Vodafone has kicked off its 2012 Smart Accessibility Awards. The €200,000 competition fund is open to app developers across Europe who can design smartphone apps that are targeted toward the needs of older people and those with disabilities.
The Vodafone Foundation runs the annual programme that is supported and co-organised by AGE Platform Europe and the European Disability Forum.
In Ireland, the National Digital Research Centre (NDRC) has announced it will be hosting a free two-day workshop at its Crane Street, Dublin, base on 21-22 August.
The NDRC has apparently hooked up with Vodafone, the NCBI, the Irish Internet Association and the mobile open community group Mobile Monday to encourage Irish interest in this European competition. It will run the two-day workshop via its Inventorium programme.
Mark Kearns, who runs the Inventorium programme, said the idea of the NDRC workshops will be to help Irish app developers come up with ideas that could help enrich the lives of older populations and people with disabilities.
Speaking about how the Vodafone competition attracted more than 60 apps last year, Kearns said the aim is to see Ireland represented with some “compelling” new ideas.
As for the app competition itself, developers will be able to enter in four categories: social participation, independent living, mobility, and well-being.
According to the Vodafone Foundation, the best app will be awarded in each category. The deadline for entries is 15 October 2012.
Apps image via Shutterstock
