The new look for 2026
Welcome to our new look monthly tips where we are pleased to share a plethora of tricks and tips that are relevant to such things as technology, travel, managing your daily life, and much more.
So just come aboard, sit back, take a deep breath, and enjoy!
If you wish to contact us then please do not hesitate to write to us at info@sterlingcreations.ca and we promise to respond within 2 business days as long as technology allows us to do so.
Give us your feedback, comments, suggestions, and thoughts!
For it is only through you and with you that we are able to do this!
Table of contents –
1. From our 10 tips on technology series
2. From the pages of Donna’s travel diary
3. A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
4. From the scam watchers
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From our 10 tips on technology series
Hello everyone:
Welcome to my 10 tip series where each month I’ll be sharing 10 tips on various pieces of technology.
This would include tips on popular screen readers, office software, and browsers.
If you have any suggestions on what you would like me to share then by all means! Write to me at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca.
For this month:
10 tips on using the micro-speak recorder
Here are 10 practical tips that make a big difference when using a micro voice/speech recorder effectively:
1.
Keep the microphone unobstructed
Avoid covering the mic hole with your fingers, clothing, or a case. Even tiny obstructions can muffle recordings.
2.
Place it closer than you think
Small recorders work best within about 3–6 feet (1–2 meters) of the speaker. Closer placement usually matters more than expensive settings.
3.
Reduce background noise first
Turn off TVs, fans, music, or open windows when possible. Tiny microphones pick up ambient noise very easily.
4.
Test before important recordings
Record 10–15 seconds and play it back with headphones before meetings, interviews, or lectures. This saves a lot of frustration later.
5.
Use high-quality mode when clarity matters
Many recorders have LP/SP/HQ modes. HQ or PCM/WAV modes use more storage but sound much clearer for speech.
6.
Name or organize files immediately
Create folders by date, class, project, or topic. Otherwise recordings pile up fast and become impossible to find.
7.
Watch battery levels carefully
Voice recorders can stop unexpectedly when batteries get low. Carry spare batteries or recharge before long sessions.
8.
Use headphones for playback
Tiny built-in speakers often make recordings sound worse than they really are. Headphones give a much more accurate sense of audio quality.
9.
Hold it steady and avoid rubbing noises
Pocket movement, handling noise, zippers, and fabric rubbing can overpower voices. A stable surface works best.
10.
Back up important recordings regularly
Transfer files to a computer or cloud storage after important meetings or notes. Small recorders can be lost or accidentally erased.
Bonus tip:
If your recorder has voice activation (VOR/VOX), test it carefully first. Sometimes it cuts off the beginning of words if sensitivity is too low.
To contact me please send an email to donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca
I’m Donna J. Jodhan (sight loss coach and accessibility advisor)
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Important tips from the travel table
From the pages of Donna’s diary
An accessible Church
This may be one thing that you may have a challenge making accessible but let’s try to get it down here.
In my opinion, an accessible Church is one that I can get to easily and independently.
This means that it is easy to find and for me within walking distance.
There are not too many stairs to get into the Church.
That there is a ramp.
That benches and pews are easy to access.
There is enough spaces between benches and pews.
That it is to maneuver the kneeler.
That it easy to understand the layout of the Church.
This is my picture of an accessible Church.
I’m Donna J. Jodhan enjoying my travels
On your next trip you could enrich your down time with some of my audio mysteries. Take them with you wherever you go!
In the car, on the plane, on the bus or train, at the beach, anywhere!
And now you can listen to Donna’s weekly podcasts!
Ask donna – a plethora of tips from a sight loss coach along with book and product reviews!
Dining with donna – recipes and time saving tips for the kitchen!
Your mental stretch with Donna – how to recharge, renew, and get going! Save yourself from those dramas, traumas, and stress!
Visit http://www.donnajodhan.com/youtube
and subscribe for free
Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at http://www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
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A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
Award winning sight loss coach, author and advocate
You can contact me via email at donnajodhan@gmail.com
Practical and natural!
Welcome to my Donna’s did you know diary for this month and pleased to share the following with you.
Here’s what I learned for this month.
