the Wireless Innovation Hackathon for Accessibility

Mission Statement

To empower interdisciplinary student teams to collaboratively design innovative, technology-driven solutions that enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities. By centering co-design, empathy, and direct engagement with the disability community, we aim to foster inclusive innovation that addresses real-world challenges and drives meaningful impact.

Wireless Tech Focus

Wireless technologies, like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and smart devices, are transforming how people with disabilities live, work, and connect. From voice-controlled apps to IoT-powered tools, these innovations can bridge the gap to a more inclusive, accessible world. 

This impact-driven hackathon invites students from all disciplines to co-design bold, practical solutions that promote greater independence, access, and inclusion for people with disabilities. No prior experience with disability or assistive technology is required—just curiosity, creativity, and a passion for inclusive innovation. 

What Is Wireless Technology? 

Wireless technologies transmit information without a continuous physical connection. They power: 

• Apps – Mobile and voice-controlled applications 
• IoT Devices – Smart tools that interact with users and environments 
• Communication Tools – Voice, video, text, and social platforms 
• Essential Services – Emergency alerts, health monitoring, navigation, and more 

Explore One of Our Three Open Innovation Tracks: 

• Employment: Improve access, productivity, and inclusion in the workplace 
• Healthcare: Support independent health management and access to care 
• Community Living: Enable safer, smarter, and more accessible homes and neighborhoods 

Timeline

Pre-Event

• Registration (Open 07/01 – Closes Sept 30.)
  • Individuals and Teams can easily register for the Hackathon by filling out this short registration form.  You will receive confirmation of your registration shortly afterwards.  
  • All registrations must be in before September 26^th, 2025.   No in-person registration will be allowed. 
  • Participants must complete and return the participation agreement prior to 09/30 (sent upon registration).
• Team formation (We will pair all singles into groups by 10/01)

Event Days

• Day 1: Friday October 3rd
  
  • 5:00 to 6:00 pm | Registration and Welcome Mingle (Pizza & Networking) 
  • 6:00 to 6:30 pm | Official Kickoff & Keynote
  • 6:30pm – 10pm | Team Problem Selection & Brainstorming 
     
•  Day 2: Saturday October 4th
  • 9am - 9:45am | Breakfast and Team Check-in
  • 9:45am - 12pm | Hacking Work Block 1 and Mentor feedback 
  • 12pm - 1pm | Lunch
  • 1pm - 5pm | Hacking Work Block 2 and Mentor feedback 
  • 5pm - 6:30pm | Group Activity and Dinner
  • 6:30pm - 10pm | Hacking Work Block 3 
     
• Day 3: Sunday
  • 9am - 9:45am | Breakfast and Team Check-in
  • 9:45am – 12pm | Finalize Presentations & Submit Project.  All teams must have their projects submitted no later than 12pm.
  • 12pm - 1pm | Lunch 
  • 1pm - 2:30pm | Team Presentations (5-Minute Pitch/Demo + 3-Minute Q&A per team)  
  • 2:30pm - 3pm | Judges deliberate and choose winners
  • 3pm - 3:30pm | Winners announced, Event Survey’s distributed
     

Prizes

Student teams will get invaluable experience developing and pitching their ideas to a panel of tech and disability experts.  Plus, cash prizes are up for grabs!

🏆 1st Place: $1500 🥈 2nd Place: $1000 🥉 3rd Place: $500

Student/Team Eligibility Requirements

• The hackathon is open to undergrad and grad students from ANY Pittsburgh-area university or college. 
   
• You can register individually or as a team.   
   
• ALL MAJORS are encouraged to apply.  All ideas and perspectives are welcome and appreciated!   (e.g. Your team might create a music app, or a history app, or a study app, an exercise app, or ...?)  You do not need to be a coder to participate!
   
• Teams must be composed of 3 to 5 students. Interdisciplinary collaboration between technology and health science disciplines is strongly encouraged. This structure is fundamental to the Hackathon’s goal of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to create innovative, impactful solutions for individuals with disabilities.

  • Clinical majors are especially encouraged to apply as you have the practical experience to ensure the apps are appropriate and usable by the intended audience.  You understand the clinical potential and limitations of SmartTech as assistive technology.

  • For Computer Science / Bioengineering majors, this is an opportunity to create a useful and marketable product with tangible clinical benefits with support from industry professionals, business development leaders, and medical professionals.

Judging Criteria

The criterion for judging is as follows:  

• Problem and Empathy: Is the problem well-defined and clearly tied to user needs or lived experience?   (10 points)
• Innovation & Creativity: Is the solution novel, imaginative, or offering a unique approach?  (10 points)
• Feasibility & Impact: Is the solution practical, realistic, and likely to improve users’ lives? (10 points)
• Technical Execution: How ambitious and complete is the solution? Was a working prototype developed? (10 points)
• Accessibility & Inclusion:  Is the solution accessible to its intended users, and designed inclusively? (10 points) 
• Communication & Teamwork:  Was the presentation clear? Did the team collaborate effectively? (10 points) 

Ready to apply?

Click here to fill out a short registration form

Want more information?
Check out our FAQ or e-mail Julie Faieta JUF52@pitt.edu