Accessibility Challenge

The W4A Accessibility Challenge provides an opportunity for researchers and practitioners to showcase new and innovative technologies in the field of accessibility. The main goal of the Challenge is to encourage and accelerate the development of innovative and usable technologies, as well as provide feedback to the authors from end-users and experts in the field. The Challenge is where experimental systems and technologies are compared and evaluated both by the delegates and an independent panel of judges to identify the most significant advances in accessibility research that year.

In particular, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to apply and showcase their thesis work in the field of accessibility.

Awards

Authors are required to attend the conference and present their work. Accessibility Challenge submissions are eligible for two types of awards:

  • Judges Award will be selected by five judges coming from different backgrounds such as academia, industry, and government, all relating to accessibility.
  • Delegates Award is selected by the audience, considering the best pitch and demo presentation at the conference.

Panel of judges:

Challenge details for delegates

This year the W4A Web Accessibility Challenge will involve a 10-minute presentation including:

  • A slide pitch presentation
  • A video sent to the Challenge Chairs

During the presentation, each Challenge entrant will “pitch” their solution to the audience and articulate the innovative aspects of their technology and how it advances accessibility and usability. Their presentation will define the accessibility issue their technology solves, and describe the innovations one can expect to see during the demonstration video that will follow. The presenter may or may not allocate time for questions during the session.

Delegates will be given access to a virtual poll for selecting their favorite demo for the Web Accessibility Challenge Delegates’ Award. The poll will be distributed during the conference.

Submission materials and details

Your application should contain the following:

Abstract: A two-page extended abstract. It may include limited references. For template and accessibility information, please refer to the Submissions page.

Demo Video: The demonstration media file (compulsory) and the software (optional):

  • For large movie files, you can consider alternative methods for submission such as posting on YouTube; in this case, please add a tag “#w4a2022” to the movie, and submit a file with the URL of the movie. The maximum length of the movie is 5 minutes.
  • Abstracts and movies should emphasize the innovative ideas in the system; do not demonstrate whole functions including usual or average functions.
  • The demonstration movies should be accessible; please consider adding audio descriptions and not adding unnecessary audio (e.g., background music).

All the files should be submitted via e-mail to cc2022@w4a.info.

System requirements

  • Any kind of system or prototype that improves usability and accessibility is acceptable, such as mobile applications, assistive technologies, voice browsers, voice user interfaces, browser plug-ins, server-based services, telephony systems, etc.
  • Open source systems are welcome

Conference attendance

A presentation and demonstration will be part of the W4A event, thus attendance of at least one author is mandatory.

Deadline

  • Extended Abstract and Video Deadline: 9 February, 2022
  • Notification: 19 February, 2022

Contact

If you have any questions relating to the submission process, please email cc2022@w4a.info.