Cork teenager Joanne to address UN technology conference
A Cork teenager has been asked to address the United Nations on the issue of women, technology and disability next week.
Joanne O’Riordan, 15, from Millstreet, Co Cork, will deliver a keynote speech on April 26 to the UN’s International Telecommunication Union on how technology has helped to advance her life through education and social interaction with others.
Joanne, who was born without limbs due to a condition known as total Amelia syndrome, is the only person with a disability to be invited to Girls in Technology, a global conference featuring some of the worlds’ leading women in technology.
The student, who uses all kinds of technologies to make her life manageable, appeared on 'The Late Late Show' last year to talk about her condition.
Her appearance led organisers to invite her to the UN conference.
She first came to attention here when she challenged Taoiseach Enda Kenny about Budget plans to limit disability allowances for teenagers.
The Government backtracked after she wrote to Mr Kenny, reminding him he had personally guaranteed her on the general election campaign trail there would be no cuts to disability benefit.
"A man called Paul Connolly saw mw on the 'Late Late Show' and he asked my brother Stephen would I mind going over to New York to do a speech on girls and technology," she said.
"His exhibition is about (how) he wants to make girls as superior to men in technology".
"He believes all the CEOs of big companies are men, so he wants that to change and for it to be like half and half," she added.
