Nearly 60 developers and technologists tested their creative skills to the extreme, at the first ever RNIB Hackathon on 11 and 12 February 2012.
The hackathon got developers thinking about accessibility for mobile apps and understanding the barriers people with sight loss contend with.
During the course of the hackathon, 8 RNIB personnel were joined by 37 developers, and 22 technologists at the premises of Skillsmatter, London EC1. At the end of the hackathon, 5 apps had been developed as 'proof of concept'.
A huge thank you to everyone who took part, and to our sponsors:
Skillsmatter,
Novoda and
Blue Via.
A hackathon is a gathering of programmers to collaboratively code in an extreme manner over a short period of time - usually a few days or over a weekend.
Think: accessibility
We wanted to get the developers thinking about accessibility for mobile apps, and to get a better understanding of the barriers people with sight loss contend with on day to day basis. The aim was to get some accessible mobile phone apps developed.
The attendees heard a range of presentations from illustrious and knowledgeable speakers from RNIB and the developer industry. They were also given plenty of opportunities to talk to blind and partially sighted people.
Throughout the hackathon, it was emphasised that an accessible app doesn't have to be complex. It could be something as simple as a game to provide fun and enjoyment.
The hackathon wasn't all work - there were plenty of games and other refreshments on hand!
Five apps
There were a total of five apps developed over the duration of the hackathon. These apps are a 'proof of concept' and by no means the finished article.
Place Friend
This app could navigate around places that have been tagged. Points of interest or landmarks could be tagged by speaking into the phone and recording the voice.
These could be a bus stop, a zebra crossing, a church and so on. When the person takes a journey down that same area, the landmarks would be spoken when that person passed them.
RNIB App
This app would pull out information from RNIB website and also use an RSS feed and browser. This app proved the concept of making RNIB content available via a mobile app.
Friend in my pocket
This app would use the current GPS information to tell you what is around you at the time. So you would be told you will be walking past Barclays Bank and you may also get the street name or area.
Via TV Guide
An EPG (Electronic Programme Guide) - AKA TV listings - for Android with 453 channels listed, with a 'what's on now' feature. The app can also access radio stations and be used for Virgin and Freeview. It includes a description of the programmes and a record feature. Users can use the app to change channels on a Sky TV box.
Money note scanner
A scanner that picks out the colour of the note to differentiate the different notes. The app can was used on a £5 and a £10 and played a different sound for the different notes.
The winners
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The prize for the £1000 Geovation-sponsored award went to 'Friend in my Pocket'.
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The creators of 'Place Friend' won the Most Innovative New App category prize of a Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini, donated by RNIB.
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'VIA TV Guide' won the Everyday Living category prize of a £50 gift voucher donated by RNIB
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'Money note scanner' won the Independent Living category prize of £50 donated by Blue Via.
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'RNIB App' won a special judges commendation award. Its creator, Grant Kemp was awarded a Mobile Broadband Dongle, donated by 3 Mobile, and invited to meet with RNIB project managers to discuss how to make the prototype a corporately supported app.
What people said
A prize winner: "Thank you so much for awarding me one of the prizes. I am really flattered that you liked my work and hope it will prove useful."
An industry figure: "I truly believe this level of open collaboration around innovation will help RNIB and the fast moving mobile industry to create a more level playing field for us all. So, thank you again [to those who] kept us all excited, well looked after and very focused on producing measurable results which I am very confident will come and for the RNIB staff who gave their precious weekend time and some even in the early hours of the morning. Now this is what I call a truly a wonderful 'inclusive' experience!"
A major OS provider: "Heard about your hackathon, and I'd like to start thinking of an Accessibility hackathon for our platform"
Thank you!
A big thank you for everyone who turned up to the hackathon. Thank you to Skillsmatter for hosting the event and looking after us over the weekend.
Thank you to Skillsmatter, Novoda and Blue Via for sponsoring the event and providing everyone with refreshments.