1) About trying on shoes:
When determining the correct size, here are 2 tips.
If when trying it on it fits too slack then you need to try on a size smaller.
If when trying on it fits too tightly then you need to try on a size larger.
2) An interesting fact about changes to your voice and looks.
Your voice never really changes over the years.
Your looks do.
3) About water?
The earth is made up of 70% water
And 97% of this is the ocean.
4) Some important info re the differences between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes occurs when one needs to take insulin because the body is no longer producing enough insulin.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when one has a poor life style that includes a poor diet.
It can also be caused by high blood pressure
5) Some tips on making your scrambled eggs more fluffy?
You can use any of these ingredients in your batter.
Sour cream, mayonnaise, milk, or even beer or baking soda.
6) A helpful indicator for testing a battery’s existence?
If the battery feels light when you hold it then the energy of the battery is gone.
But if it feels heavy when you hold it then it is good to go.
7) About the sky on a fall day?
It is normally very blue!
8) About orchids?
They are one of the favourite foods of those garden insect prowlers.
9) About migrating birds!
It is a bit too late now to look for them but birds usually start their Southern migration in mid to late September and it is all over by early October.
10) Something important to know when placing dishes in the microwave.
They must not contain any metal.
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From the scam watchers
Donna J. Jodhan is a world renowned advocate, author, blogger, sight loss coach, dinner mystery writer and producer, entrepreneur, law graduate, and podcast commentator.
Donna has been in the business since 2000 and her many roles have allowed her to recognize that there is a growing need for consumers and clients to be made aware of some of the most dangerous and popular scams.
Donna herself has been unwittingly scammed over the years a few times and now she is using her skills, experience, knowledge, and expertise to help others avoid pitfalls and heartache.
And as a vision impaired professional and person she is ready to help you stay ahead!
Donna knows only too well how much we all need to work overtime to protect the most vulnerable from those unscrupulous scammers!
Please read her latest suite of scams and she would love to hear from you with your own feedback.
October tends to bring a spike in scams tied to holidays, travel, shopping, and tax/benefit deadlines. Three especially common ones to watch for are:
1.
Fake package delivery & shopping scams
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You get a text or email saying a package couldn’t be delivered, especially around early holiday shopping.
•
It usually includes a link asking you to “confirm your address” or pay a tiny “redelivery fee.”
•
The real goal is stealing your credit card info or passwords.
•
Red flags:
•
Weird links or spelling mistakes
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Pressure to act fast
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Requests for payment via gift cards, crypto, or e-transfer
•
Safer move: go directly to the shipping company’s official site or app instead of tapping the message link.
2.
Halloween-related scams
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Fake costume shops, event tickets, haunted attraction pages, or “too good to be true” decorations pop up online in October.
•
Some scammers also target kids and teens through fake giveaway contests on social media.
•
Red flags:
•
Massive discounts on hard-to-find items
•
Brand-new websites with no reviews
•
Social media ads leading to sketchy checkout pages
•
Safer move: use well-known retailers and check reviews before buying.
3.
Charity and disaster relief scams
•
Fall storm season and year-end fundraising campaigns create opportunities for fake charities.
•
Scammers may call, text, or DM asking for urgent donations after hurricanes, floods, or international crises.
•
Red flags:
•
High-pressure emotional appeals
•
Requests for cash apps, gift cards, or wire transfers
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Names that sound almost like real charities
•
Safer move: donate directly through verified charity websites.
A few bonus October scams that also spike:
•
Fake CRA/IRS tax messages before filing/payment deadlines
•
“Seasonal job” scams for holiday hiring
•
Romance scams that increase around lonely-season marketing
•
Phishing emails pretending to be from schools or universities during the fall semester
A good rule: if a message creates urgency, secrecy, or panic, pause before clicking anything.
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Contact info:
Visit our websites at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca
http://www.donnajodhan.com
http://www.sterlingcreations.com
Email us at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca
Or call us at 416 491-7711
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Contact info:
Visit our websites at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca
http://www.donnajodhan.com
http://www.sterlingcreations.com
Email us at info@sterlingcreations.ca
Or call us at 416 491-7711