HACKCESSIBLE INDIA 2026

About the competition

In this competition, students will work in teams using inclusive design principles to develop workable products that support the needs of people with disabilities. It is based on the successful Hackcessible makeathon which has run for a number of years with students at the University of Sheffield. 

The competition will be run online, involving teams of 3-4 pupils from each school aged 16-18 (Grade 11 and 12). It is open to secondary schools in India.

The challenges for teams are focused around case studies with a detailed brief that involve a particular need arising from disability, and potential assistive technology to address it. 

Why Hackcessible?

Advances in technology offer many opportunities to improve the lives of people with disabilities, helping them to break down barriers to communication, mobility, learning and independence. By harnessing technology in creative and innovative ways, we can design assistive devices that address real challenges and promote inclusion and equality. Hackcessible invites you to be part of this mission – challenging you to think differently, collaborate, and create accessible technology solutions that make a meaningful difference. 

How it works

This will be a two-stage event. All student teams will respond to the initial challenge with a conceptual design and submit a video explaining their solution.  Your team will select one challenge from the list given here (or propose their own challenge). The top 5 selected teams will then develop that into a detailed design, and pitch their solution to a panel of experts. A prize will be awarded to each member of the winning team.

Throughout Hackcessible the teams will be supported by a series of exciting and informative video talks, delivered by academics from the University of Sheffield, Microsoft, AssisTech Foundation and many others. Further support will be provided through online Q&A sessions and a chat group. There will also be a showcase of previous projects by Sheffield's Hackcessible students.

Schedule 2026

Key dates in the schedule are:

• Monday 7th September – Launch date

• Monday 21st September – Teams select the case study they will work on - make sure you've registered before then using the link below!

• Friday 23rd October – Submit first stage design (video)

• Friday 30th October – Selected teams announced for second stage

• Monday 30th November – Submit second stage (design portfolio)

• Saturday 12th December – Final online event, in which teams pitch their solutions to a panel of experts

Prizes

Each member of the winning team will receive an iPad. All team members that progress to the second stage will receive a letter of recommendation from Professor Guy Brown, a senior academic in the School of Computer Science at the University of Sheffield.

Terms and conditions apply: The University of Sheffield reserves the rights, in its sole discretion, to make reasonable changes to the terms of this competition.