Prize money for apps for underserved communities
Dave Bilgray
There's a competition, with cash prizes, co-sponsored by the Federal
Communications Commission, for developing "apps that reach and engage
traditionally underserved communities -- people with disabilities,
seniors, and those whose first language is not English". Text is below.
The linked webpage says the apps must use open source licenses, and
data must be publically available. The emphasis is obviously on
keeping costs down, considering the target audiences.
I don't know any more than what's described here. I got it from the
listserv of a usability group in the SF Bay Area, where I used to live.
Lots of links at the end of the text.
Passing it along.
Dave
> >
> > Knight Foundation and FCC Announce New Apps Contest To Bring Local
> > Information To Underserved Communities
> >
> > On April 14, in Oakland California, Chairman Genachowski announced
> > that the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") is co-sponsoring
> > a nationwide contest to develop software applications ("apps") that
> > get personalized, actionable information to people least likely to
> > take advantage of the digital revolution. We wanted to reach out to
> > you to let you know of this new FCC initiative. Attached is a news
> > release and Chairman Genachowski's prepared remarks. We hope you
> > will be able to share this with your network to get out the word
> > about this contest.
> >
> > KNIGHT FOUNDATION AND FCC ANNOUNCE NEW APPS CONTEST TO BRING LOCAL
> > INFORMATION TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES
> >
> > Washington, D.C. - In a new, nationwide contest announced today,
> > communities and software developers will compete to develop software
> > applications ("apps") that get personalized, actionable information
> > to people least likely to take advantage of the digital revolution.
> >
> > The Apps for Communities Challenge is part of the FCC and the John
> > S. and James L. Knight Foundation's efforts to foster digital
> > inclusion and promote broadband adoption. Details are posted at
> > Appsforcommunities.challenge.gov.
> >
> > Surrounded by Mayor Jean Quan of Oakland, Mayor Ed Lee of San
> > Francisco and Mayor Chuck Reed of San Jose, FCC Chairman Julius
> > Genachowski announced the contest. "This challenge uses the power of
> > broadband and the ingenuity of creative thinkers across America to
> > help advance our country's broadband agenda," said Chairman
> > Genachowski. "I expect we'll see great new apps that use public
> > data to help people all over the country seize the broadband
> > revolution and improve their access to jobs, health care and
> > educational opportunities."
> >
> > "In the digital age, access to the Internet is fundamental to
> > democracy. To the extent that a large portion of Americans have no
> > broadband access, they can't fully participate in this society and
> > they also can't become part of the demand that will drive further
> > innovation. We are proud to partner with the FCC in an effort to
> > increase access to the Internet for all Americans and to entice them
> > to actively use that access," said Alberto Ibarg|en, president and
> > CEO of Knight Foundation. He added, "Contests can promote
> > innovation in all sorts of unexpected ways. This particular
> > challenge is designed to encourage and reward people for solving
> > local problems through technology. 'Tech-for-engagement' is in its
> > infancy but holds huge promise."
> >
> > The Apps for Communities Challenge seeks to take advantage of the
> > local, public information coming online - on topics from education
> > to health care, child care, government services and jobs - and make
> > it easily accessible to the public. Contestants will be asked to
> > turn that information into content, apps and services that expand
> > people's choices on critical issues. These apps could, for example,
> > give people valuable information about their communities in an
> > easily digestible graphic on their mobile devices; help seniors,
> > immigrants, and others use tools such as Skype to communicate; allow
> > consumers to choose a health care provider; or deliver contract and
> > seasonal job post alerts in English and Spanish via text message.
> >
> > Knight Foundation is offering $100,000 dollars in prizes, with
> > additional prizes awarded to the best apps that reach and engage
> > traditionally underserved communities-people with disabilities,
> > seniors, and those whose first language is not English.
> >
> > The Apps for Communities Challenge is posted on Challenge.gov, a new
> > website and digital platform where entrepreneurs, innovators and
> > citizen solvers can compete for prizes by providing novel solutions
> > to problems large and small. The challenge can be found
>athttp://appsforcommunities.challenge.gov/
> > . Check out the FCC's blog also
>athttp://beta.fcc.gov/blog/apps-communities
> >
> > The links below are to the New Release on Apps for Communities:
> > http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-305781A1.doc
> > http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-305781A1.pdf
> > http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-305781A1.txt
> >
> > The links below are to Chairman Genachowski Prepared Remarks for
> > Apps for Communities Launch Event:
> > http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-305783A1.doc
> > http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-305783A1.pdf
> > http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-305783A1.txt
>_______________________________________________