The Ladder: Eva Wong/ Web-accessibility specialist

Aug. 27, 2018 The Ladder: Eva Wong: Today I found this article by Shelley White in the Globe and Mail: 

Eva Wong, 41, is co-founder and chief operating officer at Borrowell, a Toronto-based fintech company that specializes in low-cost personal loans and free credit scores.

I grew up in Whitby, Ont., a small-town, suburban kid. Middle-class, children of immigrants [from Hong Kong]. I taught piano all throughout high school, and I made pretty good money for a 14-year-old.

My first job [after a bachelor of commerce degree] was as an analyst at Oliver Wyman, and there are a lot of things I learned from that first job that I still take with me today. 

One is managing expectations. If you’re tasked with something and you’re having trouble completing it, just say it. The other thing is, under-promise and over-deliver. It’s not just about saying you’ll do something, it’s about executing.

I’ve often been interested in positions that allowed me to bring in business skills where they weren’t before. I spent a year in Malawi working with an international relief and development organization. 

I researched different business ideas that this not-for-profit could run and generate income to fund their activities. I went from village to village, talking to potential customers about what their needs were.

 It was a chance to apply some of my management consulting experience in a completely different context, in a way that was very hands-on and grassroots.

I joined the international division of Maple Leaf Foods out of grad school, in a business development role. I investigated new opportunities in Mexico, Southeast Asia and spent quite a bit of time in China. Then I moved to Trinidad to work on a project with the OTF Group, and also worked in Jamaica, Guyana and Haiti.

One of the things I loved about living and working in a new country was the challenge. With so much to learn and absorb, my brain would go into overdrive, and it was really exhilarating. 

There's learning a new industry, but also learning the geography, traffic rules, local expressions, best grocery stores and local markets – and most importantly, the challenge of building relationships with people.

 I think I developed a pretty high capacity for learning that is definitely helpful today in building a disruptive company, where so much is new and changing all the time.

When I came back to Canada after being overseas, an opportunity came up to work for The Meeting House, a church I’d been attending for a number of years. I was also involved in a volunteer capacity building a social venture called Toronto Homecoming with Andrew Graham [now chief executive of Borrowell]. 

It was a side business, not-for-profit and very successful, so I think that probably planted the seeds of entrepreneurship for me.

When Andrew quit his job and came up with the idea for Borrowell, I volunteered to work for a couple of weeks for free. Then I never left. I didn’t necessarily know it was going to go [well], but I knew I wanted to be part of it and I thought to myself, I’m going to have total fear-of-missing-out if I don’t do this.

I’m very thankful for all the experiences that I had throughout my career that were scary. If you’re not doing anything that scares you, or anything you’re worried that you’re going to fail at, it’s going to be really hard for you to learn.

Humility is a value that isn't talked about a lot, but it’s pretty key to our success as a company. Humility means we recognize that individually, we may not have all the answers, even though we're smart and we work really hard. Humility encourages us to work together and to listen to others.

I had no background in technology, startups or financial services before co-founding a fintech company. I was not your stereotypical computer science or engineering grad who’s 24 and a dude wearing a hoodie. I was in my late 30s and I had two kids when I founded Borrowell with Andrew.

You don’t have to have the perfect background or look a certain way in order to pursue a career in technology or even found a startup. I definitely think it’s easier when you see other people who’ve been successful who look like you. 

I want to show people who may not see themselves represented that it is possible. Whether it’s women, or people [from] diverse groups that aren’t represented in the majority, I want to encourage people to go for it.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/careers/management/article-borrowell-coo-eva-wong-on-why-shes-thankful-for-all-of-her-scary/

Aug. 29, 2018 Web-accessibility specialist: Today I found this article by Jared Lindzon in the Globe and Mail:

Job: Web-accessibility specialist

The role: As more tools and services move online, accessibility issues are no longer confined to the physical world. Those who live with auditory, visual, mobility, cognitive or other disabilities are often able to participate in digital activities with a few additional pieces of hardware or software. 

