Ms Jheri Worldwide
Staff Writer
Meeting Kamille Richardson at a Raleigh Chamber Event was an absolute delight. The event was inside a beautiful and rentable space in Moore Square in downtown Raleigh. I’m not sure what I loved more the short ribs or the exposed brick and soft lighting but the ambiance was amazing and our table quickly filled with interesting people. We all chatted for a while and as the event ended we all walked out together exchanging information and I connected with Kamille, I was thrilled that she immediately instructed me on how to help her walk since she is blind. Her openness to answer all of my random questions about blindness has opened a new world for me and I am proud to share this citizen spotlight interview so you can be more educated about blindness as well.
Our conversation began with Kamille sharing insight about her journey in founding iSee Technologies, Inc. “I found it iSee Technologies based on my lived experience as a blind woman navigating my early career search. Unfortunately, my early career search was filled with rejection. I would apply for a position, get invited to the interview, and when I showed up and they saw me, they saw that white cane in my hand, the temperature would drop about 20°. The warm greetings that I received earlier would turn into cold conversations that would end with a, ‘don’t call us, will call you’ line. After a while, I grew tired of this constant rejection and I decided I’ve had enough! Instead of sitting around complaining about the problem, I decided that I would be a part of the solution. iSee Technologies provides workshop facilitation and consulting to corporate entities and government agencies on topics that help to address these biases, both conscious and unconscious, in order to create a more inclusive, and equitable work environment. This in turn creates motivation and collaboration among team members which also creates more profit for the company. In my Keynote, The Magic of Being Differently Disabled, I share my story and discuss the blind spots that keep businesses from being as inclusive as they should be. I also give the audience action steps that they can take to become inclusion warriors in the workplace and the community beyond.”
Next we discussed some of the most significant challenges she’d overcome in her career as someone born blind. “One of the biggest challenges I have faced in my career, and throughout my life, is people‘s perception of me and others who are blind. They look at us through a lens of charity, pity, or incapability. I challenge these perceptions by using my voice. When I’m on stage giving my keynote, I allow my words and my voice to be mindset shifters. I share my story in order to change the hearts, minds, and future attitudes of my audience. I show up every day as a representation of leadership both in business, and my community.”
We both acknowledge the importance of thinking into the future. My next question was, how do you envision the future of assistive technology evolving for the blind community? “I see assistive technology for the blind becoming much smarter and more personalized in the near future. AI-driven tools, like wearable devices that can describe surroundings in real-time, will help people navigate the world more independently. And as these technologies improve, hopefully, they’ll become more affordable and accessible to everyone which will really level the playing field.”
Our conversation was timely being that October is World Blindness Awareness Month. I inquired how can individuals and businesses become better allies for the blind and visually impaired community? “One way you can be an ally is to be a learner. Learn all you can about the different disabilities and ways you can get involved. Learn about how you can hire and also support someone with a disability and provide them opportunities for advancement equitable to their able body counterparts. Another way businesses and individuals can be better allies is to be an advocate. Research organizations in your community that serve people with disabilities, or run by people with disabilities, and serve alongside them. If you know someone who has a disability, take the time to get to know them for real. Be genuinely curious about how you can offer them a hand up, and not just a handout. You also have to be bigger than your fears. Have the courage to bring up Disability inclusion hiring during a manager’s meeting. Have the courage to discuss with your team how to make your product or service more accessible to everyone.”
Finally, a word of advice. What message do you hope to share with people facing similar challenges personally and professionally? “The path ahead may seem a bit bumpy and unknown at times, but continue to move your feet and press forward! I literally cannot see the way ahead of me yet I add value to my client exactly because of my unique perspective. I encourage you to show up out loud and unapologetic and know that you add value to whatever room you enter!”
