Commercials with no descriptions

These commercials continue to exist and for me as a blind person they are simply an irritant that makes me truly disappointed and unhappy.

It is so very annoying to me whenever a commercial is displayed on the TV screen and the announcer says, "for further information call the number on your screen."

This effectively is a deterrent for a blind person because we cannot read the number on our screen. In addition, there are many seniors who are unable to do the same because they are either not fast enough to copy down the number or they, too, are unable to see the number on the screen.

There are other times when a commercial may contain actions with no sound to match the action and I say to this then, what am I supposed to infer from this?

I can only wish that there are producers out there who are paying attention and in the near future this will change. I would hasten to add that things have improved and continue to improve but at a very slow rate.

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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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!"

No sound, but pictures

This is what happened a few months ago when my cable box got all mucked up and then the TV followed suit. Good thing that Mom was there to help save the day for me. No sound, no nothing. Just the low hum of the TV to my ears.

Now, if she was not there to tell me that pictures were still showing, then I might have taken a wrong turn with regard to my problem solving. As a matter of fact, I can guarantee you that I would have done just that.

I would probably have ended up calling the management office for help. I am not sure what Mom did but she fiddled with the remote and within a minute or two the sound returned and much to my relief. All in a day's work, as I would put 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!"

Mom and me with my iPad

It is so very enjoyable each time Mom and I get together to spend a few minutes with my iPad. This usually takes place whenever I wish to share an article or photo with her. Something that I am reading from the newspaper or from Facebook.

First I tell her what I am reading. Then I ask her if she would like to read/see it. If she says yes then I either walk over to her chair with iPad in hand or she will sometimes walk over to me. And there she would stand attentively and read out loud as I continue to right click along with my finger so that she could continue to read.

These are the moments that I most enjoy. The two of us, close together, sharing information and oh, yes! Mom comments as she reads and if it is a photo, she certainly gives her commentary.

This is so enjoyable for me as I get to listen to Mom's comments, her thoughts, and to her vivid descriptions of whatever photos are there. Mom is so good with this, I can surely recommend her to be an audio describer.

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 water pick

In late 2014 I decided to get a water pick but guess what? There were no instructions in a format that I could read and this was not surprising. The instructions came in regular printed format so Mom had to read it to me.

She was very careful and at the end of it all I was quite comfortable that I had had a great orientation to my new little gadget. The first few nights were very interesting as I played around with my water pick making sure not to have it squirt me and everything around. I managed.

Today, I am feeling much more comfortable with my water pick. I keep it simple and use my sense of touch to help me navigate around my gums with my water pick. Just another little gadget that has joined 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!"

Playing hide and seek at school

Boy did I ever have so much fun doing this and the memories sure linger on for me! Those were the days when my vision was quite limited. That is, before I received my first cornea transplant.

I will tell you that my playmates were all blind with varying levels of vision or lack of. Anything from high partial vision to none at all. I probably fell into the category of being able to see shapes and colors, light and very large objects.

We made up our own rules. We played fast and wild but at the end of the day we always treated each other with respect and fairness. We never took advantage of anyone for their lack of vision and those with more vision than others were extremely considerate.

This is who we were as kids; just enjoying a game of hide and seek and making up the game as we went along.

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 Margie

I still have vivid memories of her but I am not sure if my memories really do her justice. Or I should say I am not sure if my memories are that accurate.

Margie came into my life when I was but a wee one! I somehow remember her as being dark in color, small, and a bit moody. I remember, too, that I used to play with her but at that time of my life I did not have enough vision to really see her.

There is one particular memory of Margie that I have and sadly enough this memory was one of her the day before she passed on. She was seated on the dresser beside our kitchen sink and I was standing very close to her. Her face was practically touching mine and I am not really sure how we both managed to get there.

I was not afraid because I knew that my parents were close by, seated at our dining room table, watching us. It seems to me that Margie and I stood there so close to each other for quite some time, then she jumped down and was gone.

My mom would later reflect that she often thought of this particular memory wondering what was going on in dear Margie's mind at that moment.

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!"

Cooking is more fun now

Now that I no longer have enough vision to see what I am doing in my kitchen, I seem to have lots more fun cooking. This may sound strange to many but the thing is that what you don't see you don't worry about.

So if something has spilled or something has inadvertently fallen out of my pot, I won't know until it is time to clean up. Or if I smell something burning then I know that something has somehow fallen either onto or through the element of my stove and I need to take action.

Cooking is still a lot of fun for me. I have to depend more on my senses of smell, taste, and touch to help me out. No more being able to see if my meat is brown. I have to use my fork or skewer to check to see if the meat is cooked. The same goes for vegetables and when I bake casseroles I have to remove the dish from the oven and check carefully to make sure that it is fully cooked. Here is where my sense of taste comes to my rescue.

I suppose that many sighted folks would do the same but I need to be extra careful. I use my sense of touch to measure ingredients. I also use my sense of touch to make sure that I know where the edges or rims of pots, pans, and dishes are. I am extra careful with hot things.

So there you go, more fun for me cooking without sight.

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!"

Visualizing the pottery creations

Now that I have completed my pottery classes for the time being, it is time for me to start visualizing my creations. I made lots of things: pots, fruit bowls, small square dishes, and sea shells along with a tiny tea holder.

I had such fun choosing the colors for my creations and in my mind's eye I can clearly visualize what they look like now that I am unable to see them for myself. The pots are green. The fruit bowls are yellow with green rims. The square dishes are blue and the sea shells are green. The tea holder is beige. And oh yes! I also made some snowmen, Christmas stars, and gingerbread men!

I had lots of fun creating my pottery and I am still in disbelief that I have been able to do it. I can certainly visualize it all, through touch and then using my memory to remember the colors!

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 Martha's drawings

She was a very talented little artist at age nine and how well I remember her drawing for me. She drew my beloved Scottie bird sitting proudly on his purple perch. His orange head with its crown proudly on display.

She drew stick figures for me, then she drew the sky and the grass. In those days she would draw anything that I asked her to and she did it with such ease and alacrity. She was always so willing to draw and with a laugh and a smile she would come to me and place it gently in my hands. Then I would look at it and smile! "Well done, Martha!" I would tell her.

Then she would only utter a soft "thank you" and then run away about her business. Soon enough, however, she would be back with another drawing to show me. This all took place when she and her dad spent three weeks with Mom and me when she was nine years old. I had such fun then and shall always remember.

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!"