#BuildwithAT #WeloveNerds #WomenInTech

Overview:

Accessible Tech for All is a hackathon aimed at fostering innovation in technology that ensures accessibility for people with disabilities and diverse needs. This event will bring together developers, designers, and innovators to create solutions that eliminate digital and physical barriers, making technology truly inclusive for everyone. This hackathon is an opportunity to design impactful tech for those who need it most.

Why Attend?

• Make a Difference: Create technology that empowers individuals with disabilities, ensuring equal access to digital resources and improving quality of life.

• Learn New Skills: Gain hands-on experience in developing accessible digital solutions, leveraging AI, IoT, and modern design practices.
• Impactful Innovation: Use this opportunity to innovate in a rapidly growing field where technology can create a real social impact.

Key Focus Areas:

• Digital Accessibility: Design software and apps that ensure people with visual, auditory, or motor disabilities can fully engage with digital platforms.

• Assistive Technologies: Build devices or tools that aid individuals with physical, cognitive, or sensory impairments, supporting their independence and enhancing their quality of life.
• AI-Powered Solutions: Utilize AI to create intelligent accessibility tools, such as speech-to-text, image recognition, or adaptive interfaces for individuals with disabilities.
• Smart Home Accessibility: Innovate IoT solutions that enable people with disabilities to interact more easily with smart home systems, increasing autonomy and comfort in their daily lives.
• Education for All: Create accessible educational platforms and tools, providing equal learning opportunities for students with disabilities.
• Workplace Inclusion: Develop tools that facilitate workplace accessibility for individuals with disabilities, such as communication aids, productivity apps, or ergonomic solutions.

Target Attendees:

• Software Developers
• UI/UX and Product Designers
• Data Scientists and AI/ML Engineers
• Healthcare Professionals
• Educators and Researchers
• Non-profit Organizations
• Accessibility Advocates

These diverse groups of attendees will bring a range of skills, perspectives, and ideas to the hackathon, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment for innovation.

All developers, from all fields, are welcome for the hackathon.

What to Expect as an Attendee:

• Cutting-Edge Tools and Technologies: Gain access to Africa's Talking APIs and SDKs, specifically designed to streamline implementation and ensure a seamless experience.
• Mentorship and Guidance: Collaborate closely with seasoned experts from Africa's Talking, who will serve as mentors throughout the hackathon. Benefit from their guidance, insights, and support as we build together.
• Expand Your Network: As a member of our community, you'll have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, potential collaborators, and industry professionals. Build valuable relationships that can propel your career or projects to new heights.
• Exciting Rewards and Recognition: Get a chance to win cash prizes and earn recognition for your innovative solutions. Get to receive accolades for your contributions through our social media, potential collaborators and other platforms.
• Qualify for the Marketplace Program: By participating in the hackathon, you become eligible to join our exclusive Marketplace Program. Unlock opportunities to further develop and monetize your solutions, making a lasting impact on Africa's economic growth and development.
• Exposure to other women in tech opportunities.

Solution Criteria:

• Use of Africa's Talking APIs: How effectively the project utilizes one or more of the Africa's Talking APIs i.e. SMS, USSD, Airtime, Voice.
• Innovation: The originality and creativity of the project idea and implementation.
• User Experience: How well the project meets user needs and provides an intuitive and seamless experience.
• Functionality: How well the project performs the intended functionality and handles errors and edge cases.
• Presentation: The clarity and effectiveness of the project demonstration and pitch.

New to Africa's Talking? Get started here.

Developer Documentation (We welcome feedback)

THEME: Accessible Tech for All

The winning solution will receive cash prizes as follows:

• Winner - $100
• 1st Runners Up - $50
• 2nd Runners Up - $25

Social Media give-aways too!

More exclusive prizes and giveaways to attendees.

Contribute to open-source.

Agenda:

1. Introductions

2. Overview

• Technical hands-on session

3. Ideation

• Form teams where need be.
• Feedback

4. Building/hacking: Code in GitHub/GitLab/BitBucket and deploy in Docker/Automated CI/Travis CI/Bamboo

5. Demonstration and Wrap-up

• Teams or individuals will demonstrate what they have hacked for feedback or adoption.

Note: Carry a laptop

Opportunities:

• Network
• Innovate
• Access to our Talent bench (You can get a job or a gig on the spot)

Submit your Idea:

• Hackathon idea submission form

Join our community channels:

• Community Page:
• Join Africa's Talking Women In Tech Community here

• Twitter (X):
• Follow Our Page on X here

Africa's Talking powers communications solutions across Africa with simplified access to telco infrastructure, developers use our powerful SMS, USSD, Voice, Airtime and Data, to bring their ideas to life, as they build and sustain scalable businesses.

Africa's Talking community allows developers to learn skills for the modern-day African Developer. We are language and framework agnostic. All developers are welcome. This is where Africa's Talking developers community meets to build, learn and exchange knowledge.

We are helping software developers and businesses to bring their ideas to life through easy-to-use APIs quickly.

Everyone is welcome!

Transport:

• We will provide transport to and from Jeevanjee Garden.
• Note that Jeevanjee Garden Departure time is 7:45 AM (kindly be on time).