Category Archives: Blindness

Labrador or Writer: Who’s the Smart One?

Working with guide dogs is, among other wonders, a frequently humbling experience. Even after 45 years and four canine helpers, I occasionally realize that I haven’t learned all that much. All of my dogs regularly must endure my obstinate nature, … Continue reading

Posted in authors, Blindness, Dogs, Guide dogs, nature, Pennsylvania, Rural Life, Uncategorized, Visually Impaired, Wrighting | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Web Accessibility for Blind Americans: Obama’s Broken Promise

Most Americans take the internet for granted. Banking, accessing medical records, making reservations, shopping and school/work-related research are routinely done online. Blind Americans, however, who rely on text-to-speech software (aka screen readers) are being left behind. And, why? The technology … Continue reading

Posted in Accessibility, ADA, Blindness, Disability, Print Disabilities, Uncategorized, Visually Impaired | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

An Author’s Life Without Accessible Websites and an Easy Fix: Sign This Petition to Wake Up Obama

I just spent two-plus hours composing the following tech-support email to LinkedIn Customer Experience Advocate, Carina. It demonstrates, if you can stand to read it, why blind people need President Obama to release regulations for web accessibility. These regulations are … Continue reading

Posted in Accessibility, ADA, Blindness, Uncategorized, Wrighting | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Featured Book: The Heart of Applebutter Hill by Donna W. Hill

Originally posted on Jamaica Pen Publishers:
The Heart of Applebutter Hill The Heart of Applebutter Hill book 14-year-old Adiaphoran refugees Baggy and Abigail are a bit cynical, as they are alone in a new country. Rounded up with other refugee kids,…

Posted in adventure-mystery, authors, Blindness, Disability, Dogs, Education, fantasy, Guide dogs, novel, Print Disabilities, Uncategorized, Visually Impaired, young adult | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Writer’s Rant: Unchain Me from This PC!

Hope springs eternal … at least until it is dashed on the rocks of reality. Whether it’s a month, a year or a decade, perceptions of that perfect house, job, community or relationship can switch from a beautiful thing to … Continue reading

Posted in Accessibility, ADA, authors, Blindness, Uncategorized, Visually Impaired, Wrighting | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

National Poetry Month: a Tribute from a Fictional Creative Writing Class

“No, you go first.” Here’s a chapter from my novel The Heart of Applebutter Hill. It’s the first day of the summer term at the Plumkettle Learning Center. Our heroine, 14-year-old Abigail, her guide dog Curly Connor and best friend … Continue reading

Posted in authors, Blindness, Braille, novel, poetry, Uncategorized, Visually Impaired, Wrighting, young adult | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Equal Rights for Blind Americans? Author Says We’re not There Yet

As a member of various blindness, advocacy and guide dog organizations, it’s not uncommon to come across a request from a college student to take a survey on blindness, and I’m always happy to participate. Rarely, however, (in fact, never) … Continue reading

Posted in Accessibility, authors, Blindness, Disability, Guide dogs, novel, Service Dogs, Smashwords, Uncategorized, Visually Impaired, young adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The Changing Behavior Network: Teaching Diversity Through Fiction, Freebies & More 

Win an autographed copy of The Heart of Applebutter Hill; download a free MP3 of “The Rules of the Game;” take a quiz and listen to the best interview I’ve ever done. I never thought I’d say that about just … Continue reading

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Authors, Advocates & the Press: Humiliation, Angst & Recovery

Hurray! I can finally scratch “getting humiliated by a national law journal” off of my bucket list. Oh, wait, it wasn’t on there to begin with. Nonetheless, it happened. I hope sharing the experience will enlighten my fellow authors and … Continue reading

Posted in Accessibility, ADA, authors, Blindness, marketing, PR, Print Disabilities, Self-Publishing, Smashwords, Uncategorized, Visually Impaired, Wrighting, young adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Quiz & Fact Sheet on Blindness

After inviting me to be on his radio show on the Changing Behavior Network, psychologist Dr. James Sutton asked me if I had a quiz or fact sheet about blindness that he could make available through: http://www.thechangingbehaviornetwork.com/ I didn’t, so … Continue reading

Posted in Accessibility, ADA, authors, Blindness, Braille, diabetes, Disability, Education, Guide dogs, Literacy, Print Disabilities, Service Dogs, Uncategorized, Visually Impaired, young adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment