompanying text such as ‘SCAN ME!’ and ‘SCAN & PAY’ in bold capital letters; some include directional arrows or stylized scanning icons, all designed to attract attention and prompt users to scan the codes.

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

Hey there and I’m Christian Robicheau kicking off November with a really insightful editorial from our president Donna J. Jodhan.
Today, Donna focuses her sights on when we are unable to act.
Give this one a read and tell Donna your thoughts.
Write to her at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca.
Enjoy your first weekend of November

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When We Are Unable To Act
By Donna J. Jodhan

There are moments in life, both private and public, when we find ourselves paralyzed. A wrong unfolds before us, a need cries out for a response, a moment demands courage — and we do nothing. Not because we are indifferent. Not because we do not care. But because we are unable to act.
Why does this happen?

Sometimes, it is fear. Fear of consequences, of judgment, of failure. Speaking up might cost us relationships, jobs, safety, or peace. So we weigh the risks — and the scales tip toward silence. At other times, we find ourselves unsure of what to say or do. The complexity of the situation overwhelms us, and we retreat into the comfort of inaction, hoping that clarity — or someone else — will come.

Then there are times when it feels simply out of our hands. The systems are too vast, the authorities too distant, the damage already done. We shrink under the weight of a problem bigger than any one individual, and in that shrinking, we convince ourselves that our voice would make no difference.
But to be unable to act is not always the same as being unwilling. This distinction matters. For many, the paralysis of inaction is deeply painful — a source of guilt, regret, and rumination. We replay the moment, wondering what we could have done differently, longing for a second chance we may never get.

What if, instead of judging ourselves harshly, we asked better questions? What would it take to be ready next time? Who could we align with now, so we’re not alone when the next choice comes? What skills or courage do we need to build before the next critical moment arrives?

Action is not born in the heat of a moment; it is cultivated in the quiet before it.
We may be unable to act today — but that does not mean we always will be.

I’d like to leave you with this for your consideration.
In a dim, dust-laden room, a marionette hangs midair, tangled in its own strings. Its wooden limbs are poised in a half-step, as if caught mid-dance—but motionless, suspended in frustration. Shafts of light filter through cracks in boarded-up windows, casting long, skeletal shadows across the floor. Behind the puppet, a forgotten control bar lies on a table, out of reach, collecting cobwebs. Dust motes drift lazily through the air, indifferent to the still figure below. The silence is palpable—an echo of a performance that never began, or one that stopped too soon.

Image = A minimalist illustration shows a red stick-figure-style person against a light pink background, with black vertical strings attached to the figure’s limbs and head, suggesting the person is being controlled like a puppet.

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

So everyone, Are you ready for Halloween?
I’m getting ready and I’m Scott Savoy at the Sterling Creations desk.
And for today I am delighted to share our president’s editorial on how to discovery your independence.
This editorial is from her syllabus on a weekend camp that she is presently promoting.
Give it a read and send your feedback to donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca
Donna would love to hear from you!
Happy weekend!

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Discovering Your Independence
By Donna J. Jodhan

Independence is more than just doing things on your own—it’s one of the most important building blocks of self-development. It’s the ability to trust yourself, make decisions with clarity, and take ownership of the path you choose. But independence doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process, and it begins with one simple step: self-belief.

The Foundation: Believing in Yourself
Before you can act independently, you must first believe that you are capable. Self-belief is the root of confidence; it’s the inner voice that tells you that your thoughts, your feelings, and your instincts matter. Without it, independence becomes impossible—you’ll always look outward for validation instead of trusting your own judgment.

Building Independence: Listen, Think, Act
Once you’ve grounded yourself in self-belief, independence begins to take shape. True independence isn’t about ignoring others; it’s about listening thoughtfully, thinking critically, and then having the courage to act on your own convictions. Listening broadens your perspective, thinking sharpens your choices, and acting turns intention into reality. Independence is forged in the balance between learning from others and trusting yourself enough to move forward.

Guidance Along the Way
No one becomes independent in isolation. Along the journey, you’ll seek advice from trusted friends, family, and mentors who can provide perspective. You’ll also find inspiration from influencers—people whose experiences, ideas, and values resonate with you. Their voices are not meant to replace your own but to help you see possibilities you might have overlooked.

The Moment of Decision
Ultimately, independence comes down to a single truth: the final decision is yours to make. You can gather guidance, weigh your options, and imagine different outcomes, but no one else can choose the path for you. Independence is about taking responsibility for your choices—whether they lead to triumph or teach you lessons through struggle.

Owning Your Power
Independence is not just freedom; it is responsibility. It demands courage, accountability, and self-awareness. When you embrace it fully, you step into the role of being your own leader. You stop waiting for someone else to hand you permission, and instead, you declare with conviction: I am the boss of my own life.

I’d like to leave you with this for your consideration.
A young person stands on the edge of a hill at sunrise. Behind them, a worn-out rope lies in the grass—snapped in two—symbolizing the release from reliance on others or from societal expectations. The horizon ahead glows with golden light, stretching into a vast landscape of open roads, mountains, and possibilities.
Visual Elements:
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The Figure: Standing tall with a small backpack slung over one shoulder, representing readiness for self-discovery. Their stance is confident, one foot slightly forward.
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The Rope: Frayed and broken behind them, illustrating the act of breaking free from dependence or restraint.
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The Horizon: A sun rising, casting long rays across mountains, rivers, and forests. The light represents hope, opportunity, and new beginnings.
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Details: Birds in flight overhead (symbolizing freedom), small flowers pushing through the grass (growth and resilience), and a winding path stretching forward (the journey of independence).
Style Suggestions:
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Minimalist line art with warm pastel colors for an uplifting, editorial-friendly tone.
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Alternatively, a bold, painterly style with strong sunlight and rich textures to emphasize empowerment and optimism.

Image = A minimalist illustration shows a person standing on a grassy hill with a backpack, gazing toward a rising sun over distant mountains and a winding path that leads into the horizon; birds fly overhead, and a broken rope lies on the ground near small flowers, symbolizing freedom or a new journey.

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