I know when she has reached the bottom step

This is a technique that Mom and I have recently developed and when I was visiting her for the 2014 Christmas vacation, we somehow managed to perfect it. In reality it is very simple and it works; especially so as Mom has some very steep steps to climb in order to reach the entrance of her home.

So, here is how it works. Each time we leave her house, Mom goes down the stairs in front of me and as she goes she taps lightly on the railing and I can hear her as she goes. I can also feel the vibration of her taps as she does this and it tells me exactly where she is, how far ahead of me she is, and how close she is to the bottom step.

This is the perfect technique for me now that I am unable to see what is in front of me and no one would really know if they were to see us going down the steps.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan.
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
and you can even take advantage of our free downloads!
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud; those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

Mom and me with her Christmas decorations

This particular memory shall forever be imbedded in my mind and will have a special place in my memory bank. It all took place when I visited Mom for the 2014 Christmas holidays. There was Mom, like the eternal guide that she has always been, carefully navigating me through her sparkling creations of Christmas decorations.

I could hear the excitement and pride in her voice as she gingerly and carefully showed me each decoration. She gently took my hands and explained as she and I walked through her kitchen into her dining room and then into her living room. There was the heirloom Christmas tree. Then the poinsettias. Then her very own and personal touch, the ones that she has always been known for! Her special arrangements of candles, Christmas balls, and other Christmas decorations.

At the end of her special tour I had to stand there and marvel at this wonderful lady's enthusiasm, her will to keep Christmas cheer in our home, and so much more. Then I gave her a hug and a squeeze and a pat on the back as we walked back towards the kitchen. She had managed once more to revive and preserve my special Christmas memories.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan.
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
and you can even take advantage of our free downloads!
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud; those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

Remembering my childhood mirror

I can still remember this very special and precious mirror. Although I could not really see very much because of very poor vision, it was enough for me to be able to put my nose right up against it and strain my eyes to see whatever I could.

The mirror resided in my mom's wardrobe and each time she opened it to find something or put something in, there I was, glued to my childhood mirror. It was a full length mirror and to this day it does still indeed live on. The other day I remembered it when my mom went to her wardrobe but now things are very different.

Yes, I know that it is still there and yes I can still touch its surface but no! I can no longer see anything in it and so I have to depend on my childhood memories.

In those days I used to be able to see a glimpse of my reflection and I used to play games with myself; swaying back and forth in front of the mirror to see if I could catch a glimpse of myself. I had so much fun but I'll never know if my mom caught on to my childish games.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan.
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
and you can even take advantage of our free downloads!
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at
There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud; those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

As an audio mystery writer

What started off as a hobby has now turned into a thriving business for me, and boy am I enjoying it. The one thing that I would say is this: Being blind has not stopped me from pursuing my new part-time career.

I can use my imagination and the sky is the limit! I have created a character named detective DJ and I have patterned her after much of myself. This exciting character not only solves crimes in a unique way with her team of crime crushers, she writes and records Christmas mysteries that are thrilling, scintillating, and riveting. Mysteries that are refreshing and filled with hope, joy, and cheer and then there is more.

Detective DJ is heavily involved in campaigns against bullying! On behalf of kids who are blind, on behalf of women who are vulnerable, and on behalf of the true victims! Yes! Being blind is no barrier to my new part-time career.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan.
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
and you can even take advantage of our free downloads!
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud; those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

God bless Steve Jobs

I am probably one of those who will continue to sing the praises of the late Steve Jobs for the rest of my life and as a blind person I can tell you that I am very proud to do so.

Thanks to Steve Jobs I can be a part of the worldwide group of i device users. He did something which has turned out to practically revolutionize the world of mobile devices for blind and low vision folks like me. And as they often say, better late than never. I just hope that other developers can find it possible to follow in his footsteps and since he has been gone, Apple has continued to fulfill his promises.

I, as a blind i device user, will continue to encourage Apple to keep on motoring. To keep on developing and marketing software and hardware for blind persons. The world is a better place for me, thanks to Steve Jobs.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan.
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
and you can even take advantage of our free downloads!
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud; those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

My childhood days at church

These are very priceless and precious memories that I have managed to carefully stow away in my memory bank. My parents took me to church every Sunday and along with my brothers, Robert and Jeffrey, our family would sit together in the pew and be a part of the Mass. In those days I could not really see too much around me so I had to depend on others to describe things to me. My mom was my eyes and ears in those days.

I did not have the luxury of a Braille prayer book in those days so I had to depend on my memory to help me keep up with the responses and my dad made sure that I knew them well. Then there were the days when I, along with my family, would go to church with my granny and cousins during vacation time. During the summer vacation at the beach and again at Christmas time.

