Hackcessible 2026 - Challenge Proposal Form

Join Hackcessible 2026 as a Challenger!

What is Hackcessible?

Hackcessible is the UK’s first assistive technology make-a-thon competition. Students work in multidisciplinary teams alongside challengers and a mentor to create innovative solutions for accessibility and independence.

This year, it will run from mid-October 2026 to late February 2027.

We will be holding weekly 2 hour workshops on Wednesdays 6pm - 8pm, alongside other events, to help our students design a prototype. You will not be expected to attend all workshops / events. However, there are some exceptions. Dates TBC.

Who is a Challenger?

A challenger is someone from the local community who shares an unmet need related to a particular disability, with us. Students will work with challengers to design and develop a solution that meets their needs and improves quality of life.

A challenger can be any age and either:

  • An individual living with a disability 

  • Carers or family members

  • Friends of advocates

  • Representatives from charities or local organisations

Hackcessible aims to work with a diverse group of challengers. 

Disabilities may include, but are not limited to:

  • Physical

  • Sensory

  • Intellectual or developmental

  • Mental health-related

  • Invisible or chronic illnesses

Your personal experience can inspire a student team to create a helpful solution that fits your needs and is easy to use.

Whether the challenge is too specific for commercial products or just something that could improve your everyday life or hobbies, we want to hear from you!

What are the Time Commitments?

- Three in-person sessions. Dates are to be confirmed, and we will try our best to cover travel expenses.

- Regular email or message updates with teams.

- Potential online meetings organised by yourself and the student team.

What Happens After You Submit the Form?

Applicants will be shortlisted depending on scope of the project and if we believe it's achievable withing our project's short timeframe, limited equipment and financial constraints. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted to talk more about their challenge. Then, if we're all happy to continue, you'll be invited to our opening event where you'll be able to meet your student team, mentor and co-design a solution to your problem!*

Form Deadline: Sunday 6th September 23:59pm

Please see the following booklet for examples of past projects: Hackcessible 2026 - Join Us! 

Find out more about us at: Hackcessible Website 

If you have any questions, please email hackcessible@sheffield.ac.uk


*Please note that Hackcessible is a student-led extracurricular programme, and while we are proud that a number of successful projects have gone back to challengers, we also recognise that not every project is successful. Therefore, a solution or prototype is not guaranteed. However, we are actively exploring ways to best support student teams and to improve long-term project continuity.


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Full Name *
Preferred Name
What are your preferred pronouns?
E.g. They/them
 *
What location are you based in?
Please give the town/city 
E.g. Sheffield
 *
Email Address / Phone Number *
Could you tell us a bit about yourself, including any disabilities or specific needs? *
Please describe one or more specific problems or difficulties you face, not solvable with existing technology, that you think we might be able to help with
Do you already have an idea of a specific tool or device that may help you? If so, please briefly describe it
Have you tried something before to solve this problem / difficulty?
Did it work? If no, why was that?
The 2 hour workshops will most likely be on Wednesdays 6pm - 8pm. We also plan to hold some events on weekends.

Would you be able to make it in person for these workshops / events?
 *
We plan to work with Work Ltd, a company who are looking to create a documentary about Hackcessible. You may have the opportunity to be followed by the crew and interviewed. 

Is this something you would be interested in?
 *
We plan to pair student teams to challenges before our opening event.

Would you be comfortable to share a video / audio of you describing your challenge, so students can select the challenge that best aligns with their skills and knowledge?
 *
How did you hear about Hackcessible?
Please name your affiliated group/charity/organisation
 *
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