Greetings and I’m Christian robicheau welcoming you to June.
Yes, June is here and summer is just around the corner.
For this week, our president Donna J. Jodhan uses her editorial to make a special call.
She wants to hear from you
Read her editorial and send along your thoughts.
Happy weekend everyone!

+++++++++++++++

More committed advocates needed

In recent times, Canada has lost some truly remarkable advocates—people who dedicated their lives to fighting for justice, equality, and positive change. These individuals were committed, unwavering, and unafraid to push boundaries. They stood on the front lines, ensuring that the voices of the marginalized were heard, policies were challenged, and progress was made.

But now, with their absence, a gap has been left in our society. We need to ask ourselves: Who will step up? Who will carry on their mission? The answer lies in the younger generations, but inspiring them to take on the mantle of advocacy is no simple task.

The Challenges of Advocacy
Advocacy is not for the faint of heart. It requires courage, resilience, and an unyielding commitment to change. Advocates face opposition, setbacks, and sometimes even personal sacrifice. Yet, they persist because they believe in something greater than themselves—a vision for a better, more just world.
Today’s youth are passionate, informed, and eager to make a difference. However, they need guidance, mentorship, and encouragement to transform their passion into action.

How Can We Inspire Tomorrow’s Advocates?
1.
Educate and Empower – Schools and communities must integrate advocacy training into education. Young people should be taught the history of activism, the power of civic engagement, and the impact of speaking up for what is right.
Looking Forward

The loss of our dedicated advocates is deeply felt, but their legacy does not have to end with them. If we invest in our youth, nurture their passion, and equip them with the tools they need, we can cultivate a new generation of changemakers who will push for progress just as fiercely as those before them.
Now is the time to encourage, support, and uplift the advocates of tomorrow. The fight for justice and equality is ongoing, and more advocates are needed—now more than ever.

I’d like to leave you with this for your consideration.
An illustration depicting a group of passionate advocates standing together, holding signs and banners, symbolizing their dedication to a cause. The setting is an urban environment, with a diverse group of individuals showing determination and commitment. The atmosphere is dynamic, with a sense of urgency and purpose. The color scheme conveys energy and motivation, reinforcing the need for more committed advocates.

Image = A crowd of people is seen from behind, raising their hands and waving Canadian flags against a dramatic sunset sky. The red and white flags, featuring the maple leaf emblem, stand out against the warm hues of orange and yellow in the background. Silhouettes of the individuals create a sense of unity and celebration, suggesting a patriotic gathering or national event. The positioning of the flags and the reaching hands add movement and energy to the scene.

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

O boy and it’s the final weekend of May and I simply cannot believe it!
Happy to be sharing another insightful perspective from our president today.
And for this week Donna J. Jodhan talks about some quirks of technology.
Send along your thoughts on this topic to Donna at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca.
I’m Scott Savoy wishing you a great end of May weekend.

+++++++++++++++

Some quirks of technology
By Donna J. Jodhan

Some Quirks of Technology explores my personal experiences and observations
navigating the ever-evolving digital landscape, particularly as it relates to accessibility.

One of the ongoing challenges is how screen readers struggle to keep pace with modern technology. Different screen readers often interpret the same website differently, and their performance can vary even more depending on the browser being used—whether it’s Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. For example, a page that reads clearly with NVDA in Chrome might behave differently with JAWS in the same browser.

These inconsistencies extend to email clients as well, creating a fragmented experience that depends heavily on specific combinations of software versions. It’s a constant juggling act, highlighting the need for greater consistency and collaboration in tech accessibility.

I’d like to leave you with this for consideration.
Scene: A Digital Crossroads – The Journey of Accessibility

Imagine a wide, open digital landscape stretching endlessly in all directions — a symbolic internet world full of information, services, and opportunities. At the heart of this landscape stands a crossroads. At the center is a group of blind and vision-impaired users, each holding a digital compass — their screen reader.

Each screen reader speaks to them in a unique voice: some calm and clear, others rapid and robotic. These voices are lifelines, translating the visual internet into sound and touch. But the roads ahead are not all equal.

Each path represents a different browser — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari — and the terrain on each one varies wildly depending on the screen reader in use.

One user pairs NVDA with Firefox — the road becomes a paved path with relatively smooth signposts. The user’s digital compass reacts well, describing links, headings, and buttons with reliable clarity. But even here, potholes exist: dynamic content loads without warning, or forms become confusing mazes of unlabelled fields.

Another user tries JAWS with Chrome — the road is mostly smooth but cluttered with pop-up obstacles that speak over each other. The user has to pause, backtrack, and listen closely, sometimes guessing whether a button will actually work when pressed.

