The language barrier

As a blind person much of my communication is carried out through verbal interaction. But whenever I have to interact with someone whose first language is not English then here is where I have to face many challenges.

I am sure that it must not be easy for someone who needs or has to communicate with a blind person if the language they speak is not the first language of the person that they are communicating with. No, not at all, so this makes two of us.

I do not believe that there is much that can be done here other than to suggest that on all sides we pack a bag full of patience and persistence. Much of the time I am able to communicate satisfactorily with someone whose first language is not English but this does not mean that there are not the challenges to go along with it all.

It is probably the same for a sighted person but whereas a sighted person can use either body language or gestures to communicate with someone whose first language is not their language, it is not quite the same for a blind person.

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.
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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 new knitting teacher

Finally I can say that I am well on my way to learning how to knit. After several frustrating months of trying to find the person who is not afraid to teach a blind person how to knit, I have found her and for the last few months I have been working with her.

Her name is Miko and she works at the Purple Purl knitting store in Leslieville, Toronto. To date, I have had a few lessons with her and now I can safely say that I know how to use both needles to produce the basic knitting stitch and in addition I now know how to fix dropped stitches.

Miko is not afraid to teach a blind person. She is patient and creative. She has a terrific attitude and is always watching closely to make sure that I can follow her instructions. She has given me some interesting tests: dropping stitches and asking me to find them and repair them. She has shown me how to use stitch markers and how to use those rubber needle tips to prevent stitches from dropping. Her instructions are very clear and precise and she explains things in a very easy to understand manner.

I am really glad that I have persisted thus far and I look forward to becoming more competent at knitting.

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!"

Me and my coffee machine

Well, in some ways we are great friends but in other ways, like anything else, we sometimes have our fights. However, at the end of the day we are on the same page, so to speak.

Without having any instructions in alternate format, Braille or on cd, I have to make sure that I either remember how to interact with my coffee machine or to write down directions whenever someone tells me how I should be doing things or what I should be doing.

I do not have a talking coffee machine so I have to make sure that it is simple enough for me to be able to use. It is simple enough but Heaven help me if I forget to put the water in the right part of the machine.

I know that there is a light to tell me when it is on and working but not being able to see it I now have to listen for its gurgling sound in order to know what is going on. When I hear the gurgling sound I know that it is working and when the noise ceases then I know that it has finished its task. All in a day's work but I do not mind.

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!"

Waiting for the cab

It is always fun and somewhat interesting each time I call a cab and then stand there waiting for it. I always tell the cab company that I am blind and that I need for the cab driver to come towards me and identify himself to me and to escort me to his cab.

For the most part this strategy works but there is the odd occasion when it does not. Once in a while the cab driver will sit in his cab and wait for me to approach his cab but this quickly changes when he realizes that I am blind. Or once in a while, and not very often at all, he will bang on the outer window if I am standing indoors to catch my attention.

I would say that things have improved greatly when it comes to cab drivers interacting with me as a blind person and it sure makes life a lot easier.

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!"

Trying on new clothes with Mom

I have come to enjoy and treasure each of these very special times, trying on new clothes with Mom, and I know that she, too, thoroughly enjoys it all. I have always enjoyed these special times but now that I can no longer see colors, they are even more special to me.

Mom and I go into a store but before she starts to look for what I want, I have told her what colors I am looking for: suit or matching pants/skirts and blouses/sweaters. Mom does not waste any time getting down to business. She checks out the entire layout of the store, very quickly locating what she needs to look at and with me at her heels we then take a bit more time inspecting and here is where she takes her time to describe everything in minute detail. Everything from color to type of material and where and when she thinks I can wear the clothes in question. At a business function versus at a dinner party or at a sporting event.

By the time we have completed our inspections, Mom and I are loaded down with clothes for me to try on and there are things for her, too. We then go to the changing room and here is where we spend quite some time trying on each piece with Mom asking me to turn towards the mirror so that she can give it the mom's check.

Mom checks me out visually and, in turn, I check out her potential purchases by checking the length of her skirts and the fit across her shoulders. We have so much fun doing this and by the time we're done we have bought almost everything that we have picked out.

Ah yes! Trying on new clothes with Mom! Treasured moments for the rest of my life.

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 my software stopped speaking

I can still remember when this very thing happened. Thank goodness that it does not happen very often but the most recent time when it did there was a brief period of panic until I decided to settle my nerves and ask my mom to check the screen.

I had been recording one of my audio mysteries and upon completion of recording I decided to disconnect the microphone from the computer. That did it! My software stopped speaking immediately and I was literally left hanging, so to speak. I tried all kinds of things. I kept pressing the escape key then the alt and F4 keys but all to no avail. I then rebooted the computer and nothing. Then I called in sighted help in the form of my mom who came into the room and with a gentle demeanour she read the message on the screen. The message told me that a piece of hardware had been unplugged and that I needed to plug it back in. I knew immediately what I needed to do.

So, with my mom standing by, I reinserted the connection from my microphone to the computer and voila! My software recommenced its speaking. Since then I have had two incidents of a similar nature but I was ready when they occurred.

I am a bit wiser now and more prepared for any future similar incidents. A great learning experience for me.

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!"

Checking the money twice

For some time now, we in Canada have had to deal with a set of new currency. That is, our bank notes are now of a different texture and feel and we need to be more careful each time we handle these notes.

For the most part, these notes have been received quite well. There are Braille dots on the notes to help a blind person decipher them. The notes are made of a plastic-like fabric so that they last longer and are more durable. The notes have different colors but for me that does not help as my vision is not good enough to help me.

However, here is the drawback for me. The notes often stick to each other so that when I go to remove them from my wallet, I have to make doubly sure that I am only withdrawing what I need. The notes are a bit slippery when placed against each other so it takes a bit of getting used to. This is why I have to check my money at least twice each time I handle 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 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!"

The black screen

This is what it is like for me any time my software stops speaking to me. The screen may have something on it but, alas! I can no longer see the screen so it might as well be black to me. However, I recently discovered a very useful app that can help me anytime I run into this type of situation.

It is called the KNFB reader app and this is what I have started to do. Each time my software does not speak to me, that is it stops speaking to me, I take out my iPhone and load my KNFB reader app. Then I take a picture with it and presto! I am told what is on my screen. Nifty, aye?

Now I am able to better handle those so-called black screens and I do not need to panic or go looking for sighted help.

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!"

The unexpected hole

Just imagine my surprise when I found that unexpected hole. Without any warning, there it was and at the time I was not using my cane, so down I went, tumbling face first into it. The good thing is that the hole was not all that deep but it was, indeed, a surprise.

I do not think that this would be any different for a sighted person who did not see an unexpected hole and ended up falling face first. No, a very similar action. For me, I just need to be very careful. Even when I am in unfamiliar territory with sighted guide for company, I need to be on guard all of the time because I should not entirely depend on my sighted guide to tell me everything.

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!"

The haptic way of telling the time

Now I can tell the time without having to disturb anyone. That is, I do not have to have my i device announce it to me nor do I need to press a button to hear a synthesized voice tell me. Nor do I need to click open a Braille watch to find out what time it is.

About two years ago I bought a very nifty little gadget that I now use to keep me informed of the time. It is shaped like a small shell and there are 3 tiny buttons that are shaped like pin heads. The topmost one tells you the hour, the middle one tells you the minutes in units of tens, and the bottom button tells you in terms of single digits.

When you press any of the buttons vibrations tell you what is going on and in this way no one can hear what you are feeling on your fingers. This is a nifty little gadget that is the brain child of a Swiss manufacturer. So now I can now tell the time without anyone knowing that I am doing 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 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!"