Bridging Indigenous Heritage and Digital Accessibility with TechDefined

Last year, I took a trip to Sri Lanka that changed how I see the world — and my mission with TechDefined. Along the journey, I visited my ancestral roots among the Vedda people, one of the island’s indigenous communities. As I immersed myself in their culture, stories, and traditions, I realised that their resilience, resourcefulness, and close connection to the land reflected a broader lesson: the power of understanding diverse perspectives.

I am a product of my environment — growing up with advanced keratoconus and navigating a world not designed for visual impairment shaped how I see, think, and work. Traditional glasses aren’t an option for me; I rely on specialized contact lenses to see the world clearly. Daily life, work, and navigating technology all require creative solutions and constant adaptation. Visiting the Vedda people, who are closely related to Aboriginal Australians in terms of heritage and ancestry, reinforced the importance of designing systems that respect and support everyone — regardless of ability.

This perspective directly informs my work at TechDefined, an independent Australian company. Accessibility is not just a legal requirement; it’s about empowering people to fully participate in digital life. Just as my Vedda ancestors adapted to survive and thrive, I’m committed to helping organisations create digital experiences that adapt to all users — whether they have visual, auditory, cognitive, or mobility challenges.

At TechDefined, we specialise in accessibility audits and inclusive design consulting, ensuring websites and digital tools are usable for all. While assistive technology is part of our future roadmap, our current focus is on identifying barriers, fixing compliance gaps, and making digital spaces more inclusive.

A key part of our mission is supporting Indigenous businesses in Australia, helping them ensure their websites and digital services are accessible to everyone. The need is clear: according to the Australian Digital Inclusion Index, Indigenous Australians score 65.9/100 on digital inclusion, compared with 73.4 nationally. In remote areas, the gap widens dramatically, leaving many communities unable to fully engage with digital services. By combining cultural understanding with accessibility expertise, we aim to create solutions that are respectful, inclusive, and effective.

Accessibility is about connection, equity, and dignity.

By understanding the barriers people face — whether cultural, physical, or digital — we can design solutions that lift everyone up. Visiting the Vedda people reminded me that every individual’s perspective matters, and that inclusivity should be at the heart of technology, education, and business.

If you’re a business, organisation, or educational institution, consider how accessible your digital spaces are. TechDefined helps organisations not just comply with accessibility standards, but create environments that allow everyone to participate independently and confidently.

By bridging my heritage, lived experience, and technology, I hope to create a world where everyone — regardless of ability — can access, engage, and thrive.