Someone else, using VoiceOver on Safari, steps cautiously along a narrower path — polished for Apple’s ecosystem, but with tricky intersections where ARIA labels are misused or web elements aren’t coded with accessibility in mind.

As these users navigate, their fingers rest on Braille displays or flow over the keys with memorized shortcuts. They’re constantly calibrating: “Is this page using headings properly?” “Does this button tell me what it does?” “Why does the screen reader go silent here?”

Some roads unexpectedly vanish — a browser update breaks compatibility, a website redesign forgets its accessibility.

Around them are developers and designers — some handing out helpful maps (accessible websites), others unknowingly building roadblocks (auto-playing videos with no stop button, unlabeled CAPTCHA images). A few tech-savvy guides emerge — online forums, tutorials, and peer groups sharing wisdom: “Try NVDA with Firefox on this site,” or “Use Chrome with JAWS for that banking portal.”

It’s not just about preference — it’s survival in the digital world. The right combination of screen reader and browser can mean the difference between independent access to education, work, health services — or being shut out by invisible barriers.

Image = An illustration of digital accessibility features showing a computer monitor and a smartphone with small open doors revealing icons for text, speech, and audio options. Surrounding the devices are colorful square icons representing various accessibility tools, including video captions, zoom/magnification, sound, keyboard input, and voice commands. Dashed lines connect the icons to the devices, emphasizing integration of assistive technologies. The overall color scheme is soft with shades of pink, yellow, blue, and purple.

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

Greetings everyone and I’m Christian Robicheau welcoming you to another marvelous May weekend.
Today, our president Donna J. Jodhan shares a very unique perspective with us and I invite you to read and send along your perspective to her at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca.
It’s all about walking in different worlds.
Enjoy your weekend.

+++++++++++++++

Walking in different worlds
By Donna J. Jodhan

Walking in Different Worlds: Understanding the Challenges of Sighted and Disabled Perspectives
Living in a world where the majority of people are able-bodied or sighted, it’s easy to overlook the experiences of those who navigate life with a disability. For someone who has never engaged or communicated with someone with a disability, the challenges can often be difficult to grasp. The contrast between the worlds of the sighted and those with disabilities can seem vast and, at times, disconnected. But as we open the door to better understanding, we can bridge these gaps and create a more inclusive environment for everyone.

The Challenges for the Sighted Person
For a sighted individual who has never interacted with someone with a disability, it can be difficult to understand the nuances of the disabled experience. Disability is often misunderstood or simplified in a way that minimizes the complexity of navigating a world designed for those who don’t face physical, sensory, or cognitive barriers.

1.
Lack of Awareness: One of the most common challenges sighted people face is a general lack of awareness. Disabilities can be invisible (like chronic pain or mental health conditions) or visible (such as blindness or mobility issues), but they can’t always be understood through a brief interaction. Without direct exposure, it’s easy to make assumptions or overlook the fact that a disability impacts daily life in unique ways.
2.
Unintentional Patronization: Many sighted individuals may unknowingly adopt a tone or behavior that is patronizing when speaking to someone with a disability. This could manifest as speaking overly slowly, using overly simplistic language, or treating a person as if they are incapable of performing simple tasks. This is often a result of not knowing how to communicate or interact with someone who has a disability, coupled with an assumption that the person’s disability defines their entire identity.
3.
Fear of Offending: Some sighted people avoid engaging with those with disabilities because they are unsure of the right language to use, or they fear making a mistake. This hesitation can create unnecessary distance, preventing genuine communication and understanding. The challenge here is not the disability itself, but the discomfort or unfamiliarity in knowing how to treat someone as an equal without crossing boundaries.
4.
Assuming Limitations: A sighted person might assume that someone with a disability is limited in ways they aren’t. They may make decisions on behalf of a person with a disability, presuming that the individual cannot do something—whether it’s traveling alone, working a job, or participating in social events. This assumption can stem from a lack of exposure to the diverse abilities within the disabled community.

