As my internship at Envision, an international tech company developing assistive technologies for individuals with blindness or low vision, just has come to an end, I’m excited to share the highlights and takeaways from my internship experience. Based in the Hague, Envision transformed from a startup to a hub for AI-powered glasses and apps designed to help and empower people with blindness or low vision. These technologies can help with reading, scene description, finding objects, and much more.
I have had a fascination with new innovations and technology, especially in this ‘AI era’. This brought me to find an internship that could make a meaningful impact. Envision, which is committed to crafting solutions for people who are blind or have low vision, was the match.
As a dual-role intern, I was both in the marketing and design departments. At the internship I had a main goal which was to help improve the awareness and engagement in the Netherlands. Despite international success, the company sought to improve its presence in its origin country. All my tasks were aligned with this objective.
The Envision team is relatively small but because of that is very tight. The atmosphere was very chill as the office is at the Hague Tech and shares space with many other tech companies and start-ups. While the atmosphere was laid back, my colleagues were very passionate for their work, which gave me a lot of motivation and inspiration.
The highlight of my internship journey was helping organize ‘Inclusive Innovations’ a big event all around the topic of accessible technology and innovation. Here I supported the team with project management and was the main contact person between the event venue and Envision. The event was inspiring and impactful, as it gave a whole view of how people with blindness or low vision work on a daily, with the keynote speaker underlining the power of perseverance. During the panel session, panelists talked about the importance of accessibility in both the workspace and product design. The key takeaways of this event would be the power of support, freedom of choice and independence provided by smart and simple tools and tech, and the importance of continued learning and empathy in fostering inclusive innovation.
To conclude, my internship at Envision has been a journey of learning a lot, working together, and meaningful contributions. From marketing tasks to participating in impactful events, these experiences have given me an understanding of the crucial role technology has in creating a more inclusive world. As I close this chapter, I have a deeper appreciation for the connection between technology and social impact.