No, it was not the first day of summer! The longest day

As a follow up to yesterday's blog, I can also say that it was probably one of the longest days in my life.

It started with me sitting at my computer and waiting for my friends across Canada to start feeding me with a blow by blow commentary on each step to the royal assent of Bill C-81; the enactment of the Accessible Canada Act!

They did not disappoint me! From Albert in BC to Robin in Saskatchewan, and from Anthony in Montreal to Louise in Nova Scotia, they kept me abreast and at times it felt as if I could just reach out and touch the Governor General as she made her way to the Senate to perform the deed!

I could practically hear the silence as those in the gallery waited with bated breath for her to create history! My palms were soaked and I could feel the chills rolling down my back! Then, like a butterfly coming to rest on my shoulder, it was over and it was time to celebrate!

The tears came furiously and quickly and I was not ashamed to let them roll down my cheeks! It  was over and now it was time to sit back and savour the moment.

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.

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

Subscribe to my monthly newsletter!

'Let's Talk Tips' is my monthly resource for the most current and reliable informational tips available in the areas of Technology, Nutrition, Media, Business, and Advocacy.  http://bit.ly/ADJSubscribe

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

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

A historic day: At the Senate Standing Committee hearing

I don’t think that I will ever forget this day: a historical one for me.

Weather-wise, it was a miserable day as Sue drove me to the studio. The rain was pouring and for the good driver that she is, she  got me there on time and safely.

We had to wait for a bit but finally, when I was seated next to the Honourable David Omley, past Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, I was ready to roll as they say!

I hope that I did a good job with my presentation but unfortunately I developed a coughing fit right after I was finished with my presentation and had to take a two minute break. David was very helpful as he went out and fetched Sue who brought me some water. That helped and saved the day for me.

I was really glad that the Honourable David was there beside me as he helped to make things more comfortable and much less stressful.  As a person with a vision impairment, it is always uncomfortable when I sit in a room with cameras facing me and others can see me but, in turn, I cannot see them.

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.

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

Subscribe to my monthly newsletter!

'Let's Talk Tips' is my monthly resource for the most current and reliable informational tips available in the areas of Technology, Nutrition, Media, Business, and Advocacy.  http://bit.ly/ADJSubscribe

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

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

A landmark victory for all Canadians: November 29, 2010

And as I sit here writing this blog, I can still feel the tears rolling down my face and chills running up my back.  It was probably one of the most important days in my life!  For it was the day when I and my team received a lower Canadian Court's decision that our charter challenge to the Canadian Government over their inaccessible websites was successful.

I can honestly admit now that I had no idea that it would ever get this far and beyond!  I had no clue as to the actions, reactions, pro actions, and large ripple effects that this could have had!

For me, it was all about doing what I thought was right.  To protect the future of our kids and to raise my voice on behalf of blind and vision-impaired Canadians and all Canadians with a disability!  I can only liken my feeling to one where I just managed to scale one of the highest waves in the ocean!

As the late Richard Quan tweeted, "A landmark victory for all Canadians!" Richard was one of my many mentors and in his memory I say, may the fight continue!

I give thanks to God for having given me the strength to do this!  To my lawyer David Baker, accessibility expert Jutta Treviranus, and mentors Robin East and Denise Sanders. To John Rea and Sharlyn Ayotte for their constant support and to Susan Pinder for all of her help and encouragement.  Finally to Derek Wilson and Gabriella Sharrard and so many others who helped to make a difference.

This day shall forever remain with me!

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.

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

Subscribe to my monthly newsletter!

'Let's Talk Tips' is my monthly resource for the most current and reliable informational tips available in the areas of Technology, Nutrition, Media, Business, and Advocacy.  http://bit.ly/ADJSubscribe

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

New and exciting! Video conferencing

One never knows when a brand new experience presents itself and this is what happened in October 2018 when I appeared via video conferencing in front of the House of Commons Committee for Bill C81: the proposed Accessible Canada Act.

I have to admit that it was extremely anxious and nerve racking for me.  I was put into a room on my own and then I had to communicate with members of the standing committee who were grouped in Ottawa.  Here was the picture.

I was on my own in a room in downtown Toronto.
I was communicating with a group of committee members via video conferencing in Ottawa.
I had instructions to look into the camera whenever I spoke.
I, along with five others who were called witnesses, presented on that day.
We all answered questions from committee members.
The entire session was recorded and lasted for almost an hour!

Ah, yes!  Another new experience.

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
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

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

She was unique: Remembering Kathy Gooch

Sometimes I am forced to sit back for just a few precious moments and to say, "Thank you."  Sometimes I am truly touched by the good deeds of others but most of all I am always cognizant of those who are true Human Beings.

This is what Kathy Gooch meant to me.  She was not just the admin assistant to her boss, Jim Karygiannis, past MP and now Counselor!  She was a person who got it when it came to understanding the trials and tribulations of persons who are blind and visually impaired. 

Kathy played a huge role in helping me to refine my patience, dedication, and commitment.  She helped me to find ways to deal with the enormous system called Government and she showed me how to find ways to work with rather than work against.

Kathy knew the right things to say at the right times.  She knew how to put me in touch with the right people and together she and I navigated many a rough sea over the years.

