Until April 26, developers and IT experts can apply to participate in the Accessibility Hackathon: Microsoft’s first virtual marathon for accessibility.
Microsoft Italy announces the Accessibility Hackathon, a virtual marathon to develop innovative solutions to improve the conditions of people with disabilities. Organized by Microsoft Italia on the occasion of the Accessibility Days, scheduled from 22 to 23 May, the initiative is part of Ambizione Italia per l’Inclusione e l’Accessibilità, an ecosystem project aimed at promoting the values of Diversity in our country through digital, which translates into a strategic alliance between Microsoft Italia, companies, institutions and associations to develop new projects to support Accessibility and Inclusion in daily life and in the company, leveraging new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Cloud Computing.
And it is precisely from the alliance that the challenge starts. Its members will highlight the most urgent needs and offer the participating teams ideas on which to work. But everyone can give their contribution: citizens, companies and associations can share and propose their idea, so that it can be developed by programmers and digital experts during the hackathon. Until Sunday, April 26th, it is therefore possible both to submit your idea and to register as a participant – single or in team – to the development marathon on the dedicated website.
Once the teams and ideas have been identified and combined, the actual creation phase will begin on 28 April, where solutions will be developed to meet concrete needs, thus promoting a more inclusive society. The proposals will then be evaluated by a jury of experts during the Accessibility Days, an annual event to raise awareness on disability issues.
Microsoft Accessibility Hackathon: registrations open until April 26th
During the development weeks, participating teams will also benefit from the experience and expertise of Microsoft experts through a series of webinars to learn how to master Microsoft technology, from AI to the implementation of a chatbot. Teams will also be supported by mentors for additional tips and advice.
“In such a delicate situation like this, we cannot afford to leave anyone behind. In these last few weeks of emergency we have witnessed an unprecedented process of digital transformation and we have realized how much new technology can actually help people and organizations every day, all over the world. In this historical moment in which it becomes a priority to think about plans and strategies for the restart of the country, it is essential to think also in terms of social inclusion. Let’s think about the extraordinary opportunities that digital technology can offer to people with disabilities, enhancing their skills and helping them to live and work like everyone else. At Microsoft we have always worked to make our products and services “accessible by design”, i.e. designed to be used by everyone from the design stage. With Accessibility Hackathon we want to offer our support, facilitating the union of supply and demand and providing our experience and expertise. Never before has everyone’s contribution been needed to build a better future,” said Luba Manolova, Director of the Microsoft 365 Division at Microsoft Italia.
For more information about the hackathon and how to participate please log in to this LINK.