A new experience: When the bank changed

It was quite an experience for me when, in the late spring of 2017, the Royal Bank branch at the Bridlewood Mall began renovating its facilities.  For so many years I had been used to the layout, so when I was told what was happening I had to develop a new way to navigate my favorite branch.

I had always been able to visualize this branch's facilities because I had been able to see what it looked like when I had enough vision.  Now it would be different and I would need to depend on others to describe things to me.

My mom and my friends, Sue and Gabriella, have done a masterful job at filling me in and the staff have been so good at helping me out.  However, it is not quite the same when someone else describes things to you.

Remember now, a picture is worth a thousand words and no two people describe things to you in the same way.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit
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.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minute mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.donnajodhan.com/takeanother5.html.

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Telephone banking is for me

Ever since telephone banking came into existence, I have taken full advantage of it. I really enjoy doing my banking this way. It gives me privacy and independence. It allows and enables me to conduct my banking transactions in privacy and I do not have to ask a sighted person to assist me.

So what is telephone banking all about? Well, where I bank which is at the Royal Bank of Canada, I use a 1-800 number to do my banking. I can carry out such banking transactions as: Pay bills, check account balances, transfer funds, deal with credit transactions, update accounts, plus so much more.

Telephone banking is fast, independent, and I am the only one who needs to communicate between me and my accounts. No having to ask anyone for help and staff is available to me by simply pressing the 0 button.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and inviting you to go out there and tell others about telephone banking. Visit www.aph.org to learn more about the world of blind persons.

The Daunting Statistics

Many more blind persons are unemployed or under employed than employed and it's a chronic problem that is also a global one.  The stats range from a figure of about 70% to over 80% so take your pick.  This problem does not seem to be going away and will not go away unless we change attitudes and break down barriers in the workplace, on the Internet, and elsewhere. 

 

I have been very fortunate to have worked for three of Canada's best companies; the Royal Bank of Canada, the Bank of Montreal, and IBM Canada and I am truly grateful for many of the experiences that I have managed to garner from my employment.  However, there are still so many things that need to be addressed when it comes to employment of blind persons. 

 

I have been working for myself for the past 15 years and I truly enjoy it but again as an entrepreneur like other sighted entrepreneurs, there are challenges to face and as a blind entrepreneur, it is even more challenging.  Somehow we have to work to lower the statistics that I have listed above.

 

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and help spread the word that yes!  Blind persons can indeed become contributing members of society.  Just give them a chance.  Visit www.rnib.org or www.afb.org to learn more.

Are All Blind Persons Unemployed?

I'd like to take a few minutes of your time to clear up a very false myth.  I am not going to bash society for this terrible misconception; rather, I am going to try and clear it up. So here is the question of the day:  Are all blind persons unemployed?

 

Answer!  No!  Believe it or not, many blind persons work for a living but sad to say, not nearly enough of us work.  I have had a very interesting career.  I have worked for such companies as the Bank of Montreal, IBM Canada, and the Royal Bank of Canada.  I have been working for myself for the past 15 years and I continue to enjoy relatively good success as a blind entrepreneur.  I continue to advocate for more blind persons to be hired in the workplace and to become entrepreneurs.

 

There are some very daunting statistics that we as blind persons need to deal with however and that is; the more than 80% of under employed or unemployed blind persons as a whole.  Not just in North America, but on a global level.  Employed blind persons can be found in such professions as: As lawyers, programmers, admin assistants, psychologists and psychiatrists, social workers, translators, and the list is growing.  More and more blind persons are starting to venture out as entrepreneurs.  

 

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and asking you to go out there and tell the rest of the world that yes indeed! blind persons can and do work for a living.  Visit www.tbase.com to read about one of Canada's most successful blind female entrepreneurs.