Bridging the Gap: How Can People with Disabilities Help Sighted People Understand?
For someone with a disability, the experience of walking in a world built for the sighted can often feel isolating or frustrating. But with patience, education, and open communication, individuals with disabilities can help sighted people better understand their lived experiences.
1.
Sharing Personal Stories: One of the most powerful tools for creating empathy is storytelling. By sharing their personal experiences, individuals with disabilities can help sighted people understand the day-to-day challenges they face. This could be through conversations, blogs, social media posts, or public speaking engagements. The key is to make it relatable, showing how despite challenges, they are capable of thriving in society.
2.
Offering Education and Resources: Sometimes, a sighted person may simply not know where to begin learning about disability. Providing resources—such as books, websites, or organizations focused on disability advocacy—can help to demystify some of the common misconceptions. Educational outreach is an effective tool for reducing ignorance and building greater awareness.
3.
Fostering Open Dialogue: It’s important for individuals with disabilities to feel comfortable initiating conversations about their needs or preferences. If a sighted person isn’t sure how to assist, asking how they can help rather than assuming what’s best is a step in the right direction. This shows that the person with the disability is seen as an active participant in the interaction, not someone who is simply receiving help. Mutual respect and curiosity can help reduce the awkwardness that might come from not knowing how to navigate certain situations.
4.
Promoting Advocacy: Being an advocate for disability rights not only helps to raise awareness, but it also empowers disabled individuals to assert their needs in both public and private spaces. Encouraging sighted people to recognize and support disability access—whether it’s in workplaces, schools, or public transport—helps normalize
inclusivity. This could involve sharing experiences of what is or isn’t accessible, as well as pushing for greater improvements in infrastructure and societal attitudes.
5.
Modeling Independence: While many people with disabilities need assistance in certain areas, showcasing moments of independence can challenge the stereotype that they are dependent or incapable. Whether it’s navigating a space independently with a cane, using assistive technology to enhance communication, or working in a job alongside sighted colleagues, demonstrating independence allows sighted people to rethink their assumptions and recognize the value that individuals with disabilities bring to all walks of life.

Moving Toward Empathy and Inclusion
Ultimately, the key to navigating these different worlds is empathy. For sighted people, it’s important to remember that everyone’s experience is valid, and a disability doesn’t define a person’s worth or potential. For those with disabilities, taking the opportunity to share their experiences can foster a deeper understanding and encourage a more inclusive society.
When both sides commit to understanding and respecting one another’s experiences, the world becomes a place where the barriers between these two worlds can be minimized. It’s not about creating a perfect alignment of perspectives, but rather about forging meaningful connections, learning from each other, and working toward a more inclusive world where everyone can walk side by side.

Image = an illustration of two people meeting and shaking hands: one is blind and using a white can, while the other is sighted.

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

Greetings everyone and to our Canadian customers and readers!
Happy Victoria holiday day weekend to you.
For our president’s editorial this week, Donna would like to hear your thoughts on how scams affect the most vulnerable.
As someone who has been scammed a few times, she shares her thoughts with you.
Please send along your feedback to her at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca
Now just go out there and enjoy the long holiday weekend.
I’m Scott Savoy.

+++++++++++++++

How scams affect persons with disabilities
By Donna J. Jodhan

Scammers know only too well that persons with disabilities along with seniors are the 2 most vulnerable groups when it comes to being almost unprotected against scams and scammers.
These 2 groups often face the brunt of attacks from scammers and why?
Because they are vulnerable and they are often so very gullible because they are easy to convince.
Scammers prey on this sobering fact and we need to do all that we can to protect these 2 groups.

The infamous so-called Grandma scam is just one blatant example of scammers scamming seniors.
Their primary weapon is to use the phone to catch and hold the attention of persons with disabilities and seniors.
They use the fact that these 2 groups are always seeking assistance for help with so many basic things such as home renovations, house cleaning, financial advice, assistance with completing medical forms, and so much more.

Scammers are so very good at convincing persons with disabilities and seniors that they can help them for a very minimal cost and before you know it!
These types of persons are taken in.
What can we do to reverse this trend?
Work very hard to make sure that persons belonging to these 2 groups are protected and that they are made aware of scammers and their wicked scams.

Just my two cents for today.
Image = Close up of a smart phone showing an incoming call marked SCAMMER.

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

And I’m Christian Robicheau wishing all moms everywhere a very, very happy Mother’s Day!
Our president’s editorial for this week fits quite nicely into the Mother’s Day theme.
Please read this editorial and Donna J. Jodhan would love to hear from you.
Send your thoughts to her at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca
Happy weekend everyone.

+++++++++++++++

When words hurt

And as my dad used to say when we were kids; it’s not what you say but how you say it!
So how can we ensure that our words do not hurt? That they are meant to be variables such as:
Exuding kindness and thoughtfulness?
Encouraging engagement and communication?
Fostering positivity and problem solving?
Building relationships?

So often, we may not mean what we say or say what we mean but it comes out the wrong way whenever we fail to think before we speak.

So how do we correct this?
In my humble opinion, by taking time to choose our words very carefully before delivering them and speaking them.
To say to ourselves that we would want someone else to be the same to us.

Image = A graphic of two stick figures. One is shouting at the other with a megaphone, and the one being shouted at is covering their head with their arms to protect themselves.

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