The luck of the draw: Immigration officers at Pearson Airport

I don't think that the immigration officers at Pearson Airport should be considered any differently than others that I have met throughout my travels.

There are great ones, some not so great ones, and ones that continue to disappoint me. There are ones that are friendly, ones that are simply doing their jobs, and others who seem downright unhappy to be in their jobs.

I cannot say that male officers are better than female officers and visa versa. The same for older officers versus younger officers. I guess that what I am trying to say is that it all comes down to the luck of the draw.

I simply listen carefully to the tone of the officer's voice when choosing how to interact. A friendly tone has me smiling all the way and a stern or serious tone has me adopting a similar approach.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids, with their wide eyed smiles and infectious laughter, is secured forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

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Friendly places and friendly faces: At the Massy Pharmacy

It always helps, whenever one enters a pharmacy, that there is a friendly pharmacist just waiting to be of service. Most of all, one who is friendly, helpful, and so very knowledgeable.

This is the description of the pharmacist at the Massy pharmacy. I simply enjoy my encounters with her each time I visit this particular pharmacy. She does not treat me any differently as someone with a vision impairment. She takes everything in stride. She answers my questions, shows me where to insert my card when I come to pay for my purchases, and she is always so very pleasant.

I just wish that more persons in the service industry could be more like her.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids, with their wide eyed smiles and infectious laughter, is secured forever.

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Always refreshing: At Price Mart

I am always so very excited and happy each time I visit the Price Mart facility with Mom and friends. This is such a huge facility with so many things to smell, touch, and taste! And, oh yes, an atmosphere of hustle and bustle and overactive chatter amongst everyone!

There is much for me to learn about as we traverse the aisles. So much for me to hear, and ask questions about. So many new things to discover!

Price Mart is simply a very refreshing experience for me each time I visit it. I can't help but marvel over what is there, what there is to buy, and what I should not buy if I desire to keep my bank under control!

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids, with their wide eyed smiles and infectious laughter, is secured forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

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Things to ponder: Thinking of the road ahead

This is the all-important quandary that I find myself in: what could the road ahead be like for me as an advocate?  It has been a very long and traveled one for me but now that my advocacy mentor, Chris Stark, is no longer

here to walk alongside me, this road now seems to be very empty!

It no longer seems appealing to me, now that Chris is gone! He was not just my mentor, but my sounding board! My friend, my conscience, and my belief in myself!

I know that Chris would want me to carry on but with so many apologies to you Chris! I no longer seem to have the passion or energy to do so.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids, with their wide eyed smiles and infectious laughter, is secured forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

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And it continues! The challenges of unequal access to education

This is what I am presently facing as I move into the final stages of my law degree. Things started off so well but since 2016, this university has started to slide backwards in its provision of accessibility services to students with special needs.

In short, what it advertises on its website is not exactly what it provides. It is no longer providing texts in alternate formats. Its virtual learning experience is far from being accessible. Statute books are not accessible

and come exam time it is extremely difficult to convert statute books in PDF formats that have not been appropriately tagged for accessible content.

Above all, it is becoming more difficult to extract timely responses from the special arrangements department.

I can only hope that this changes soon.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids, with their wide eyed smiles and infectious laughter, is secured forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

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Just as she sounded: Meeting my legal coach for the first time

I did not go to meet her with any expectations but when I did meet her I was so very pleased. In short, her voice matched her warmth, welcoming nature, and openness.

I sure enjoyed meeting Davina on that warm end-of-August morning in 2019. Mom and I sat and chatted with her as Ramlall and his wife waited outside for us. Then she introduced us to her adorable little dog, Bella, who was so much like her mistress.

Bella, too, was welcoming and so giving. I can only say that Davina's voice sure matched my perception of her and it was so wonderful for me to have discovered this.

I first connected with Davina in 2016 when she voluntarily agreed to be my legal coach. We have worked well together and although she is a very hard task master, she is thorough and has my back at every step.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids, with their wide eyed smiles and infectious laughter, is secured forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

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So very frustrating: When there was no cable service

On this particular morning I woke up to a very interesting experience. I had turned on Mom's TV and there was no sound.  At first I thought that something might be wrong with the TV but when I turned on Mom's second TV I was met with the same situation. No sound.

So, I waited until Mom had come into the kitchen and together we started to troubleshoot.  Soon I decided to phone the offices downstairs to see if they had cable service and they did.

After some discussion with Mom I phoned the cable company and after going through the normal checks with the service rep it was determined that Mom's cable service was cut because there had been an error on her bill. This being that she owed some money to the cable company.  

