I Opener
Background
I decided to
start my own company after I left my job as an information specialist and spokesperson
for the National Association of the Visually Impaired (SRF) in the spring of
2020. I enjoyed the role as an information specialist, to educate others in how
it is to live with a visual impairment and meet all these people who wanted to
increase their awareness of accessibility and inclusion. Since a non-profit
organization has its limitations on how many different tasks they can take on, and
I saw that there is a great need on the market, I decided to start up my own
business focusing on education.
Business idea
I Opener offer solutions to companies, organizations
and authorities that wish to get help to improve the treatment and the inclusion in their work
environment. Today, high demands are placed on employers for accessibility in both
physical and digital environments.
Vision
My vision is to contribute with my expertise, experience and knowledge in the subject of disability and accessibility, to create inclusive and accessible environments, platforms and increase co-workers awareness and skills.
To make life a little
easier for more people and be able to support myself by providing services in
my own business.
Previous experience
As a child I didn't have any visual impairment but lost my sight gradually in adulthood. During my professional life I have worked with providing services, together with and for others with a disability.
I started as a personal assistant. When my vision deteriorated, I applied for a job as a chancellor at a non-profit association that organized activities for young people with visual impairment.
I have worked as a guide in interactive exhibitions in total darkness where I met everything from curiosity to ignorance.
As an information specialist and spokesperson for the National Association of the Visually Impaired (SRF), I gained knowledge in educating others what it is like to live with a disability. As an informant, I collaborated with other associations, such as DHR and Funktionsrätt, tailoring insight training programs. At the Stockholm Transport Administration (SL), we organized insight training for, among others, SL's employees and subcontractors. SL is today one of the world's leader in the work of social sustainability and accessibility.
I recently started a training becoming an CBT therapist and currently I am attending an education program to become a Vision and Hearing Instructor. I have also taken courses at the ADHD center as I have children with cognitive impairment.
My personal journey
When I, at the age of 14, played with a frisbee with friends the frisbee suddenly disappeared and then I got it in my head. I was diagnosed by an ophthalmologist to have an eye disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). My world turned upside down. Before that moment I was like anyone else but all of a sudden I was different and stood out from the crowd. The ophthalmologist said that my eye disease was unique but the last thing you want as a teenager is to be different, you want to be like everyone else.
Today there is not much sight left and I use my guide dog Emma and a white cane to orientate myself and to avoid obstacles in my way.
It has been a long personal journey. Today I feel unique and proud of who I have become as a human being. I am not my disability, I am a wife, mother and an ambitious entrepreneur! My task is to spread knowledge about how to make it easier for people with disabilities and create better conditions for inclusion in the society.