The world of shopping: Shopping for various things

 

I will tell you that my preference would definitely be to do my shopping in person, but there are definite advantages for both.

Shopping online is quick and easy if a website is accessible and usable for me as a vision-impaired person.  However, if it is not then here is where I need to find sighted assistance to help me out and I need to ensure that my sighted assistant has enough time to be available.

In the case of in-person shopping, it all comes down to finding someone I trust to go shopping with me.  Mom is my number 1 go-to person and after that it is Stephie and then we go down the line from there.

So, there you have it.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly award-winning sight-loss coach and accessibility advisor, wishing you a terrific day.
 
If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight-loss coach and 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 at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Important notice from Donna J. Jodhan
If you're looking for a quick and easy way to share news and or info about yourself or about others, then please read on!
Donna J. Jodhan can help you reach a rapidly growing list of over 12,000 readers and listeners and counting!
All you need to do is to give a listen to her monthly shows and if you like what you hear then here's how it works!
For the very affordable price of $25, Donna will feature your info and news on 2 of her monthly shows.
Once on the Ask Donna show and once on the Dining with Donna show.
Both of these monthly shows run weekly.
This means that your info will be featured twice for the month.
No more having to worry about posting to Facebook!  
You'll be able to engage with ready made readers and listeners!
Your payment of $25 will be prorated as a monthly payment.
So you can either pay monthly, or you can pay as you go.
Just send your info or news to Donna at askdonnaonblindlife@gmail.com
No more than 150 words.
Donna will then post your info or news as soon as you remit payment to her at paypal@donnajodhan.com
To give a listen visit https://www.donnajodhan.com/askdonna and https://www.donnajodhan.com/dwd
Take advantage of this very quick and easy way to reach a ready made audience!

An interesting experience: Finding new products in the supermarket

This is probably one of the more pleasant things to do on a shopping trip to the supermarket but I can only do this if I have a sighted person with me.  For me, Stephie goes with me and she is always so very happy to tell me if she sees anything new that she feels I have not heard of before.  

I really believe that it is important for me to know when there is something new to know about because, as a blind/vision-impaired shopper, it would be practically impossible for me to discover new things if I do not have sighted help.

This is the only way for me to keep up with what is on the shelves of a supermarket and for me to replenish my awareness of products around me. More often than not, knowing about a new product leads to me either substitute a present purchase for a new one or just add the new product to my list.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly award-winning sight-loss coach and accessibility advisor, wishing you a terrific day.
 
If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight-loss coach and 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 at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Important notice from Donna J. Jodhan
If you're looking for a quick and easy way to share news and or info about yourself or about others, then please read on!
Donna J. Jodhan can help you reach a rapidly growing list of over 12,000 readers and listeners and counting!
All you need to do is to give a listen to her monthly shows and if you like what you hear then here's how it works!
For the very affordable price of $25, Donna will feature your info and news on 2 of her monthly shows.
Once on the Ask Donna show and once on the Dining with Donna show.
Both of these monthly shows run weekly
This means that your info will be featured twice for the month.
No more having to worry about posting to Facebook!  
You'll be able to engage with ready made readers and listeners!
Your payment of $25 will be prorated as a monthly payment.
So you can either pay monthly, or you can pay as you go.
Just send your info or news to Donna at askdonnaonblindlife@gmail.com
No more than 150 words.
Donna will then post your info or news as soon as you remit payment to her at paypal@donnajodhan.com
To give a listen visit https://www.donnajodhan.com/askdonna and https://www.donnajodhan.com/dwd
Take advantage of this very quick and easy way to reach a ready made audience!
 

The new reality: Challenges of pandemic shopping

It's all about ensuring that I social distance correctly, wear a mask, and make sure that I do not touch public surfaces as best as I can.

This is where my friend Stephanie comes in. She is careful and so very helpful. She is alert and makes sure that I am always protected. She is constantly watchful and making sure that my social distancing is just right.

She does not allow me to touch surfaces if I don't have to and she even helps me to tap my credit card at the cash register. Stephanie also helps me to use cash for my purchases and I could go on and on but I think that you have the picture now.

The trick for me is to ensure that at all times during this difficult time, I have sighted assistance to keep me safe.

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

Some words of wisdom: Make sure that you take what you plan to

This is my drum beat and it is my strategy. This applies to my shopping trips and to my meals at restaurants.

I plan, make sure that it is what I seek, and do my best to get or take what

I plan to.

For if I were to settle for substitutes then it would be me who would be the

unhappy one and I would have no one else to blame but myself. So this is how I start all of my shopping trips: with list in hand and I make sure to

describe exactly what I seek.

I always show my list to the person accompanying me so that they know exactly what I am looking for. There is the odd occasion when I would need to expand because what I seek is not available. I believe that having a list in hand is not just helpful to me but also to the one with me.

In the case of restaurants, it is entirely up to me to ensure that I explain

and describe to the waiter exactly what I desire. In short, to speak up on my own behalf!

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

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.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

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

Happy times: Downtown with Brian and Debra

Ah, yes!  The things we do when we are kids and I have no regrets.

