DXC Technology, a leading IT services company, and Human Age Institute, a foundation driven by ManpowerGroup, recently held the awards ceremony for the first edition of the App Accessibility Awards. These awards are aimed at professionals and students of all ages who have the ability to design technological applications that offer solutions to current issues affecting people with disabilities in their home, social, and educational environments.
Through this initiative, DXC and Human Age Institute demonstrate their social commitment to people with disabilities, a mission that has been evidenced over the years through various actions and collaborations to promote the employability of marginalized groups.
The jury for this first edition of the Accessibility Awards was composed of representatives from the Human Age Institute Foundation, DXC Technology, Fundación Amás, and Experis. Out of more than 475 applications received in this first edition of the App Accessibility Awards, only 33 advanced to the final evaluation stage.
The first prize, worth 5,000 euros, was awarded to “Comuni-Signo,” a project developed by Ignacio Benítez. The project aimed to break down barriers faced by individuals with hearing difficulties through an app that allows them to communicate effectively with professionals and essential services via video calls with sign language interpreters.
Additionally, the jury awarded the second and third prizes to “Harley” and “Mundo Accessible” (3,000 and 2,000 euros, respectively).
“Harley,” designed by Santiago Simón Santos, Ángel Simón Santos, Victoria Salinas Leonardo, and Pascual Ferrer Otín, is a solution that aims to support individuals on the autism spectrum in their daily lives. It utilizes AI-based tools to provide virtual digital assistants that assist users and their families in everyday scenarios.
“Mundo Accessible,” by Lidia Jiménez, is a technological solution for people with disabilities to have better access to cultural and leisure experiences. By offering detailed information about events and venues, it will help improve their quality of life and make them feel included in society.
“DXC Technology is fully committed to being an inclusive company and supporting people with disabilities. Our goal is to positively impact the lives of those in need,” said Juan Parra, President of DXC Technology Europe. “By rewarding technological projects that promote accessibility for these groups, we are not only innovating, but also building a more inclusive and equitable world for all. This initiative demonstrates our determination to build a society and a future where every individual has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their abilities.”
Furthermore, Human Age Institute Director Margarita Álvarez stated that the launch of this initiative “arose from Human Age Institute’s commitment to marginalized groups. Since our inception, we have developed programs to promote the employability of people with disabilities and facilitate their access to the world of work. Working alongside an essential ally like DXC Technology allows us to offer IT talent the opportunity to embark on projects for a better, inclusive, and diverse future.”
## A Purposeful Social Initiative
Traditionally, physical spaces and environments have been considered the main obstacles to accessibility. However, with the advancement of digitalization, it is crucial to also consider virtual and technological environments when providing accessibility to all citizens.
As part of the awards, DXC and the Human Age Institute, in collaboration with Fundación Amás and Once, published a report titled “Technology Serving a Marginalized Community.” The report examines how applications can enhance the daily lives of people with disabilities, based on a survey of the community, emphasizing that technology must be accessible and usable for everyone to reduce dependency and increase the autonomy of people with disabilities.
One key conclusion from the report is that 11% of people with disabilities state that application accessibility is still very limited today. As a result, they call for inclusive proposals in applications related to employment, physical exercise, nutrition, legal or financial procedures, public transportation, or access to public places.