At this week’s Community Breakfast, Republikken welcomed Jessica—software tech engineer, global speaker, gym enthusiast, Dungeons & Dragons fan, and a proud blind woman redefining how we experience accessibility.
She works at Be My Eyes, the Danish-founded app that connects blind and low-vision users with sighted volunteers around the globe. Think of it as borrowing someone’s eyes for a moment—through a quick video call. Today, the app spans 180 languages, 150+ countries, and has over 8.5 million volunteers.
And Jessica? She’s not just helping build it—she uses it herself.
An Engineer, Advocate, and Human Dynamo
Jessica doesn’t just build accessible tech—she lives it. Blind since birth, she codes at lightning speed using a screen reader that reads up to 700 words per minute. That alone impressed the entire room.
Beyond the keyboard, she’s a seasoned speaker who’s delivered talks to crowds of thousands. Her advice? If you’re giving a presentation, send your slides in advance and describe your visuals. Accessibility starts with awareness.
When AI Meets Empathy
Be My Eyes now uses AI to describe photos and screenshots—no calls needed. This makes it easier for blind users to work, navigate, and live independently. Their new desktop app is a game-changer for blind professionals. And yes—it’s completely free.
💬 Want to talk public speaking? Curious about accessibility in tech? Or just feel like chatting by the coffee machine?
Jessica’s your person. And if you meet her at Republikken, say hi! She’ll know you by your voice and she’d love a chat.