Santiago Velasquez is a bilingual Australian who immigrated from Colombia at the age of 12. He is recognised as the first blind electrical engineer in the Southern Hemisphere. Living with vision impairment, Santiago’s lived experience has driven him to create innovative solutions that help build a more inclusive world.
Santiago is the Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Hailo, where he leads the development of technology that transforms public transport accessibility. Motivated by being left behind by buses he could not see to hail, he set out to create a solution that makes public transport more accessible for everyone. As a 2022 Churchill Fellow, he travelled to 11 countries to research global best practices in accessible transport.
Santiago has delivered TED Talks and keynote addresses, and has shared his work and advocacy at the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2019, 2020 and 2023. He has received multiple international awards recognising his contributions to education, technology and transportation. In 2025, he was named an Ambassador for the International Day of People with Disability by the Australian Government.
Beyond his professional achievements, Santiago has twice completed the gruelling 100km Kokoda Challenge, hiked the 55km Oxfam Trailwalker, dived with bull sharks in Fiji, and piloted a light aircraft. He is a strong believer that barriers should never prevent anyone from pursuing their dreams, and that access to knowledge gives everyone the power to choose their own path.
When Santiago first arrived in Australia without English, it was through the support of Braille House that he began learning the language. It is an honour for him to now serve as a member of the Braille House Management Committee. He is passionate about ensuring Braille House continues to champion braille, advance accessible technology, and provide the same access to information that once opened doors for him.
Santiago has a BEE.