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

He was one in a million: Remembering Mr. Q

The best way to remember this exceptional man is for me to say that he was bigger than life!  I met Richard Quan in late 2008 and the minute I did I knew on the spot that I had met someone who would probably influence my life.  I was so right!

I did not interact with him very often but when I did they were encounters that were so very meaningful to me.  Richard was my mentor and coach while I was president of the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians, and boy, what a difference he made!

He advised me on how to deal with certain difficult situations and his encouragement was so surreal.  He gave selflessly of himself and he always had time for me whenever I reached out to him.

Richard had an uncanny ability to fill the room whenever we had meetings. There was standing room only whenever he chaired a meeting and he had the ability to capture and hold the attention of many whenever he spoke and advised.  Richard advised me to continue on with my dinner mystery evenings and for this I am grateful.

I shall always remember one of his quotes after we had secured a victory against the Canadian Government in our charter challenge.  Richard tweeted: "A landmark victory for all Canadians."

God bless you, Richard!  Thank you for having come into my life!  Rest in Peace now!

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 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.takeanother5.com

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

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

The kids get it

A few weeks ago, I was invited by a teacher of a group of grade one students to visit their class. She wanted me to visit them because of my ongoing court case against the Canadian Government where I am suing them over their inaccessible websites. The kids have been following my case in the newspapers and were eager to ask me questions and to tell me about the letter that they had written to our Prime Minister.

Without any hesitation I agreed and on a cool, early November morning I stood beside their teacher in their Welcome Circle and listened with great admiration as they sang “O Canada.”

Their tiny voices were strong and true and their attention to detail extremely fervent.
Shannon Green, their teacher, introduced me and told them that I had come for a visit. We then trooped upstairs to their classroom and for the next half hour I sat among them and fielded their questions, shared a snack with them and felt their artwork.

What a most moving and humbling experience for me! The kids absolutely got it! Their questions were right on and I was amazed at their grasp of the subject matter. They were most concerned that Blind Canadians were not able to access governmental websites and they even asked me about the access technology software that I used. They were concerned about social justice and their little minds understood it all!

Out of the mouths of babes! These kids are our future! Our messengers! Our promises of hope! Our future legislators and politicians and as I continue to say, “We need to protect the future of our kids”!

I will never forget this experience and I thank Shannon and Velvet for having afforded me this experience. I thank the grade one kids of Grove Community School for having stepped up to the plate.

I’m Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day. To learn more about my court case against the Canadian Government, please visit www.bakerlaw.ca.