Hi all,

The forum has been quiet lately, so I wanted to put out a feeler and ask how your accessibility projects are going. Are you working on an entry for the Accessibility Award? Considering doing so, but are not sure how to proceed?

Curiously yours,

Annuska

 Hey Annuska,

        Many people that consider the Microsoft Accessibility Competition say that when the see how hard it is the rather coming back next year for the Interface Design Competition. I dont think many people are interested with it. :)
 

Hi. Thanks for the feedback that some folks think this is too hard. I realize that there is definitely work involved in creating a design and great solution. However, I wanted to point out a few things that may help:

- remember that the entry is an Interface Design mockup. (not working code!) So, the entry can be in Powerpoint or other design file.

- The mockup should show how accessibility comes into play. The features in Windows, IE, etc that are part of an accessible solution should be included in the solution, but you do not have to actually implement any working code to do this. Your entry can show how they would be used - conceptually.

- Students in past Imagine Cups have created accessibility projects. I found this very interesting when I was investigating sponsoring the contest! The winner for Ireland's country contest was for an application to learn sign language! That team is now part of the Cup's Innovation Accelerator project. And in India, a top winning entry was for ways the computer could be changed to work better for someone with Cerebral Palsy.

Hope that helps scope the contest and encourages you!

Annuska 

Thanks for the info. Annuska :)