Caroline Casey (born 20 October 1971) is an Republic of Ireland, Irish activist and management consultant. She is visual impairment, legally blind due to ocular albinism. In 2000, aged 28, she left her job in Accenture to launch the Aisling Foundation, with an aim to improve how disability is treated. In 2001, she trekked across India, solo, on captive elephants, elephant back for c.1,000 km, raising €250k for The National Council for the Blind of Ireland and Sightsavers. Casey became the first female mahout from Western world, the west. The journey was the subject of a National Geographic Society, National Geographic documentary film, documentary ''Elephant Vision'' and a TED Talk.

Background

Casey was diagnosed with ocular albinism as a child but was not personally informed until her 17th birthday. She graduated from University College Dublin with Bachelor of Arts, BA, Doctor of Biblical Studies, DBS and Master of Business Studies, MBS degrees. She worked at a couple of jobs including as a management consultant for Accenture.

Aisling Foundation/Kanchi

The Ability Awards, styled as the ''O2 Ireland, O2 Ability Awards'' for sponsorship reasons, were set up by the foundation in 2005 to recognise organisations that promote disability inclusion. In 2011, the ''Telefónica#Spain, Telefónica Ability Awards'' were launched in Spain, with further versions planned for other countries in Europe. In 2008 the foundation was renamed in honour of the elephant "Kanchi" used on the Indian expedition.

The Valuable 500

Casey founded The Valuable 500, an organisation that aims to get disability on the leadership agenda.

Recognition

* Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards 2020 * The Rehab Group, Rehab People of the Year Awards, Young Person of the Year (joint), 2002 (joint) * Junior Chamber International, JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World, 2002 * Ashoka (non-profit organization), Ashoka Fellow, 2006 * World Economic Forum, WEF Young Global Leaders, 2006 * Honorary degree, Honorary Doctor of Laws, University College Dublin, 2006 * Eisenhower Institute, Eisenhower Scholarship, 2007 * Speaker at: ** Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority#The Global Competitiveness Forum, Global Competitiveness Forum, Riyadh ** Clinton Global Initiative, New York City ** TEDWomen

Affiliations

* Board member of Dublin's 98FM, 98FM * Board member of Sightsavers International, 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

References

External links

*
Kanchi Foundation official website
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Casey, Caroline 1971 births Blind activists Irish blind people Irish activists with disabilities 21st-century Irish women Living people People with albinism Place of birth missing (living people) Alumni of University College Dublin 21st-century Irish businesspeople Social entrepreneurs