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The disability-friendly website
I recently saw a client who is legally blind, a very naughty sweetheart with a wicked sense of humor.
I enjoy working with disabled clients -- some of the most rewarding and fun experiences I've had as an escort have been working with those who are "differently abled."
Some time back I read an article about how to make websites more "disabled friendly." It had never occurred to me how someone who is blind might "see" my website, whether they're using a screen reader, a text-to-speech program, or simply enlarging the text on the page.
It was good to ask my friend the other day about how my website worked for him, based on what I'd learned. I was happy to hear that, at least for him, the site was easy to navigate, and it was easy for him to find the information he was looking for.
I thought other ladies might be interested in the idea of optimizing their sites for disabled clients, so I went in search of that original article -- and found another one (link below) that is not only better, but gave me even more to think about, suggested some other changes I could make.
I had optimized my site to allow for increased text size, and (this was important) I made sure that every image had an alternate text tag. That includes fancy graphics such as page titles -- so when you mouse over those graphics, you see a little box with text describing the image.
Just doing that alone also helps improve your Search Engine Optimization, an added bonus. :)
But now I'm wondering about people with Parkinson's or who have had a stroke, who might have trouble using a mouse. When it comes to those who can't use a mouse, or who have trouble using it very precisely, I don't think my site is very friendly.
Anyhow, now I've got more to think about, ideas to try.
Because the goal of any website -- *especially* a provider's site! -- is to reach as many people as possible. :)
xxxxooo
Beverly ;-*
Website: http://www.wpdfd.com/issues/87/designing-acce
 
My home "office"
I've been seriously considering working from home lately. I know a lot of providers do -- and many more, like me, work from hotels.
I used to work from home, and really liked it. I loved having freedom to create a really romantic, fun space, to have all my supplies and anything I needed right on hand.
But I stopped in late 2006, due to a psycho.
But now, more than two years later, I'm considering it again.
But I'm having issues.
One, I'm nervous. I've learned the hard way that working from home can leave you vulnerable -- though I'll concede my vulnerability now is less than it was then.
Two, my house isn't as nice as a hotel room, in some ways -- my couch is looking a little shabby (what with two dogs, two cats, an artist, and a teenager). The whole house is less than the perfection you see in perfectly maintained hotel rooms.
But on the other hand, hotel rooms don't have magnificent antique bedroom sets, tempurpedic mattresses, and all the comforts I can provide here.
But will clients look down on me, or give me a poor review, due the shabbiness of my carpet or the imperfections in the finish on the hardwood in the hall?
Or will they see a lovely old house (built in the late 20s), filled with antiques and books, with a happy woman bouncing around on a pretty faded quilt?
How do we define "upscale"?
I can arrange for the dogs to be elsewhere. I can lock up the kitties. But I can't duplicate the perfection of hotel furnishings and window treatments.
What will my clients think? Will they appreciate "shabby chic"?
What do other ladies who work from home think? How do you address these issues?
Thanks for your thoughts...
(the pic below was taken years ago, in my bedroom at my house)
xxxooo
Beverly ;-*
Website: http://www.beverlyfisher.com
I don't want to be intimidating.
So I recently started a thread on a local board about what might prevent clients from seeing providers they like, among other things. It was supposed to be a general discussion, but a few responded to me personally.
I was really bummed that a couple gents said that I was intimidating. Not so much in a bad way, one person said that I was a legend in the region and possibly nationally (which is really nice, but freaky and not necessarily true but whatever). He said that doing it with a "legend" was intimidating, and then a couple others said that my brain (smarts, whatever) were intimidating. Mind you they were all being nice, complimenting my intelligence, but saying at the same time that it was intimidating.
Alright. So to be clear. Yes, I am really smart. I'm not bragging, it's a statement of fact, and I guess it ought to be a good thing, but I'm embarrassed to say it notheless. Besides, I've spent my entire life failing to "live up to my potential," which means I'm smart but a loser, and isn't it sad, she could have done so much more with her life.
Also, admitting that one is brilliant is usually seen in a negative way. Like you're being a snob. Or trying to look down on people. Neither of which is true for me and it's hurtful to have people think of me that way. I don't look down on anyone -- I've *been* homeless, I've been rich. And everything in between. I've been dumped like everyone else. I've experienced joy like everyone else. I've laughed at the wrong time like everyone else. I have no right to look down on anyone.
