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
+++++++++++++++
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 how to use the Hable device
Got you—Hable devices are super cool once you get the hang of them. If you mean something like the Hable One (the braille-style keyboard for phones), here are 10 solid tips to make it way easier and faster to use:
1. Start slow with the button layout
Don’t rush. Spend time learning where each button is and how combinations work. Muscle memory is everything with Hable.
2. Practice basic letters daily
Even 5–10 minutes a day typing simple words helps a ton. Repetition is what makes it click.
3. Use it with screen reader gestures
Pair it with VoiceOver (iPhone) or TalkBack (Android). The Hable becomes way more powerful when you combine typing + navigation.
4. Memorize common shortcuts
There are shortcuts for:
•
Enter
•
Delete
•
Space
•
Navigation
Learning these early saves you so much time later.
5. Keep your fingers relaxed
Don’t press too hard. Light, quick taps are more accurate and less tiring.
6. Use consistent hand positioning
Always hold it the same way. Switching grip slows down your learning.
7. Turn on audio feedback
Hearing what you type helps you catch mistakes instantly and learn faster.
8. Practice real-world tasks
Instead of random typing, try:
•
texting a friend
•
writing notes
•
searching something
It builds practical skill way quicker.
9. Learn navigation commands early
Typing is just half of it—being able to:
•
move between apps
•
scroll
•
select items
…is what makes the Hable truly powerful.
10. Be patient—it has a learning curve
At first it will feel awkward. Totally normal. Most people suddenly “click” after a few days to a week.
To contact me please send an email to donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca
I’m Donna J. Jodhan (sight loss coach and accessibility advisor)
_________________________
Important tips from the travel table
From the pages of Donna’s diary
An accessible work station
I am going to concentrate on how to make a work station accessible in the workplace.
Here goes.
*Roomy enough to accommodate a wheelchair, any other mobility aid, and anything else needed for a person with a disability
* The work station needs to be well lit.
* Desks have enough room to accommodate any additional scanners, printers, and any other piece of access technology equipment.
* Power bars are easily accessible and have enough outlets to accommodate the occupant.
* Filing cabinets are built with easy to open draws and shelves are easy to access.
* Flooring can accommodate the needs of mobility aids.
* No overhanging shelves.
* A phone should be part of the work station.
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
_________________________
A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
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) A house hold remedy for an upset stomach?
Squeeze some lemon juice into a glass of fizzy water.
2) To prolong the life of your washer?
Do not over load it.
3) What can you slide down a chimney but cannot push up a chimney?
Why! An umbrella.
4) The difference between bees and butterflies when it comes to flowers?
Bees go from flower to flower as they pollinate each.
Butterflies fly over flowers.
5) Some unpleasant facts about foxes!
They may look cute but they are destructive.
They love to dig holes in gardens while hunting for worms
And they love to bite off the ears and tails of sheep.
6) An interesting fact about dogs!
They usually urinate in places where other dogs have done the same.
7) A friendly tip on dish soap!
You should not be using dish soap in your dish washer.
You should also refrain from using dish sop as a substitute for shampoo.
You can mix dish soap with a wee bit of bleach for cleaning purposes in your kitchen.
8) A warning for when using What’s app when traveling abroad.
Before using What’s App, make sure that you are connected to a wi-fi
Or else your data roaming will kick in and you will be charged for roaming.
9) When you purchase new clothes!
You need to wash them before wearing them.
Wash them in cool water and on the gentle cycle
Make sure to wash the coloured clothes separately from the white clothes.
10)And how can you tell that a text is a potential scammer laying a trap for you?
Well! If the text begins with the numbers 7326 (scam) then just delete said text
While
_________________________
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.
Here are 3 very common scams that tend to spike in September, especially as seasons and routines change. Staying aware of these can save you a lot of stress 👇
🎒 Back-to-School Scams
Open image details for FoolProofMe – The ABCs of Back-to-School Scams
Open image details for How to recognize a fake Geek Squad renewal scam | Consumer Advice
Open image details for Free laptops for over 960,000 students in 2024? No, beware of scam Facebook posts and website – Africa Check
4
Why September?
Students and parents are shopping for supplies, laptops, and textbooks.
How the scam works:
•
Fake websites advertise huge discounts on school gear
•
Phishing emails/texts pretend to be from schools or retailers
•
Scammers sell nonexistent textbooks or electronics
Watch for:
•
Prices that seem too good to be true
•
Websites with weird URLs or no reviews
•
Requests for payment via gift cards or crypto
💼 Job & Student Loan Relief Scams
Open image details for The 10 Latest Work From Home Scams You Need To Know
Open image details for How to spot + avoid student loan forgiveness scams | LifeLock
Open image details for FTC warns about fake pre-approved loan calls: Don’t fall for the scam
4
Why September?
People look for jobs after summer—and students think about loans again.
How the scam works:
•
Fake “work-from-home” jobs that send you a check (then ask you to send money back)
•
Calls/texts claiming instant student loan forgiveness for a fee
•
Imposters pretending to be government agencies
Watch for:
•
Being asked to pay upfront fees
•
Pressure to act immediately
•
Requests for personal info like SIN (Social Insurance Number)
📦 Package Delivery Scams
Open image details for Support: Recognizing spam, fraudulent emails and text messages | Canada Post
Open image details for There’s an issue with your package | Information Technologies & Services
Open image details for USPS delivery scam (text messages) | OIT | Brown University
4
Why September?
Online shopping picks up again, so scam texts blend in easily.
How the scam works:
•
You get a text/email saying your package couldn’t be delivered
•
It asks you to click a link to “reschedule” or pay a small fee
•
The link steals your info or installs malware
Watch for:
•
Messages from unknown numbers or weird email addresses
•
Links that don’t match real companies (like Canada Post)
•
Urgent language like “final notice”
👍 Quick Safety Tips
•
Don’t click links in unexpected messages
•
Double-check websites before buying anything
•
Never send money or personal info to strangers
•
When in doubt, go directly to official websites/apps
_________________________
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
_________________________
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