UPDATE: Due to unforeseen circumstances, Hackcess will now take place in Fall 2025. Sign up below to be notified as details emerge!
About Hackcess:
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
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Registration opens soon! Sign up now to receive notifications when we go live!
- Prizes
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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 Requirements
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- You do not need to be an expert coder to participate!
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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 ...?)
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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.
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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.\
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The hackathon is open to undergrad and grad students from ANY Pittsburgh-area university or college.
- Teams should have 3-5 people—more brains, more ideas! No team? No worries! Sign up solo, and we’ll help you find teammates at the first event.
- Mentors and Judges
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We are also 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, 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.)
Please contact bop38@pitt.edu to register your interest in becoming a Hackathon Mentor