It was a great day in December and we were on Christmas vacation and my friend, Debra, and my cousin, Brian, decided all by themselves that they would take me on my very first trip downtown.  They were bound and determined to let me experience what it was like to go downtown to the crowded stores at Christmas time.

So off we went; we were dropped off at a store called Excellent Trading and Debra's mom was standing outside waiting for us.  Debra arrived and then she and Brian walked with me along the busy sidewalks.

These two daring kids took their time with me, making sure that no one bumped into me while at the same time describing everything to me as we walked.  We went into some of the stores and they showed me different things.

I will admit that at no time was I afraid because I knew that both Brian and Debra would take good care of me and this they did.  We spent about three wonderful hours in town and returned home with all kinds of Christmas goodies and some toys.

A blessed day to remember forever.

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 at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

My perspective: More access technology vendors needed

That's just my wish for today.  For a visually impaired person, the choices are extremely limited when it comes to being able to buy from an access technology vendor.  There are simply too few of them in my neck of the words and this makes the choice completely out of my hands.

Then I have no other alternative than to purchase what they sell and if I want to go outside of my city then I am forced to pay more.

This is just another challenge for me.  I do not have the same number of choices as someone with sight.  I am forced to accept what is sold by these types of vendors.  I am forced to make choices based on what these vendors can and are willing to sell.  In short, I can only buy what they can offer to me.

The picture of this circumstance is that I do not have the luxury of choosing from a great number of vendors.  I am limited in my scope.

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

My trick when I go shopping

Actually, it is very simple and it works like a charm. Whenever I go shopping and I need assistance, I do my best to provide my helper with much detail about what I am looking for, and in this way it cuts down on time spent looking for things as well as the frustration levels. Here is what I do.

Whenever I go grocery shopping I take a shopping list with me so I do not have to spend time telling my helper what I need. They can read everything and then decide how to go about finding what I need. If I am not sure what I need then I take along an empty container, bottle, jar or package to supplement my shopping list. In this way I spend less time explaining and my helper has more information to help them find what I need.

When it comes to clothes shopping, it is a bit more difficult and in this case I have to depend on what I am told and the descriptions that I am given. I am practically in the hands of my helper and I have to trust that they are helping me to choose the right style and color to suit me.

In the case of shopping for equipment and appliances, I have more control over what I choose. I use my sense of touch to help me but it is still a bit of a challenge to ensure that they are describing the right colors to me. However, I am in charge of ensuring that the features and attractions are exactly to my liking.

I’m Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and inviting you to go out there and share my blogs with others. Visit www.acb.org to learn more.

Why I prefer shopping in person

To me, it is better for me to do my shopping in person rather than ask someone else to do it for me. The explanation is very simple for me. If I do it in person then I get the opportunity to choose exactly what I want and then if I am unable to find it, that is, if my assistant at the supermarket or store is unable to find it for me, then I can easily ask them to help me choose something else.

Some volunteers prefer to ask for my list and go off and do my shopping for me but almost all of the time I politely say no because what if they are unable to find what I need? Then what? Best for me to do it all in person.

I’m Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and inviting you to go out there and share my blogs with others.
Visit www.nfb.org to learn more.

Shopping by touch

A few weeks ago, as my mom and I wended our way through the busy supermarket, I realized that in order to help find items on the crowded shelves, I would need to deploy my touch technique to help mom locate what we were looking for. It was very difficult because of the crowded aisles, so many people seemingly looking for the same thing, and so many things to choose from. So, I decided to do things a bit differently. Besides, it was Christmas and we had to do our best to find what we were looking for.

Mom would tell me what she was seeking and because I knew the layout of the supermarket, I was able to tell her which aisle to look for. Then as we rolled our shopping basket down the aisle in question, I would run my fingers along the shelves searching for the item. If it was a box, then I would hunt for boxes and the specific size before calling to her so that she could check the label to see if I had located the right item. The same went for jars, bottles, and packages.

Believe it or not, it worked really well and both mom and I were quite surprised. I did my part and felt really good that I could help her. The strategy also worked in the produce and meat sections.

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 my touch technique for shopping.

Downtown shopping

For me, downtown shopping can be a bit of everything.  Exciting, interesting, frustrating, nerve racking, plus more.  If I go on my own into a crowded downtown mall, it is like trying to find a needle in a haystack but if I go with someone that I trust, then it's that much more enjoyable.

 

With so many persons pushing and shoving in busy downtown malls to get where they are going, I can sometimes use my cane to let them know that I am blind but it does not always work.  Because people are often so focused on their own affairs, they often fail to see my cane and as a result they come crashing into me but it is probably not too much different for the sighted shopper. 

 

Negotiating downtown shopping is almost always a challenge for anyone let alone a blind person.  I do my best to stay away from downtown shopping.  I prefer to stay in my own neck of the woods; out in the suburbs where the malls and stores are much quieter and sales persons have a bit more time to assist me.  However, I do know of many blind persons who absolutely love to go downtown shopping. 

 

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and encouraging you to go out there and share my blogs with others.  If you would like to know more about how blind persons go downtown shopping, then visit www.nfb.org.