Agh... so part of the problem with being brilliant is that you get bored. Smart people make great executives. Brilliant people don't... we're not good at behaving ourselves and following rules designed for people who need them. I think it was Heinlein who said geniuses make their own rules about sex and relationships. Truly...
But it's also true that we get frustrated. I read alot. I have a rather excessive vocabulary. I'm a writer. I like words. Anyhow, I had a friend once who was insulted when I used words she didn't understand, because she felt like I was trying to make her feel stupid. I was flabbergasted. I don't even *think* like that. Trying to make anyone feel stupid is icky enough, but a friend? Jayzus.
I love people. I love what I do, not because that's an advertising pitch, but because it's the truth. Since I began studying Tantra I've come to understand that I can literally love everyone I meet, and share that feeling (without actually saying it and freaking someone out who wouldn't understand). It's a perception I have, a way of seeing things. Like putting on love-colored glasses. :)
But esoterics aside, I'm good at what I do because I can talk to almost anyone, about almost anything. I can understand other people, no matter how they were raised, in what culture, in what walk of life. I strive to find commonality with everyone I meet.
So I have a client who barely graduated high school and is only semi-literate. He didn't learn to read until he was in the 8th grade, and his writing skills are poor. But who he was as a person shined through the bad spelling. I could tell he was a good guy -- and I admired the fact that he wanted to use email.
A lot of people who can't read or write well tend to reject anything calling for those skills. They're angry, and ashamed -- because the world told them to be ashamed. So here's this guy who refuses to feel bad, and emails me anyhow. He's turned out to be one of my favorite clients. He has a job with the state, doing heavy manual labor. He's about as blue-collar as you can get. No, he's not the smartest guy on earth, but he's sweet and kind and loving and funny and down-to-earth and honest. We always have a great time. :)
And then I had another client who was a physicist. I had no clue about his work, other than reading science fiction. Turned out that my love of graphic design (and the way images degenerate into pixels) allowed me understand enough of what he was saying to get a dim picture and to be able to ask intelligent questions (which I could tell quite surprised and delighted him).
I guess I'm saying this because I'm a little sad and frustrated because it seems like a lot of wonderful people are nervous about seeing me. I wish people weren't intimidated of me. It makes me feel awful.
My whole reason for existing is connecting. I've always thought Peter Gabriel's "I Have the Touch" rather summed up my feelings. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPTyNDqOzpM
Yeah, I'm screwed up and have issues. Who doesn't. And maybe my need to connect with others stems from my childhood. Okay, probably. But so what? This is who I am, and reaching out to others is a good thing.
And I can and do... all the time. Some days when I've been feeling down, I go out and try to compliment three strangers. Just look around and pay attention to what's around me and then appreciate it. :)
I can talk to anyone -- and usually do. Waitresses, the trash man (Bob), lawyers, people at bus stops, the guy at the convenience store (his wife's pregnant again), doctors, homeless people -- that's always cool. Amazing stories.
So if people are intimidated by me, the people who are most intimidated are probably the ones I really want to see. :(
Agh... I think I'm going to write a new ad trying to explain why I'm not intimidating. Or at least try to. I see myself as totally down-to-earth, not just because I love talking to anyone, but because I'm informal and relaxed, I'll talk truly about myself, enjoy finding things in common. I'm a freakin' hippie chick, fer chrissakes.
I know I'm sitting here babbling. I'm a little down lately and this brought up all this feeling and I guess I'm writing it out.
Anyhow, thanks for reading this far.
xxxooo
Beverly ;-*
Website: http://www.beverlyfisher.com
Remember Boone's Farm wine?
A recent post on a local board reminded me about Boone's Farm wine.
We used to get that cheap wine in high school (get an older kid to buy it for us), best way to get drunk for the lowest dollar.
Frequently, drinking Boone's Farm was also associated with sexual activity, and often our first sexual experiences.
Me and my girlfriend Chris liked the Boone's Farm Tickle Pink the best, followed by Strawberry Hill.
They have a Boone's Farm Fan Club!!!
The latest testimonial reads:
"It's strawberry flavored booze water! What's not to love?"
Click on the link below for the fan club... got any Boone's Farm stories? :)
xxxooo
Beverly ;-*
Website: http://www.boonesfarm.net/index.html
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