The new look for 2025
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
5. Tips from Melanie Mama Peach
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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 for learning the talk back screen reader feature for Android
Here are 10 useful tips for learning the TalkBack screen reader feature on Android:
1. Understand Basic Gestures First
• Start by learning the essential gestures such as swiping left or right to move between items and double-tapping to select. Familiarize yourself with the two-finger gestures for scrolling up, down, left, or right. This helps you navigate your device more easily.
2. Explore the TalkBack Tutorial
• Android includes a built-in TalkBack tutorial. You can access this by going to Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack and selecting “Tutorial.” This interactive guide will walk you through various gestures and features.
3. Enable Verbose Mode for Extra Guidance
• TalkBack has a “verbose mode” that gives more detailed information about what’s on the screen. You can enable this in Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack. This is useful when you are learning as it gives you extra feedback on screen elements.
4. Use the Context Menu for Quick Actions
• Practice accessing the TalkBack global and local context menus by swiping up and right (global) or down and right (local). These menus offer shortcuts to features like reading from the top, accessing notifications, or adjusting TalkBack settings quickly.
5. Practice with the “Explore by Touch” Feature
• With “Explore by touch,” you can drag your finger around the screen, and TalkBack will announce what’s under your finger. This is a great way to get familiar with screen layouts and understand what content is where.
6. Turn on Sound and Vibration Feedback
• Enabling sound and vibration feedback can help you get a better sense of when TalkBack is reacting to your gestures. Go to TalkBack Settings and turn on “Sound feedback” and “Vibration feedback” to reinforce the gestures you’re making.
7. Adjust Speech Rate and Pitch
• Customizing the speech rate and pitch to a level that’s comfortable for you can improve your learning experience. You can adjust these in the TalkBack Settings > Text-to-speech output menu.
8. Learn TalkBack Keyboard Shortcuts (if using a physical keyboard)
• If you use a physical keyboard, learning keyboard shortcuts can make navigating faster. You can access a list of TalkBack shortcuts by pressing Alt + Ctrl + K on the keyboard when TalkBack is active.
9. Explore Different Reading Modes
• TalkBack allows you to switch reading modes for better control over navigation. For example, you can use text navigation, headings, or links depending on what you need. Try switching modes by swiping up or down with one finger while focused on text.
10. Be Patient and Practice Regularly
• Mastering TalkBack takes time and consistent practice. Start small by using TalkBack for basic tasks like messaging or browsing the web, and gradually increase the complexity of tasks as you gain confidence.
These tips should help you get more comfortable with TalkBack and improve your navigation experience on Android!
To contact me please send an email to info@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
What makes for an accessible river boat
Truth be told I have come to thoroughly enjoy a river boat and a river boat cruise.
Here are my reasons.
Number of passengers are limited to no more than 150
Decks are just 3.
You get to know your cleaning staff, your dining room staff, and your crew on a personal level.
Facilities are so very easy to navigate.
The atmosphere is so warm, welcoming and friendly.
Meals are simply delicious and yummy.
Everything is so organized.
The noise levels are much less than on an ocean bound ship.
I’m Donna J. Jodhan enjoying my travels.
To learn more about me as a sight loss coach and author visit
http://www.donnajodhan.com
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 www.donnajodhan.com/youtube
and subscribe for free
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
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A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
May 2025 monthly tips
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) The sap, vine, and branch process!
The sap nourishes the vine.
The branch comes out of the vine.
Fruit is produced from the branch.
2) Some vital tips on putting out fires in your kitchen:
If the fire is on your stove top, just place a lid on the pot in question and voila!
The fire will put itself out.
Similarly, if you have a fire in your oven or microwave,
Keep the doors shut and the fire will eventually out itself.
3) An important tip about the function of your kidneys!
Well! Your kidneys act as filters as they filter unwanted matter from your blood.
Then they transport the clean blood to your heart.
4) And a perfect tip for the Month of May!
“Walking for 30 to 60 minutes a day, five days a week, has many health benefits,
such as reducing the chances of cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, anxiety, and even depression.
It increases bone health, lowers the more harmful low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and raises the more useful good high-density
5) An important piece of info when thinking of booking a Cuban holiday.
Best time to book for is at the beginning of the month and why?
It is when the food is most plentiful at hotels and resorts.
This because Cuba has to import most of its food.
Shipments arrive at the beginning of the month
But by mid month the supplies begin to disappear most quickly.
6) What is one of the most transmissible diseases?
Why, it is measles
But you can be vaccinated against this.