I have to admit that going to church at Christmas time was always my favorite as I would use the descriptions from Mom and Granny along with my imagination to conjure up images of the Manger, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and a richly decorated church. Once or twice I was called upon to play the organ and oh, how I loved it all.

Yes! Memories of my childhood days at church, memories forever!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan.
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
and you can even take advantage of our free downloads!
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at
There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud; those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

Remembering the comforter

Call me a sap or whatever you will, this is how I felt when I finally decided to part company with my beloved comforter. I had had it for many years and knew exactly what it looked like as I had bought it when I still had vision.

It was so beautiful, with large pink flowers on a white background. It was so crisp and bright and oh how I loved it. I have since bought a new one but it is not quite the same, and why? Because I do not really know what it looks like and I have had to depend on my mom to describe it to me. I can tell you that there is a huge difference between being able to see something for one's self as opposed to having someone to describe it for me.

Oh well, that's life. My beloved comforter is gone to a better place now.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan.
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
and you can even take advantage of our free downloads!
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud; those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

Changing the clocks

There used to be a time when I could change the clocks for myself but since 2004 I have had to depend on sighted assistance. Sure! I can change the talking clocks, and of course! The clocks on my computers automatically change for themselves. But when it comes to those digital clocks then here is where the challenges set in.

I have to ask for sighted assistance to change the digital clocks when we either spring ahead or fall back. There is no way to tell for me as I cannot feel the hands or the digits that represent the hours and minutes.

I have two chiming clocks that are digital but I also have a bird clock and in the case of this one I can feel the hands and the birds on the clock. Just another challenge for me to deal with.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan.
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
and you can even take advantage of our free downloads!
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud; those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

I can hear but she cannot see

This is what happened a few weeks ago when I went to show Mom a news story on my iPad. Mom is not an iPad user and, as a matter of fact, she is not an idevice user in any way. So, any time I get an opportunity to have her interact with either iPhone or iPad, it is a treat for us both.

On this particular day, I wanted to have her read an article from the newspaper and when she went to read it she could hardly see the screen! Strange but I could hear everything and then it dawned on me. The brightness had inadvertently been set way down somehow and all I had to do was to go to the settings option and increase the brightness. Presto! She was then able to see what I was hearing. She would not admit it but she is intrigued by my idevices but won't readily admit it.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan.
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
and you can even take advantage of our free downloads!
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at
There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud; those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

Finding Mom's pills

This was quite an experience for me, recently, when I went to find Mom's pills. She was lying on her couch and having difficulty with her knee and she had asked me to find her pills so that she could take one with a glass of water to help with the pain. So, off I went as per her instructions and directions.

As it turned out, it was not all that difficult after all. Before setting out to find her pills I told her to be as explicit as possible and she was exactly that. I went to her cupboard, felt around on the shelf that she had directed me to, to the correct side of the shelf, and to the precise box.

Mom was bang on. She knew exactly where her pills were and she knew how to describe each step of the way to me. Success!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan.
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
and you can even take advantage of our free downloads!
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud; those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

Where is that illusive flusher?

Every time I think about this particular question, I have to smile to myself, and this is a thing that normally happens in airplane bathrooms and sometimes it also occurs in public washrooms.

The thing is that the flushers are almost never in the same place in an airplane's bathroom and accordingly I often have to feel my way around to find it. Sometimes I can find it all on my own, but then again, whenever I am unable to do so I end up calling on the assistance of one of the friendly hostesses who are always so willing to show me.

It is not quite the same in the case of a public bathroom, however, but I do the best I can. Rest assured that when I go looking for the flusher in any bathroom, be it airplane or public, I always make sure to wrap my hand in a paper towel or toilet tissue before conducting my search.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan.
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
and you can even take advantage of our free downloads!
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud; those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

When airport security does not tell me

I don't think that this is a problem that is only common to me, and if you think about it, this type of problem can happen in almost any situation. So, this is what often happens to me whenever I travel.

I go through security and when it comes to the security agent wanting to search my carry on, they often forget to tell me what they are doing. That is: what they are removing from my bag, where they are putting it, and when they are finished checking it. So, what normally happens is this: I become confused and disoriented. I do not know where they have placed my possessions, and then I have to feel my way around on the counter to find them because nine out of ten times they are surely not going to replace my possessions in my bag.

I recognize that the security area of any airport is almost always a very busy and bustling place to be, but it would be nice if there could be a process whereby things are explained to those of us who are unable to see so that we can be more comfortable and less hesitant.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan.
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
and you can even take advantage of our free downloads!
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at
There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud; those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"