The role of a web-accessibility specialist is to ensure that websites, applications and other digital tools are compatible with these technologies.

“What web-accessibility specialists like myself do are both audits and remediation of existing websites and software to make sure they are accessible for people with disabilities,” said Janos Sitar, a web-accessibility specialist for Vancouver-based Central 1 Credit Union. “And when new systems are developed, we also work to make sure that the designs are amenable to everyone.”

Mr. Sitar explains that most web accessibility specialists will spend a majority of their time testing the accessibility of websites, and about a quarter of their time researching and designing solutions, often alongside a web-development team. They also spend a portion of their time staying on top of trends and advancements in the industry.

Mr. Sitar adds that within Canada, the role is heavily concentrated in Ontario thanks to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The act stipulates that all newly created websites must meet provincial guidelines for accessibility, and all websites regardless of when they were created must meet those same standards by January of 2021. 

The role is also common among larger organizations that service markets where similar standards are enforced, such as the United States and Britain.

Salary: According to the online career resource Neuvoo, the average salary of a web-accessibility specialist in Canada is $72,919 a year. Furthermore, an international study by Web Accessibility in Mind, or WebAIM, found that 67.6 per cent of practitioners expect to earn more than US$60,000 in 2018, or about $78,000.

“For entry level, it’s usually somewhere in the $40,000 to $60,000 [per year] range, and mid-career would be $60,000 to $100,000 [annually] or higher, and then management is usually $100,000 [a year] and higher,” Mr. Sitar said.

Education: While an educational background in computer science or software engineering is of benefit, it is often not a requirement for entry-level employment, as web accessibility specialists typically prescribe solutions that are implemented by dedicated developer teams.

“If you can do the work, nobody really cares what your educational background is,” Mr. Sitar explained. “It can vary depending on the workplace; there are people with backgrounds in computer sciences, but I had a degree in Greek and Roman studies and a degree in English and a Masters in film studies.”

The International Association of Accessibility Professionals also offers a Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA) designation to those that successfully complete an online training program and pass an exam, but Mr. Sitar says the certification is not necessarily a requirement for employment.

“You could get higher compensation for it, and at the same time it also enables you to enter more of a leadership role,” he said. “It's not absolutely required, but at a certain point if you've been in the field for four or five years you should probably get it.”

Job prospects: While job prospects have been largely concentrated in the province of Ontario, the recently introduced Bill C-18, known as the Accessible Canada Act, could soon mandate the same requirements countrywide.

“There’s definitely a shortage of qualified people, and a federal law is coming,” Mr. Sitar said. “If Ontario doesn’t have enough people who can do this now, then when this goes federal there will definitely not be enough people across the country.”

Why they do it: Web-accessibility specialists are motivated by the ability to make technology accessible to all.

“One of the things I love about my job is the fact that my entire role is dedicated to making things better for people,” Mr. Sitar said. “So a person who is blind could actually be working as a professional lawyer or an accountant.”

Misconceptions: Mr. Sitar says many mistakenly believe that those with disabilities are unable to utilize modern technology.

“I still run into people who think that a person who is visually impaired can’t use a computer,” he said. “The technology is so powerful now that there are people who are legally blind and are also photographers with their own Instagram accounts.”

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/careers/career-advice/article-i-want-to-be-a-web-accessibility-specialist-what-will-my-salary-be/

"Clutter or collection?"/ The Gold Leaf/ "Tidiness guru targets new audience"

Jan. 6, 2017 "Clutter or collection?": Today I found this article by Joanne Richard in the Edmonton Journal:

It’s OK to embrace our treasures, expert says

The good:

Don’t kill the clutter. Love the stuff you’re with!

Well, you don’t hear that very often. While decluttering messages bombard us, making us feel guilty and like failures, Dr. Christina Waters, PhD, is espousing a different message:

Don’t be guilt-tripped into trashing beloved, if non-utilitarian, items.

“Embrace the fact that by living, working, making choices, you will create a body of objects, mementoes, and other byproducts of being alive and active. Let these accumulated accessories linger and work for you as much as they can,” says Waters, author of Inside the Flame: The Joy of Treasuring What You Already Have. 