7) Here’s a tip when taking melatonin:
Best to take your melatonin pill about 45 minutes to an hour before retiring for the night.
8) A useful tip on managing your finances:
It is call the 20 50 20 10 allocation.
20% of your annual income for you to put into your savings.
50% of your annual income to be used for essentials.
20% of your annual income to be used for paying off debts.
10% of your annual income to be used on fun things.
9) 2 very simple stain removers for if food falls on your clothes:
Gently rub some hand sanitizer on the offending stain
Or you can also use dish soap.
10) Here is a tip when cooking ribs
Place your ribs in your pan with the bone facing down.
This way, your meat will not dry out.
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From the scam watchers
In April, certain scams tend to be more common due to seasonal events and certain behaviors around this time. As we look toward April 2025, here are three typical scams to watch out for:
1. Tax Scams (U.S.)
April is tax season in the U.S., with the deadline to file tax returns typically falling on April 15. Scammers take advantage of this time by posing as the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) or tax preparers to steal personal information or demand fake tax payments.
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Scam signs:
• Receiving a phone call, email, or text claiming to be from the IRS, demanding immediate payment or threatening arrest.
• Phishing emails or websites that look like legitimate IRS platforms.
• Fake tax preparation services offering refunds that seem too good to be true.
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Protection: The IRS never initiates contact via phone, email, or text to demand payment. Always file taxes with trusted professionals or directly through verified IRS websites.
2. Spring Travel Scams
April often marks the start of spring break and early travel for summer vacations. Scammers exploit this by offering fake vacation deals, rental scams, and fraudulent travel packages.
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Scam signs:
• Vacation rentals offered at extremely low prices on third-party platforms or social media, asking for upfront payment via wire transfer or gift cards.
• Phishing emails from travel agencies or airlines offering deep discounts on flights or packages, directing users to malicious websites.
• Fake travel agencies or tour operators that disappear after receiving payment.
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Protection: Always verify travel deals through official airline or travel websites. Never wire money or use untraceable payment methods. Read reviews and verify accommodations through trusted platforms.
3. Charity Scams Post-Disaster
April often sees unpredictable weather events, including tornadoes, floods, or early hurricanes in various regions. Scammers use these events as an opportunity to create fake charity fundraisers, asking for donations to aid victims.
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Scam signs:
• Unsolicited emails, texts, or calls asking for donations to aid victims of recent disasters.
• Fake charity websites that look similar to legitimate ones, with slight differences in spelling or domain names.
• Pressure tactics urging immediate donations, often requesting payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
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Protection: Before donating, verify the legitimacy of a charity through platforms like Charity Navigator or the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. Avoid unsolicited donation requests, especially those asking for non-traditional payment methods.
Being cautious of these scams in April will help you avoid falling victim to fraud in 2025!
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Tips from Melanie Mama Peach
BUYING AND STORING FISH
Fillets are the meaty sides of the fish cut off either side of the backbone (and are more or less boneless) while steaks are slices cut across the bone. Larger fish such as salmon or halibut are available either way. If a steak is very large, it can be cut in half and the bone removed before cooking, but it may be simpler to cook the fish with the bone in and then insert a knife and ease the cooked fish away from the bone. The meat of tuna, swordfish and other very large fish is cut into boneless steaks.
Freshness makes all the difference in the way fish tastes. Look for firm-textured, moist, pearly flesh, with no sign of dryness. Odor, if any, should be mild and fresh, never strong and fishy. Pools of liquid in packaged fish generally indicate the fish has been around too long.
Refrigerate fish as soon as you get it home. Use it within 1 to 2 days, or freeze it. The colder the storage temperature, the less rapidly the fish will spoil. If you have a fisherman in the house, it’s good to know never to store ungutted fish, which spoils quite rapidly. Non-oily fish such as flounder, sole, red snapper, and tilapia freeze best. Wrap individual fillets in plastic wrap and freeze them spread out on a baking sheet. When fish is frozen hard, pack in a ziptop bag. This allows you to easily take out just one or two pieces at a time. Freeze fish for up to 6 months.
In most cases, fish should be thawed in the refrigerator, although thin fillets can be thawed at room temperature in half an hour. Try not to refreeze fish once it has thawed because each freezing and thawing leads to a mushy texture. If you do refreeze fish (and we all have times when plans change) cut it in small pieces and use it to make a chowder.
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Contact info:
Visit our websites at www.sterlingcreations.ca
www.donnajodhan.com
www.sterlingcreations.com
Email us at info@sterlingcreations.ca
Or call us at 416 491-7711