The Vodafone Foundation Smart Accessibility Awards is a
contest to promote the development of IT applications designed to improve the
lives of those with disabilities and people that are older, to help them get
more actively involved in society.
In 2012 we celebrate the II Edition after the great results
of last year competition. In 2011 over 60 apps were received and more than 100
people participated in the awards. Find more information about 2011 finalists
and winners.
The programme is supported and co-organized by AGE Platform
Europe, the European network of around 160 organizations of and for people aged
50+, and the European Disability Forum (EDF), the NGO that represents the
interests of 80 million Europeans with disabilities.
Launched in Brussels, the competition will award the best
smartphone application in four areas:
• Social
participation: refers to applications which help users to become more involved
in today's society and help them benefit from using new technologies, whatever
their age and/or capacity. The aim is
to help everyone to access the web and social media through smartphones.
• Independent
living: refers to applications which help users with everyday tasks such as
washing or opening a door easily and safely so that they can live more
independently
• Mobility:
refers to applications which enable users to travel freely and safely whatever
kind of transport system they would like to use. It also refers to the use of
GPS and locations apps which can help guide people in unfamiliar places.
• Wellbeing:
refers to applications which improve the users' health and overall feeling of
wellbeing.
Entrants can compete for a share of the €200k prize fund
from 30 May 2012 to 15 October 2012. Finalist will present their application to
the jury in a final event that will take place in December in Brussels.
Here are six testimonials which can help to inspire you to
create new ways of making technology accessible for all: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt4crzvwaYA&feature=player_embedded
Further details