“Keeping a wealth of items in your life — objects, treasures, old souvenirs, beautiful nothings, memorabilia, tiny love notes, childhood toys, seashells, polished rocks — is proof of your unique identity,” says Waters. “Cherishing important clutter is a way of nurturing your own story.” 

Clutter, or more accurately, accumulation, can be crucial in terms of sparking creativity, she says. 

Those little notes around the computer, or the stack of magazines on the end table can provide visual prompts for our next project. 

She’s not talking about stuff that is mindlessly accumulated, but rather mindfully collected and loved. Waters says that keeping a collection of treasured objects, such as family heirlooms, or handmade tchotchkes, is a way of honouring our own taste, our own history.

Ditch the mindset which seems to be all about searching for a socially accepted, one-size-fits-all living space, rather than choosing to cherish the workplace and living areas you’ve created, she says.

Living in a stripped down, zero clutter living space can equal emotional emptiness.

Sure it helps us start anew and clean our living space, she says, but “at worst, it creates a generic nowhere. Zero clutter means zero creativity. The space that is sterile is no longer an individual, unique space. It could be anywhere. It could belong to anyone.”

Zero clutter equals zero inspiration.

You might be fine staying overnight in a chain motel room, she says, but you wouldn’t want to live for very long in a room that is cookie-cutter bland. The eyes and mind need inspiration.

“The treasured collections we may have built up over the years, those notes and books clustered around our work space, these are healthy clutter, in the sense of being able to stimulate new ideas and inspire creativity.”

The bad:

Clutter is killing you!

So says Dr. Clifford Lazarus, adding that it actually keeps you in a state of chronic stress. 

All the visual chaos — boxes, bags and plastic containers of junk — may seem harmless, but the disarray, disorganization and mess takes its toll, including on everyone around you, says Lazarus, a blogger with psychologytoday.com. 

“I have seen basically good marriages implode under the emotionally crushing weight of unmanageable amounts of unnecessary stuff,” he says.

Lazarus, of thelazarusinstitute.com, adds that when people are in aesthetically pleasing, organized and uncluttered surroundings, they feel more relaxed, at peace and calmer.

According to neuroscientists at Princeton University, physical clutter vies for your attention, resulting in poor performance and increased stress. 

But giving up stuff is hard to do. Researchers at Yale recently discovered that the two areas in your brain associated with pain actually light up in response to getting rid of possessions you value. 

Also, the more you touch an object, the greater the value you assign to it. 

In another study, by Brother International, desk clutter has workers spending 76 hours a year — that’s almost two weeks — hunting for misplaced files, staples or documents.

The tips:

Your stuff is yours; it’s unique. Keep the clutter healthy, with these tips from Dr. Christina Waters:

Gathering items you love and giving them their own place — a shelf, a corner, or tiny windowsill — allows them to be part of your everyday activities. They can be seen and are available for you to touch, to pick up and hold, to trigger memories and special moments that define our identities.

Curate your collections. Group them playfully — by colour, by shape, by nothing in particular.

Rotate these collections. In the summer, bring out some of the items from a beach vacation. In winter, something from a ski trip, family gathering, etc.

Touch these items. Connect with them physically.

Name your plants, reorganize your memorabilia. This will keep you in touch with them.


http://www.torontosun.com/2017/01/03/clutter-cliffhanger-its-okay-to-embrace-what-we-accumulate

They have minimal clutter

The piles of mail! The tower of books in the corner! The tchotchkes crowding every surface! If this sounds like your home, you're not alone. (These are signs your house is stressing you out.) The first step to being truly happy in your space is to figure out what to keep—and what to let go.

'A cluttered room is much more likely to produce, and contribute to, a cluttered mind,' says professional organizer Marie Kondo, creator of the KonMari method and author of the bestseller The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.

'I believe that only in an uncluttered room, which enables an uncluttered mind, can you truly focus your attention and your energy on the matters in your life which are preventing you from reaching your truest happiness.' According to design psychologist Sally Augustin, PhD, the powerful mental effects of clutter have roots in our evolution.