This was straightened out in quick order and the happy ending was that Mom received her cable service once more.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids, with their wide eyed smiles and infectious laughter, is secured forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

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Working together: Now he understands

I have known him for so many years now but just recently I finally felt that our driver, Ramlall, understands.  Gone are the days when he was not too helpful whenever I needed some guiding in order to get around because I think that he believed that I had enough sight to do so.  Now, however, Ramlall is always there to lend me his helping hand.

He not only gives me his hand, he gives me verbal instructions and boy are they so very good.  Ramlall is always so very cheerful, so optimistic, and always there to be one of the first to offer his assistance.

He never makes me feel uncomfortable and goes out of his way to ensure that I am okay.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids, with their wide eyed smiles and infectious laughter, is secured forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

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A humourous experience: Showing photos with no screens

This is probably one of the most hilarious experiences for me: showing photos with no screens. I'd like for you to think of it like this.

I am sitting at my computer and I invite my mom to come into my office because I wish to show her some photos that were sent to me by someone who had taken the time to snap them with their iPhone.  

Of course, I have no idea what I am showing her and even worse is that I do not even know if the screen is on or off.  Mom sits and waits and after a moment's silence she tells me that my screen is off!  Bingo, and now I am aware that in order for her to see what I think she should be seeing I hasten to turn on my screen.  

From here on in things run very smoothly. Mom does not comment on my faux pas and I do not even try to complain or defend myself but truth be told we are both laughing inwardly.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids, with their wide eyed smiles and infectious laughter, is secured forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

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Fun and games: Tiny steps to avoid tiny toys

This is the fun and games strategy for me whenever I am around those little ones who are playing on the floor with their little toys.  The object of the game is for me to ensure that I do not step, not just on their toys, but also on them!

As someone with several cousins who were much younger than me, I had a lot of practice doing this growing up. Then, when I had nieces and nephews later on, my strategy came in handy.  

I was always anxious to ensure that I did not step on anything or anyone and the way to do that was to take tiny steps as nothing else would work for me.  Of course, I ran into difficulty from time to time but I am happy to report that I survived it all.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids, with their wide eyed smiles and infectious laughter, is secured forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

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Developing a new strategy: Searching for the cotton balls

This was another experience for me: searching for cotton balls on Mom's dresser in her bathroom.  

The biggest hint was that they were in a small glass jar but I needed to ensure that I took my time to find said jar.  So, I needed to be extremely careful in navigating amongst the various objects on her dresser.

I developed a plan in that I started on the top lefthand corner of the dresser and worked my way across to the top righthand corner.  Then I would return to the lefthand side and repeat the process going from left to right and going downward.

After a few minutes I found my target and with very gentle fingers I lifted the lid and voila! I had found my cotton balls!

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids, with their wide eyed smiles and infectious laughter, is secured forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

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A new adventure: Cleaning Mom's pipes

This was a very new and enjoyable experience for me. In the summer of 2019, I offered to clean Mom's pipes; in the kitchen sink, the wash basins, and the tub.  

This time I depended on my sense of touch to help me out. I used my fingers to help me determine how much I had to clean. The surfaces were all rough and I had to use lots of hand pressure and several pieces of sandpaper to smooth out everything.

It took me several hours of hard work and when it was all done there was Mom, beaming and smiling with satisfaction.  She even told me that she would hire me to do a permanent job for her.  

I never knew how many parts there were to a pipe. First, the pipe itself. Next the faucet and finally the top and bottom of the pipe itself.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids, with their wide eyed smiles and infectious laughter, is secured forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Who is Santa Claus? By Donna J. Jodhan

He comes primarily at Christmastime but did you know that he is always with us?  Many of our youngest ones think that he lives in the far North but in reality he lives anywhere and everywhere.

In North America and colder countries, he makes his entry into our homes through our chimneys and the modern day Santa can also leave his presents outside the doors of our condos and town houses.  He can travel in so many different ways; on a sleigh, on a motorcycle, on a truck, by bicycle, by ship or boat, by plane or helicopter, and even on foot.  It all depends on where he is and what he needs to do in order to get where he needs to go.

Believe it or not, Santa Claus goes by so many different names and it can easily be said that he has several different aliases.  In the colder countries he is known as either Santa Claus or Father Christmas.  In the Eastern countries he is known as St. Nick and in the warmer tropical countries he is known as Sandy Claus!  Of course, there are other names for him as well.

