News
International Day of People with Disability ambassador on inclusive access to public transport.
Since 1992, the United Nations has observed the International Day of People with Disability, an annual event focusing on how society can strive for inclusivity through the removal of physical, technological and attitudinal barriers for people with disability.
IDPwD is an opportunity to be part of creating an inclusive and diverse community for the 5.5 million people with disability in Australia, according to the website.
Santiago Velasquez is one of this year’s ambassadors. Originally from Columbia, his family immigrated to Australia when he was a child, looking to build a better life around his disability.
Mr Velasquez is an electrical engineer. He also happens to be blind.
“I can still see light colours and large objects, but details are non-existent. Everything that I do is either through braille or using screen reading software where my computer talks to me, my watch, my phone, and so on,” he explains.
Utilising his trade skills and lived experience, Mr Velasquez co-founded an accessibility app called Hailo, bridging the gap between public transportation and the needs of passengers with disability.
The engineer says he came up with the idea after becoming frustrated with getting left behind by drivers.
I can't see buses approaching…I couldn’t wave them down. If I managed to get on a bus, I couldn't press the bell at the right moment. I had to rely on the driver to remember where I wanted to get off.
Santiago Velasquez
He added that the disability community experiences similar accessibility issues when catching a taxi or an Uber, especially if the passenger has a guide dog.
“The Hailo platform allows you to disclose your disability if you want. So, I would put on a guide dog user,” Mr Velasquez explains. “As you get close to catching a bus or train, the driver gets an alert on where to stop on their dashboard. It also shows them what type of access, requirements and assistance you
might need.”
As one of this year's International Day of People with Disability ambassadors, Mr Velasquez believes the day is one of celebration, as it shows society that differences are what makes those in the disability community unique.
Our difference is what allows us to contribute to society. I was always told that I couldn't see, but anything else was fair game
Santiago Velasquez
The entrepreneur hopes to make meaningful change with the other ambassadors, arguing that society could be more equitable and prosperous “in terms of financial and economic benefits,” if it included people with disability in all stages of planning.
“We all play a part in this world…forgo the perceptions or assumptions before you let us try something. You'll be pleasantly surprised because we are as capable as you are. We just tend to do things a little bit differently.”
International Day of People with Disability is held on the 3rd of December.