Kathy was instrumental when it came to her boss, Jim Karygiannis, leading the charge to have Toronto City Council pass a motion to support my initiative to lobby the Federal Government to pass a Canadians With Disabilities Act and for this I am eternally grateful.

2009 - Kathy led the charge to have Jim Karygiannis issue a press release on Blind Canadians not receiving important info in a timely manner.
2010 - Kathy led the charge to have the Federal Liberal Party make their website accessible.
2011 - Kathy was instrumental in arranging for me to meet with the Federal Liberal Caucus.
2015 - Kathy arranged for Jim Karygiannis to put forward a motion at Toronto City Council to support my initiative for the passage of a Canadians With Disabilities Act.
Of course there was much more.

Thank you, Kathy!  Thank you for all that you did for me!  Until we meet again!

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  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
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 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Listen to our kids

In the normal scheme of things, we feel that it is our kids who need to listen to us, but sometimes we need to listen to our kids. Whenever we think that they are not paying attention, then guess what? They are and much more than we think. Whenever we think that they are shutting us out, it is we who are doing it, not them.

In November of 2010, I was invited to visit the Grove Community School by two teachers of a grade one class. Shannon and Velvet wanted me to meet a group of my youngest supporters in my present court case against the Canadian Government. Before I visited, Shannon told me that these little ones had sent a letter to the Prime Minister asking him to make the government of Canada websites accessible to blind persons.

Just imagine my surprise as I sat among these young minds listening to their questions. They were not afraid to ask me anything. Their questions were intelligent, intuitive, and you know what? They had not been coached by anyone. Straight out of the mouths of babes, so to speak! Such bright stars and who knows! Maybe our future prime minister could have been among this bunch of enthusiastic youngsters?

As I walked out of the school on that crisp fall morning I looked up to the Heavens and shook my head with relief. I felt that we were in excellent hands! All we need to do now is to listen to our kids.

Note: In May 2011, I received an email from Shannon Green informing me of the following: These little gems managed to convince their parents to take their message one step further. To a Congress of Labor conference in Vancouver where over 1000 delegates voted to pass a resolution asking their over two million workers to demand that the government drop their appeal to my court case!

I’m Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and tell others about me. Come visit me at www.sterlingcreations.ca.

Pushing Beyond the Blue Horizon

For me, it has always been a matter of pushing the envelope that little much further or maybe I should say that it is pushing beyond the blue horizon.  I don't think that if I were sighted I would be any different.  To me, it's a matter of doing things that would encourage others like me to get up and reach for the stars.  I feel that it is my obligation to help other blind persons to maximize their potential; to reach for the sky, to enjoy as much as they can in a world where most sighted people still have difficulty understanding and believing that blind persons can do certain things despite their lack of sight. 

 

I have learned to ice skate and it has become one of my passions.  I have learned to ski and I intend to enjoy it as much as I can.  I enjoy the outdoors, and I also push the envelope when it comes to challenging my government to make their websites accessible to all blind persons.  This is why I am presently suing the Canadian Government over inaccessible websites and unequal access to governmental information. 

 

Sometimes, I do things that take me out of my comfort's zone but you know what?  My objective is always to do something that has the potential to make things better for Blind Canadians first and foremost and then other blind persons elsewhere.  Whatever I do, I always do my best to ensure that it is done professionally, and in a manner that will help the mainstream world to become believers and followers.  

 

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and encouraging you to go out there and become believers and followers.  To learn more about me, visit www.sterlingcreations.ca.

Unequal Access to Information

This is one of the greatest injustices that exists today for persons who are unable to see: unequal access to information. Many mainstream folks may be shocked to read this, but to my community it is no shock. Governments continue to turn a blind eye to this problem. They are fully aware of this very gross injustice but yet they fail to act appropriately and quickly. The Canadian government is one such government, and this is why I am presently involved in a charter challenge against them.

What exactly is a charter challenge? In short, I am suing the Canadian government over inaccessible websites. This esteemed government once occupied the position as the number one government in the world to be an accessible entity on the Internet; but sadly no more. This government continues to spend the taxpayer’s precious money to fight me on an issue that is clear to everyone else but themselves. It would not surprise me if they have spent way over a million dollars thus far to do so. They continue to pay their lawyers to try and assassinate my character instead of focusing on the issue at hand. They continue to refuse to admit that indeed, they are depriving blind and visually-impaired Canadians of their God-given right to equal access to information.

To put the picture into capsule form: Blind and visually-impaired Canadians are unable to access vital governmental information on the Internet. They are unable to complete request forms independently, access information on their pensions, important health topics, statistical data that they need in order to keep abreast of country wide trends, plus much more. Mainstream Canadians can access all of this, but we are unable to do so because the information is not being provided to us in alternate formats.

As long as we are unable to have equal access to information on the Internet, we will continue to face such chronic problems as barriers to job opportunities as well as financial opportunities. In addition, our privacy, confidentiality and independence will continue to be trampled upon. What are alternate formats? Formats that can be read by our screen reading software such as MSWord, RTF, Text, and HTML.

For anyone who is not sure, for the most part PDF formats are not accessible to us for many reasons, and I am going to direct you to a very good url where you can learn why PDF formats are no good for those of us who are afflicted with vision loss. Visit http://www.rnib.org.uk/wacblog/pdf/why-pdfs-suck/

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your accessibility and special-needs business consultant, wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and help lobby governments and companies to make information accessible to everyone.