Caroline Casey (born 20 October 1971)[1] is an Irish activist and management consultant. She is legally blind due to ocular albinism.[2][3] In 2000, aged 28, she left her job in Accenture to launch the Aisling Foundation, with an aim to improve how disability is treated.[1][4][3] In 2001, she trekked across India, solo, on elephant back for c.1,000 km, raising €250k for The National Council for the Blind of Ireland and Sightsavers.[5][4] Casey became the first female mahout from the west.[6] The journey was the subject of a National Geographic documentary Elephant Vision[3] and a TED Talk.[4]
Caroline Casey | |
|---|---|
_at_World_Economic_Forum_Davos_2021.png) Speaking at the 2021 World Economic Forum | |
| Born | 20 October 1971 |
| Education | University College Dublin |
| Occupation(s) | Activist, management consultant |
Background edit
Casey was diagnosed with ocular albinism as a child but was not personally informed until her 17th birthday.[2] She graduated from University College Dublin with BA, DBS and MBS degrees.[7] She worked at a couple of jobs including as a management consultant for Accenture.[4]
Aisling Foundation/Kanchi edit
The Ability Awards, styled as the O2 Ability Awards for sponsorship reasons, were set up by the foundation in 2005 to recognise organisations that promote disability inclusion.[8][9][3][6] In 2011, the Telefónica Ability Awards were launched in Spain, with further versions planned for other countries in Europe.[6][10] In 2008 the foundation was renamed in honour of the elephant "Kanchi" used on the Indian expedition.[3][11]
The Valuable 500 edit
Casey founded The Valuable 500, an organisation that aims to get disability on the leadership agenda.[12][13]
Recognition edit
- Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards 2020[14]
- Rehab Young Person of the Year (joint), 2002 (joint)[15]
- JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World, 2002[16]
- Ashoka Fellow, 2006[6][17]
- WEF Young Global Leaders, 2006[6][10]
- Honorary Doctor of Laws, University College Dublin, 2006[15][10]
- Eisenhower Scholarship, 2007[6]
- Speaker at:
Affiliations edit
- Board member of 98FM
- Board member of Sightsavers
- Former board member of Comhairle/Citizens Information Board (2002-?)
- Former board member of Jack and Jill Children's Foundation
- Former board member of FÁS (2001-?)
- Former board member of Irish Charity Tax Reform Group/Charities Institute Ireland[15]
References edit
- ^ a b "International Women's Day 2016". HSE. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- ^ a b Casey, Caroline (21 October 2014). "Would being legally blind change the way that you see yourself?". Irish Independent. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- ^ a b c d e Reddan, Fiona (27 June 2008). "Aisling Foundation is going global". Irish Times. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Inspiring Irish legally blind adventurer's TED Talk". IrishCentral. 11 May 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- ^ Ni Cheallaigh, Gillian (10 January 2001). "Element of blind date in 1,000 km elephant ride". The Irish Times.
- ^ a b c d e f Barrio, Esther (14 April 2011). "Para integrar la discapacidad en la sociedad hay que cambiar la mentalidad, no las leyes" [To integrate disability in society a change in mentality, not laws, is needed]. HazRevista.org (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- ^ "Caroline Casey – UCD Entrepreneurial Graduates". NovaUCD. Archived from the original on 5 August 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- ^ "O2 Ability Awards - 2005 Overall Winners". 2006. Archived from the original on 19 November 2006. Retrieved 17 May 2017 – via archive.org.
- ^ "O2 Ability Awards 2007". RTÉ.ie. 2007. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- ^ a b c "Caroline Casey wows the audience as BPW marks quarter century". Galway Advertiser. 26 May 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- ^ Burke, Sinead (9 October 2014). "Inspiring businesswoman Caroline Casey on how she's managed the tough times". Irish Independent. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- ^ Joyce, Annie (31 August 2021). "Sky News Daily Podcast: Meet the women shattering the glass ceiling - but is it job done?". Sky News. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
- ^ Partington, Richard (18 May 2021). "500 global firms put disability inclusion on boardroom agendas". TheGuardian.com.
- ^ "HVAA Past Recipients".
- ^ a b c Conway, Pádraic (7 April 2016). "Caroline Casey – Doctor of Laws" (PDF). National University of Ireland. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- ^ "Nominations sought for Dublin's outstanding young people awards". IrishLegal.com. 16 February 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- ^ "Caroline Casey | Ashoka | Everyone a Changemaker". www.ashoka.org.
- ^ a b "The Power of Believing in the Right Thing and Your Extraordinary Potential". AspireWomen.co.uk. Archived from the original on 15 March 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