To the wide-eyed kid he is the one in a red suit that wears a white beard and he has a huge laugh of ho, ho, ho!  He brings toys and goodies down the chimneys of homes and he hands out gifts at malls and at parties.  He shows up at parades; he hands out toys from open roofed trucks, and he lugs his goodies on bicycles, motorcycles and on his back.  He even drops off his gifts by ship, boat, helicopter, and plane.

This is who he is to those little ones who still believe in Santa.  However, there is more to this fat jolly man than just the one who does these things.

Whenever we smile at a stranger, nod a greeting to someone that we do not know, or take the time to give a gift to someone who is less fortunate than we are, these are all deeds of Santa's generosity. In essence, we too are Santa Claus in our own way but we do not have to wait until Christmas to do this.  

The secret of Christmas may be this!  It's not the things you do at Christmas time, but the Christmas things you do all year through!  Taken from a Christmas song.

Merry Christmas from me!

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The Christmas feeling

Christmas for me is simply a plethora of feelings, emotions, and so much more.  Christmas for me is a season where so many memories race across my mind.  I can tell you that Christmas for me can be viewed in two different ways: as someone who has precious little vision and as one who once upon a time had enough vision to see so much.

When I had enough vision to see many things, I could appreciate the flickering candles in church, the flashing colored lights as I skated around an outdoor rink, crowded streets with scurrying shoppers, Christmas trees loaded with decorations and presents piled high beneath, tables loaded with dishes of food. And, of course!  Santa Claus!  I used to spend so much time in the toy departments admiring the dolls and doll houses.  Drawing sets and coloring books.  I used to help decorate the house and always enjoyed putting up the angels, the lights, and most of all the manger with all of the figures.  

Now that my vision has dwindled to almost nothing, I have all of these memories to bolster my enjoyment of Christmas, and in addition, I use my senses of sound and smell to help me continue enjoying.  Fragrances of burning firewood, pine, baking cookies, and turkey and pork all help me to conjure up pictures and images of years gone by.  Sounds of bells, kids laughing, Santa Claus ho ho hoing, and the scraping of blades on ice add to my happy memories.  You see, I have so many ways to recreate, reproduce, and make new memories.

Christmas as a blind person could be really interesting.  So much to enjoy and so much to share with others.  Christmas through the eyes of a blind person could be a very different perspective for many.  You can learn more by visiting www.acb.org.

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

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

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Visit my 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 my free downloads!

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Some day at Christmas

One of my favourite Christmas carols is "Some day at Christmas,” made popular by the late Michael Jackson.  Yes, some day at Christmas, when I could wake up on a peaceful morning and welcome yet another special day with my loved ones around me and the Christ Child in my heart.  

When I would be able to say, "Finally!  All is well and now blind kids will have an equal opportunity to be like their mainstream counterparts."  When they can play with mainstream toys and be able to use cell phones and IPods just like sighted kids.  When they would be able to play with games just like their sighted friends and not have to worry about inaccessibility.  When their classrooms and playgrounds would be free of accessibility barriers and they would have an equal opportunity to be just kids!

Some day at Christmas, when I could go to bed just before Santa makes his rounds knowing that all of my wishes have been granted.  That all websites have been made  accessible.  That all supermarkets and stores have  been made fully accessible to blind persons.  That online courses and distance learning have all been made accessible and usable to blind persons.  That blind persons have equal access to all reading materials in the same way that sighted persons do.  

Some day at Christmas, after Santa has come  and gone leaving a huge package for me under my Christmas tree, I could wake up and say, "Finally!  The banks have finally gotten it!  Their ATMs are now fully accessible.  Blind persons can now access all point of sale devices and touch screens without having to ask for sighted assistance. Blind passengers can now access kiosks at airports, they can enjoy movies on board aircrafts, and no more problems at airports, train stations, and bus terminals for them."

Some day at Christmas, as I sit quietly in a church along with others waiting for the Christmas Mass to begin, I could say, "Thank you God for ensuring that from now on society will treat blind persons as normal persons who can function on their own and the only thing wrong with them is that they are unable to see."

Some day at Christmas!  Ah, yes, it is only my dreams but who says that dreams don't come true?  The smell of cookies baking in my kitchen is real!  Christmas Carols being played around me are real!  Children laughing and families decorating are real!  Is it too much for me to ask Santa to help make my dreams come true?

The late Steve Jobs made some of my dreams and those of other blind persons come true!  Dare I dream that there could be another Steve Jobs out there just waiting to bring hope to the blind world?

I'm Donna J. Jodhan wishing you a very merry Christmas!

Joyeux noèl!  Feliz Navidad!

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