Transport for London unveils £5K Accessibility App competition

Transport for London (TfL) has launched an Accessibility App competition in which developers can win up to £5K in an attempt to create a series of accessibility apps

Transport for London (TfL) has released a developer competition entitled Accessibility App, in which mobile app developers are tasked to create apps for disabled and elderly people for the London transport network.

Partnering with OneVoice ICT, TfL is urging developers to create apps that also make use of real-time data that is more accessible to wider audience than just Apple and Android users.  Developers are given guidance on the sort of accessible apps that may appeal to the judges in a ?The Seven Steps to Accessible Mobile Apps? document created by the competition organisers.

Winning entries will receive development support from TfL, reported to be £5,000*, in addition to what is called a discretionary ?judges? award.? Transport for London states it has made a improvements throughout its physical system in its press release and is trying to do the same for a range of technology users.  As TfL explains on its website, ?The primary objective is to focus the functionality around the needs of the passenger group. Blind or partially sighted passengers, deaf or hearing impaired passengers and those with learning or motor difficulties could all benefit from the clever use of phone functions, good design and useful features to access our services.?

TfL?s open data policy allows developers to access its APIs for free and is seeking apps that can be created to make it easier for disabled and elderly people to use the transport network. The move comes as TfL recently released its latest API, which has supported access to London's live bus arrival information.

The competition is an attempt by TfL to further encourage the development of apps that look at a range of approaches and needs, focusing upon the following categories:

• Demonstrating simplicity
• Delivering innovation
• Effective use of specialist features
• Meeting the needs of specific groups
• Meeting the needs of several groups through one solution

Although developers can win up to £5,000*, TfL states that it, ??reserves the right to change prize totals depending on the number of entries and standards achieved in each area of assessment.?
 
Entries need to be submitted by 30 August 2013 with more information available at the TfL website http://www.tfl.gov.uk/appcomp. The Accessibility app application form is also available at TfL.   Winners will be announced this Autumn.




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