Have you ever struggled with:
- Drinking a cup of tea;
- Your creative flow and self-expression;
- Chilling on your X-Box;
- Catching a train?
How many? One, or maybe none?
For the many of the thousands of people with disabilities any of these tasks can bring extra challenges. Now, with the support of our incredible Accessibility Award winners, many disabled people no longer have deal with issues, lots of us take for granted.
Celebrating accessibility innovation and dedication
Since 2011, AbilityNet’s Accessibility Award has been celebrating innovation and dedication. It showcases those using tech for good to help people who are disabled, both in the UK and around the world.
These are life-changing and empowering technologies. They give some of the most disempowered communities the opportunity to experience things they had once only dared to dream about.
Above all, our winners have spotted a problem and put all their efforts into finding a practical solution, with marvellous effect.
We just wanted to remind you all about some of our Accessibility Award winners.
Digit Music, making music accessible to all
Winners in 2019, Digit Music are the creators of Control One, a non-instrument alternative for severely disabled people to create music. The only product of its kind, it allows physically disabled people to create music without having to learn an entirely new physical skill.
Lifelites, bringing magic to children in hospices
The charity Lifelites brings magic to children with severe disabilities or life-threatening illnesses. Since winning the Accessibility Award 2011 their tech packs, have gone on to help over 10,000 children, in every hospice in the UK.
Lexable, giving the focus to content and creativity
Start up tech company Lexable has grown massively, since it won the in 2012. They created a discreet and intuitive spelling and grammar-checker. Consequently, people with dyslexia can now concentrate more on content and creativity.
Specialeffect, using the power of games
Specialeffect, winner in 2014, has been helping even more people using the power of computer games. They work with lots of disabled people including severely injured service men or stroke victims. As a result they help rebuild self-esteem and supports rehabilitation.
Open Bionics, Star Wars the next generation of bionic hands
Open Bionics, our 2015 winner, won us over with their affordable 3D printed Bionic hands for amputees. Since then they have been busy releasing their next generation of bionic hands for children. Incredibly, kids can now choose from Star Wars, Ironman or Frozen-themed designs which lightup.
Wayfindr, opening up the world to millions
Accessibilty Award winner, Wayfindr, designed a system for people with limited sight. As a result they can navigate through some of the most complicated public spaces imaginable. They are now on the path to create a new global standard for wayfinding technology. This could really open up the world to millions more.
Nominations now open for the Accessibility Award sponsored by Google
Finally, Could you be our next winner? Do you know some else that fits the bill? Our nominations are now open. For more details on the category or to apply go to the Tech4Good Awards website.
