Knowbility event @ SXSW, Austin, Texas COMING SOON!
01:25, 11 January 2008
.. Posted in techculture and tech to help.. Link
One of my favorite nonprofits in the whole world, Knowbility, along with Hugh Forrestt (Director of the world famous SXSW), are teaming together again for the seventh annual AIR-Interactive Competition! (AIR = Accessibility Internet Rally) in Austin, Texas.
AIR-Interactive 2008 will bring together volunteer teams of Web professionals, who will create exciting, media-rich and ACCESSIBLE Web sites for Austin-area musicians, artists and arts organizations. Through AIR-Interactive, participants apply their technological expertise to ensure that Austin's rich cultural traditions and new cultural breakthroughs can be enjoyed by everyone, including people with disabilities.
The top sites are recognized at the awards ceremony held as a part of SXSW Interactive in March 2008. In addition, participants learn about the best practices of accessibility, skills they can apply in their day-to-day work long after the competition is over.
Web designers: this is your chance to really shine as developers, and participate in one of the best Web Development conferences in the World, SXSW Interactive . All sites created for the competition will be showcased throughout the conference at Knowbility’s Interactive Accessibility exhibit at the trade show. SXSW attendees will have the opportunity to vote for the People’s Choice winner.
NOTE: Unlike the AIR Rallies, which are eight intensely fun hours, compressed into a single day, this version of AIR has a 30-day development cycle.
Why this is important: Many opportunities to learn about and even participate in arts activities are online: patrons schedule attendance, purchase tickets, view videos, listen to audio clips of performances, get historical information about exhibitors and continue relationships after a particular performance or exhibit has ended. These experiences should be open to everyone, but most of the Internet (estimates range from 75-90%) is not accessible to children and adults with disabilities. Help change the Web for the better by participating in this fun, friendly Web design competition.
Jayne's personal endorsement: I have been a volunteer with Knowbility for many years, and have had the honor of helping with several AIR events. I have never experienced the kind and level of energy and fun at a volunteer event that I have at AIR. I think it speaks volumes that so many volunteers return again and again, year after year! If I were in Austin, I would totally be at this event!! I wish AIR events would happen in cities all over the world!
If you are a web designer in or near Austin, Texas who wants to participate (corporate teams are welcomed!), or an artist, part of an arts organization, or a musician in or near Austin, Texas who would like to be included, please visit this web page for registration web page for registration information. Tell them Jayne sent ya!
Registration for Developer Teams ends on January 24, 2008.