'In our early days as a species, our lives depended on continually surveying the environment and seeing if anything was coming that was going to eat us,' she says. 'Today we continue to survey our environment, and too many things makes this subconscious reviewing more difficult, which is why the visual complexity of clutter is so stressful.' A study from Princeton University shows that too much disorganized stimuli simply overwhelms the brain.

http://www.msn.com/en-ca/lifestyle/home-and-garden/the-homes-of-happy-people-have-these-13-things-in-common/ss-AAmYv9k?ocid=spartandhp


Jun. 3, 2017 Children's books: Today I found this article by Anna Fitzpatrick in the Globe and Mail:

The Gold Leaf

By Kirsten Hall and Matthew Forsythe

Enchanted Lion Books, 48 pages, $25.95

Spring arrives in the forest and the trees bloom in lush shades of green. The attentions of the animals become focused on one particular leaf that glistens in gold quite literally on the page. Shimmery foil is an effective gimmick that made a generation of kids fall in love with Marcus Pfister’s The Rainbow Fish, despite the overwhelming schmaltz of that book.

Here, the effect is used much more sparingly, with elegant results. As explained in the author’s note, gold leafing is “an art form invented by the Egyptians three millennia ago,” in which gold is pounded into sheets “as thin as butterfly wings.”

The creatures of the forest fight over the mysterious gold leaf and, again as in Rainbow Fish, there is a lesson to be had about the dangers of greed. But whereas that book ended with the other fish forcing Rainbow Fish to mutilate himself so that everyone could have one of his glittery scales (seriously, go back and reread it, it’s a messed up book), in The Gold Leaf the animals learn that they don’t need to possess the leaf in order to enjoy it. Nature, after all, is not about consumption, but appreciation.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/review-the-gold-leaf-the-fog-and-daddy-long-legs/article35186206/

My opinion: I'm going to put that line into my inspirational quotes: The Gold Leaf the animals learn that they don’t need to possess the leaf in order to enjoy it.

Sept. 28, 2017 "Tidiness guru targets new audience":

Today I found this article by Katherine Roth in the Edmonton Journal:

Just when it seemed Marie Kondo had spread her gospel on the “lifechanging magic” of decluttering as far is it could go, the author — whose two previous books remain international bestsellers — is back with a different audience in mind.

Kondo’s message that you should keep only things that “spark joy” is now in manga form, with a love story as a backdrop. Her new book, The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up (Ten Speed Press), features the work of artist Yuko Uramoto and seems designed to attract a younger set — including teenage boys — many of whom probably missed out on her earlier volumes. 

And she may be on target. While my two sons, ages 12 and 14, had zero interest in her earlier books, they battled over who could rip through Kondo’s manga as soon as they spotted it on the dining room table. And while they rolled their eyes when I asked if it had made a difference in their lives, my younger son was soon putting his desk in order and going through his drawers, and my older son packed for a family trip by carefully rolling his clothes into neat little packets in his suitcase. He also commented on a recently acquired cabinet in our living room, noting Kondo’s advice that additional storage furniture should be unnecessary in a properly decluttered home.

Then my boys passed the book on to a friend, who also rolled his eyes and shrugged when asked if he’d learned anything from it. But within days, he’d packed up no less than seven bags of unwanted toys and clothes from his room. A coincidence? Perhaps. Manga is a form of graphic novel in Kondo’s native Japan. “In Japan, manga is a form of artistic expression and entertainment that connects people across generations,” Kondo wrote in an email when asked about the book.

“Creating the manga has been such a fun and gratifying experience for me, and I hope that it sparks joy for new readers and fans alike!”

The fictional story tells of Chiaki Suzuki, 29, single, and living in a tiny hoarders’ den of a Tokyo apartment. She develops a crush on the handsome — and minimalist — young man next door, a professional cook whom she can’t bring herself to invite over because of her messy apartment.

The two meet when he complains about the mountains of trash on her balcony.

