Carrie’s Story

Carrie’s mission with Carrie on Accessibility (CoA) is to promote accessibility and to empower those, like herself, who are blind and visually impaired. Through her YouTube channel and other social media platforms, she shares videos exploring accessibility and assistive technology, along with other resources and encouragement that can benefit the community.

CoA emphasizes accessibility, which is the path forward to equal access for those with disabilities. Designing with accessibility in mind is incredibly important. WCAG compliance is necessary and right, but compliance does not always equal accessibility. End user testing is the ultimate test. Through CoA’s Accessibility Review, businesses can evaluate the real world usability and functionality of their products and services.

Growing up Legally Blind

Carrie was born in the Philippines with Aniridia Syndrome which, in her case, is a hereditary condition where the iris is underdeveloped. This also caused other problems within her eyes such as glaucoma and severe nystagmus.

Her father, along with 3 out of 4 of his siblings, was also born with Aniridia. For each pregnancy with one parent with Aniridia, there is a 50% chance of passing on this genetic condition. Carrie’s sister and many cousins have Aniridia, and so does Carrie’s son. Also, Carrie’s brother was born deaf.

Growing up with a family made up of so many members with disabilities was very powerful. There really wasn’t room for using, “I can’t see it” as an excuse! Everyone was encouraged to find accommodations that worked best for them.

Family Background

In a way, Carrie on Accessibility (CoA) is the next generation’s extension of what Carrie’s family began in the Philippines.

Two of the most influential members in her family are Carrie’s father and aunt Tina. They are Carrie’s inspiration and role models, each in their special individual way.

Her father was the youngest and struggled with decreased resources because so much of his parents’ time and effort were focused on the older siblings. Still, he persevered and learned skills seemly impossible for the blind, particularly in the Philippines. He became knowledgeable in electricity, plumbing, woodworking, and computer programming. To this day, he is the “fixer” of all things and everyone in the family, blind or sighted, calls him when a problem arises.

But one of the most important lessons Carrie learned from her father (aside from a love of technology) is his love for God and family, as well as persistence and endurance through any and every challenge.

Tina, Carrie’s aunt, worked in education and had a background in psychology. She thrived as a public advocate, speaker, writer, and a TV personality. She is incredibly eloquent and has the innate ability to connect with anyone.

Carrie’s father and aunt worked together to start and maintain a preschool for those with dyabilities- a very marginalized part of society in Philippines. They also founded ATRIEV, an assistive technology program that helped the blind and visually impaired use the power of technology to enhance their lives and opportunities.

And that’s Carrie’s goal as well: To help those who are blind and visually impaired enhance their lives and opportunities through accessible technology.

Accepting Blindness

Even though so many in Carrie’s family are blind and visually impaired, it took much for Carrie to truly accept her blindness. It’s a journey that everyone with a disability must trek.

Carrie was the only blind student in her class. Naturally introverted like her father, Carrie didn’t make friends easily. it didn’t help that she was ostracized because of her blindness. She was labeled as “weird” and was picked on particularly because of her nystagmus (uncontrollable eye movements).

There may have been acceptance at home, but as a teenager, that wasn’t enough. This led Carrie down the path of trying to fit in and attempting to change who she was to try to fit in. As expected, this failed quite miserably and left her feeling defeated and alone.

Her TVI (teacher for the visually impaired) recommended camps and programs for the blind and visually impaired which Carrie attended. While it proved that there were others like her, it was temporary and Carrie had to go back home eventually.

It wasn’t until Carrie started working at IFB Solutions (previously known as Winston Salem Industries for the Blind) that her perspective truly began to change.