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Hack-cess

  

image of students working on computers and phones surrounded by high tech devices
From February 15-23, 2025, the Wireless Rehabilitation Engineering Resource Center at the University of Pittsburgh will host HACK-cess: Solutions for an Accessible Pittsburgh.

About HACK-cess Pittsburgh:

The goal of this Hackathon is to empower the creation of wireless applications for use by and/or for persons with various (visual, auditory, motor, cognitive, etc.) disabilities. While solutions can have a physical component (such as a robotic arm or curtain robot), they MUST include a Wireless Technology and/or Internet of Things control.  (e.g. They cannot just be a physical object)
 

Timeline
  • Registration opens December 1st, 2024.
  • Hackathon Opening and Idea Sessions:  February 15-16, 2025
  • Hackathon Week 2 Sessions: February 22-23
  • Hackathon Team Presentations: February 23rd 2025 @ 1-4 pm
  • Hackathon Winners Announced:  February 23rd @ 4:00 pm.
Prizes

First Place Team: $1500 +a special prize to be announced

Second Place Team: $1000

Third Place Team: $500

Mentors and Judges

We are seeking individuals with lived disability experience, individuals working in the tech and app development industry, and individuals with entrepreneurial/business experience to join our panel of mentors to provide feedback and expertise to our student participants.  Even if you cannot attend on all days of the hackathon, if you can participate for at least two days, (15 & 16, 22 & 23), please fill out the form below to apply!   We NEED your expertise and experience and appreciate any time you can spare.  (There may be compensation.)

Whichever route you choose, persons with disabilities and/or industry mentors should start by registering here!!

Student Team Requirements
  • Team members must be current students at any Pittsburgh University or College.
  • Teams must have between 3-5 people. 
  • Teams are strongly advised to include at least one person who is from a clinical discipline. Example clinical majors could include: Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Prosthetics & Orthotics, Rehabilitation Science, Audiology, Communication Science, Emergency Medicine, Health Informatics, Nutrition Science, Sports Medicine, Bioengineering, and many others.  Depending on your chosen problem and solution, this could be very beneficial in making your solution viable and useful. 
  • As solutions are required to have a Wireless Tech component, teams are also strongly advised to include at least one person from a technical discipline. Example technical majors could include:  Engineering, Computer Science, etc. 
  • Teams that include individuals with lived experience will have an advantage throughout the competition.
  • On the first night of HACK-cess, we will give teams a final opportunity to pair up and add members if you are lacking one of the categories above.

Team registrations will begin on December 1st!!   
All students should register through this webpage!

Need more details?   Check out our FAQ!

 or e-mail Julie Faieta @ JUF52@pitt.edu