Chiaki is a workaholic and never has time to cook, but she dreams of preparing delicious meals at home. Will she ever be able to tidy up enough to invite her Prince Charming to dinner?

Thanks to Kondo, who appears as a character in the book — a sort of magical decluttering fairy — the answer is yes.

Kondo, teaching her method of sifting through belongings one category at a time, helps Chiaki transform her apartment and, in the process, her life. 

Chiaki learns to appreciate the things around her, recognize her forgotten dreams and value herself.

In short, she discovers the lifechanging magic of tidying up.

And yes, she does end up with the cute guy next door, a role model for any reader, of any age, who ever doubted that cooking and tidying up was a certain way to a girl’s heart.

https://www.pressreader.com/canada/regina-leader-post/20170923/282471414045537

Jul. 28, 2019: I forwarded the above to my Edmonton Declutter and Organize Meetup.  I have attended 2 of those meetings. 

Paper management: When I watch a TV show pilot or movie, I write on scrap paper.  I noticed that I write on a lot of paper so I'm typing it up on my blog.  Then I can recycle it and that's decluttering.

Instead of watching a new movie, let's write about an old movie that I already saw.

My week:

Sat. Jul. 27, 2019 Man invents a new surgery and cures himself: Doug Lindsay had this disease where he was bedridden and could hardly walk.  He did his own research and thought he was pumping too much adrenaline.  Then they created a surgery to fix his adrenaline.

Lindsay soon decided he needed a partner -- not just a physician but a scientist curious enough to take on a rare case and spend long hours with him parsing it out.

The best place to find that person, he reasoned, was at the American Autonomic Society's annual conference, attended by scientists from around the world who focused on nervous system disorders.

In 2002, he give a presentation about his disease at the group's meeting in Hilton Head, South Carolina. To get there, Lindsay bought a row of airline tickets so that, with the help of friends, he could lay across several seats during the flight.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/27/health/doug-lindsay-invented-surgery-trnd/index.html

The Amazing Spiderman: I finally saw this 2012 movie.  I saw the 3 movies with Tobey Maguire and I liked it.  I saw the first one the theatres in 2002 with my friend Leslie.  That movie was so good, it was still playing in the theatres (and not $1 theatres) because a lot of people liked it. 

The other 2 movies I borrowed from the library.  I saw this on my DVR.  I usually watch movies on TV.  It was a good and solid movie.  I do like Andrew Garfield as Spiderman.

Sun. Jul. 28, 2019: This weekend I have off, so I'm writing a lot of TV show and movie reviews so it feels like I'm re-watching it.  This week I will be busy. 

Finance: Last week, my parents and I went to the bank and was there for 1hr and 15 min talking and buying investments.

If you have money in a savings account, it gets 15 cents interest a yr.  You need to invest to grow your money.  Banking and finances was kind of boring, but you have to do it.  If not now, when?

The Simpsons: As usual, I have to quote from this show.  There was an episode where Homer and Bart were selling grease to make money.

Homer: I'm trying to achieve financial independence.
Marge: Though cans of grease?
Homer: No, through savings and wise investments.  Of course, through grease!

Centre of Spiritual Living events:

Fri. Aug. 9, 2019: Potluck and Family Game night.

Fri. Aug. 16 and Sat. Aug. 17: Getting to Know You and Community Garage sale.  If you want to sell or buy anything, you can go there.

www.centreforspirit.com/events  

My opinion: As a kid and teen, I like going to garage sales.  I like to look at people's stuff and shopping.  Now I'm mildly interested.

Superhero TV shows and movies: I was talking to Ni who works at my 2nd restaurant job.  She's in her 20s.  She has watched all those Marvel movies.  I'm writing about those movie reviews right now.  They're good and all, but I only watch 1 or 2 of them a year on TV.

Writer's block: I wrote 7 TV show and movie reviews, and I'm still not making any creative writing.  My intention was to have fun by writing these reviews.  I did have fun.

Friends: I called my friend Colette and we talked about movies.  It was about 10 min because she was driving.  (Hands- free phone).  She watched Mary Poppins Returns and liked it.  I never seen that or the original.

