Our Story

Hailo's story begins with our co-founder, Santiago Velasquez, a blind innovator who transformed his transit challenges into solutions. Facing a system that often failed to accommodate his needs, Santiago co-founded Hailo to bridge the accessibility gap in public transportation.

While our app is designed with the needs of riders with disabilities in mind, it elevates the transit experience for everyone, fostering ease, safety, and enjoyment in public transportation.

Image of a blind or visually impaired commuter smiling and using his cell phone
Picture of a woman wearing headphones, looking at her phone and smiling while riding the train
Image of a person holding their phone and using the Hailo app
Picture of a woman sitting at a bus stop and holding a white cane

Developed by people with disabilities for people with disabilities

“We, as people with disabilities, rely on the kindness of strangers, and hope that their kindness will make our world accessible. That only gets us so far: Now for the rest. Our world can be made accessible, and it doesn’t need to be hard.”

— Santiago Velasquez

Hailo helps like no other

Image of an animated bus
Animated image of a person waiting to be picked up by an approaching bus
Animated icon of a person in a wheelchair going up a ramp
Animated image of a phone screen with a person on it and an information icon in their speech bubble
Animated image of a person on a phone screen with an information speech bubble, and another person looking at the screen

Alerts public transit drivers that a commuter is waiting to be picked up

Sends live status updates to commuters during their trip

Allows commuters to deploy wheelchair ramps and vehicle suspension using the app

Lets drivers know where commuters want to be dropped off

Communicates commuters’ accessibility requirements to drivers

Meet the Team

  • Photo of Santiago Velasquez

    Santiago Velasquez

    Co-founder/Chief Technology Officer

  • Photo of Jonathan Dalton

    Jonathan Dalton

    Co-founder/Chief Executive Officer

  • Photo of Kevin Brown

    Kevin Brown

    Chief Operating Officer

  • Photo of Wayne Kelly

    Wayne Kelly

    Technical Director

  • Photo of Keri Scullion

    Keri Scullion

    Product Operations Manager

  • Photo of Zayd Humayan

    Zayd Humayan

    Marketing Manager, Intern

  • Photo of Trey, a guide dog

    Trey

    Guide Dog & Mascot