The 1^st Innovate for Disability Hackathon will bring together innovators from around the country to solve challenges faced by disabled persons in low-resource settings. The innovations are intended to be assistive technologies that create a better sustainable lifestyle for Persons with Disabilities through boosting the access and optimal usage of resources without being limited by disability. This year’s Hackathon to be held at Nkumba University and Makerere University will focus on ICT innovations to boost access and optimal use of available resources in through Innovation.

This hackathon is meant to have several innovators creating disruptive technological solutions for disabled persons. Due to the existing digital divide among persons with Disabilities in Uganda, UCC in collaboration with 8tech and NUDIPU is implementing a project for enhancing knowledge management, ICT Adaption, Digital skills and access to E-services for people with disabilities in Uganda. This hackathon is therefore meant to register ICT innovations in a bid to close the digital divide. Innovators are called upon to participate in this exciting 5-day event, where teams will work to generate and transform ideas into prototypes that have the potential to transform lives of Persons with Disabilities across Uganda and the world at large.

Goal: To generate ICT Innovations that can ease the access, Usage, and awareness of ICTs among persons with disabilities.

Some of the Challenges faced by people with disabilities

• Mobility and accommodation
• Stigmatization & negative attitude
• Financial Inclusion
• Lack of education
• High Poverty Levels
• Low access to government e-services

Key Thematic areas of innovation

• Health
• Education
• Financial services
• Transport
• Agriculture among others

Eligibility

Participants should be students and recent graduates. Participation can be individual or in teams not exceeding three members. A member can only belong to one team only.

Duration: This hackathon is set to take a period of 5 days starting from 3^rd October 2022 to 7^th October 2022 in Nkumba University after which teams will converge to present their prototypes to a team of judges who will make decisions based on the following criteria;

1. Compliance with eligibility
2. How does the solution solve a problem relating to persons with disabilities
3. Level of Creativity
4. Viability of the solution
5. Strength and ability to implement the product

Prizes

1^st Prize (Overall Winner): 1.5 million Ugx

2^nd Prize (1^st Runners up): 1 million Ugx

3^rd Prize (2nd Runners up): 500,000 Ugx

Interested parties should express their interest by filling this form latest 31^st September, 2022