My birthday Aug. 11: I forgot what I did on my last birthday.  Then I checked my blog.  I worked at my 2nd restaurant job and I sat outside and read the newspaper.

http://badcb.blogspot.com/2018/08/job-interviews-kevin-hart-awards.html

Mon. Jul. 29, 2019 Actor Gabe Khouth passed away: 

Vancouver actor Gabe Khouth, best known for his role as Sneezy in the TV show Once Upon a Time, has died after a motorcycle crash in British Columbia.

Natasha Trisko, Mr. Khouth’s talent agent, says Mr. Khouth died on Tuesday afternoon in Port Moody, about 40 kilometres east of Vancouver.

She says he may have gone into cardiac arrest while riding his motorcycle.

He was 46.

Many actors are paying tribute to Mr. Khouth on Twitter, describing him as someone who always put a smile on people’s faces.

The actor’s brother, Sam Vincent, also confirmed the death on social media, saying Mr. Khouth went out doing what he loved.

Adam Horowitz, co-creator of Once Upon a Time, says Mr. Khouth was a lovely man, a great talent and an indelible part of the show.

“But more importantly, he was our friend,” Mr. Horowitz tweeted. “He will be missed.”

 https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-canadian-once-upon-a-time-actor-gabe-khouth-dies-after-motorcycle/

Friends: I went to work in the morning at my 2nd restaurant job.  I told Ni.

Tracy: I was on your Facebook page, and you know J.  I met him last month when I was working at the bar.

Ni: Yeah, we worked at a this bar together.

We then talked about Marvel movies, because I wrote a lot of reviews.

I then went to work in the evening at my 1st restaurant job.  I talked to that new cook K about Marvel movies too.

Wed. Jul. 31, 2019 "American Idol Antonella Barba pleads guilty, faces 10 years to life": Here is some crazy news:

Antonella Barba, formerly of "American Idol" and "Fear Factor" fame, likely will spend at least a decade behind bars after pleading guilty to possession of at least 400 grams of fentanyl with intent to distribute in federal court in Virginia on Tuesday.

The guilty plea carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, according to a plea agreement filed in federal court. She could face a possible life sentence and up to $10 million in fines, as well as asset forfeiture, according to the agreement.

The 32-year-old singer, who grew up on the Jersey Shore, was first arrested on Duke Street in Norfolk in October 2018. She originally was charged with selling or intending to sell 100 grams or more of heroin, according to Virginia court records. She denied the initial charges.

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/entertainment/celebrity/american-idol-antonella-barba-pleads-guilty-faces-10-years-to-life/ar-AAF8orW?ocid=spartanntp

Aug. 1, 2019 Boyle Street winter warming bus:

On Wednesday morning, Edmonton physician Bob Turner, also a former NDP MLA for Edmonton-Whitemud, announced his $150,000 donation to Boyle Street Community Services’ winter warming bus over the next three years.

November through April, the 18-seat vehicle wraps around the city seven days a week to deliver aid and offer a point of contact for housing and social services to residents in need — those who live outside the core, where most agencies are concentrated.

An oncologist with the Cross Cancer Institute and University of Alberta Hospital, Turner said his encounters with patients who rely on the inner-city agency drove home the importance of services like the warming bus.

https://www.thestar.com/edmonton/2019/07/31/major-donation-will-help-fuel-boyle-streets-winter-warming-bus-for-the-next-three-years.html

Aug. 2, 2019 Timmy and Sean O' Neill: I was watching the Katie Couric show in Aug. 2014.  It originally aired May 2014.

Sean was paralyzed from his legs, and climbed mountains.  He was unsure about climbing Devil's Tower in 1996.  Sean was pulling himself up with ropes.  They were daredevils.  They climbed Mount Washington and it was 3000 feet high.

Aug. 3, 2019: My birthday is coming up, and the only thing I want is the Globe and Mail newspaper.  The Sat. section is like $4.50 and I will be reading it for hours.  Then I will give it to my brother and dad to read.