Eyra AbrahamVisionary Entrepreneur

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About Me


How I got to where I am today …

It all started from a single event that changed everything. One night, I slept through a fire drill. It happened because I’m hard of hearing and was not wearing my hearing aids.

I wanted to fix this problem.

I took the seed of an idea and made it a reality. I launched Lisnen to apply artificial intelligence (AI) and use smart devices with microphones to listen to nearby sounds. Our AI-led app can detect specific emergency sounds or noises that need our attention to send an alert.

I see the future.

I envision a connected world of data, AI, IoT, and smart devices to help people with hearing loss connect and build awareness in public spaces.

I’ve connected the dots and seen how countries like Canada can lead in innovation for disability inclusion.

Along the way, I learned much about accessibility, disability inclusion, partnerships, marketing, sales, and what it takes to launch an artificial intelligence product for social good.

I shared more of my story.

I’ve openly shared my experiences and learnings with others. I’ve been featured in OntarioTV, Huffington Post, Globe and Mail, Global TV, Toronto Star, and many more.

The learning never stopped.

As I got access to the behind-the-scenes of building an AI product, I became the first person with a disability to become a ForHumanity Certified Auditor in accessibility and disability inclusion.

I’ve landed a seat on committees and a board.

I’m a member of a few provincial and federal government-level committees and boards. I’m a technical member of Plain Language for Accessibility Standards Canada, the Accessibility Standards Advisory Council for the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility, a Steering Committee member on AI for the American Association for People with Disabilities, and a board member for Creative Users Projects, to name a few.

I’ve picked up a few awards along the way.

I won the 2023 Women in IT Canada Impactful Award and was named one of Canada’s 100 Black Women to Watch in 2019.

What’s next?

Aside from my work on Lisnen, my strength lies in my storytelling abilities that can get the crowd inspired and create value for other businesses by helping them grow or create change. 

Some things I do:

Consult: Marketing support for purpose-led hearing care companies (people, planet, profit). Plus: empowering entrepreneurs to launch transformative ideas.

Digital product: I build solutions to create an accessible world for people with hearing loss at Lisnen.

Write: I write articles on hearing care marketing and on Making Sense Sunday, a newsletter connecting the everyday experience to people with hearing loss.

Speak: I speak on a number of topics relating to disability inclusion.

If you’re feeling like you’d like to chat, email me at info [@] eyraabraham [.] com!


Speaker

Keynote and workshop training to drive organizational change.

Are you looking for an engaging speaker to bring to your next event?

Eyra Abraham speaking with microphone in hand at the Amsterdam Brewery in Toronto.
Photo courtesy of ScaleHR

Disability Inclusion Talks

Society can shape the stories that we tell ourselves. Sometimes, those stories create barriers when engaging people with disabilities. This training is to generate new stories that foster disability inclusion and for companies that aim to build allyship, create a high-performing team, and increase productivity in the workplace.

Participants at the end of the training should:
* Recognize stereotypical beliefs they hold about people with disabilities; * Learn new perspectives on accommodation to promote equity;
* Build new inclusion practices and collaboration skills with people with disabilities and
* Develop empathy for the lived experience and the physical and digital barriers people often experience.
Something magically happens when you bring people with disabilities to the table. People with disabilities play a large part in innovation that many are unaware of. This training will help attendees gain an appreciation for disability inclusion and the role it plays in modernization.

At the end of the training, participants should:
* Gain an appreciation of past innovations that we use today;
* Learn when innovation goes wrong and why,
* Market signals and where opportunities lie and
* Develop an awareness of tech, AI, and the impact on people with disabilities.
This presentation aims to educate attendees on how AI works, the roadblocks to using some AI technologies, from hiring to productivity tools, and what can be done to continue to accommodate people with disabilities in the workplace.

Attendees will be engaged on the following topics:
* Learn various examples of AI applications to support individuals with disabilities.
* Develop technical expertise to evaluate AI systems critically, identify potential biases, and take suitable measures to mitigate barriers.

Photo courtesy: McGill University (from Flickr) Eyra on the stage in front of a podium (Made by McGill), brick background will red holiday light and decor. A large screen with Eyra's profile picture to the left can be seen leaning on the brick wall.
Photo courtesy of McGill University Alumni

What Others Are Saying

#a11yTO

Eyra Abraham brings her whole self to every conversation. She is committed to her work and devoted to helping others understand how they can improve experiences for people with disabilities.
At #a11yTO, we encourage learning, sharing experiences and ideas, providing solutions, and collaboration towards building more inclusive digital products. Eyra’s attitude and presentation style match our values.

Oskar Westin

Co Organizer, #a11yTO

FWD50

Eyra is not only a fantastic communicator, but also a pleasure to work with. Her presentation on how technology can empower people of all abilities brought a much-needed discussion to FWD50, and gave thousands of public servants from around the world a unique insight into the importance of digital innovation.

Alistair Croll

Conference Chair, FWD50 and bestselling author

Toronto Womxn in Data Science

Toronto Womxn in Data Science was honoured to have Eyra as a speaker at our annual conference twice! Eyra is knowledgeable and engaging and a joy to work with. Her unique combination of AI and tech knowledge and being an accessibility advocate is priceless. Each time she’s presented, we’ve received positive feedback from attendees highlighting her teaching moments. We look forward to booking Eyra as she always brings fresh new perspectives and ideas to a field that overlooks the unique needs of those with disabilities.

Kishawna Peck

Founder, Toronto Women in Data Science

Hire Me to Speak

Previous Speaking Engagements

A detailed list of past speaking engagements and media coverage can be found on Informed Opinion.

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