Austin-Based Consulting Firm Takes Second in International Web Accessibility Competition

AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Technology consulting firm Microassist recently proved its chops in a specialized web development contest. That contest is the Open Accessibility Internet Rally, or OpenAIR, which focuses on creating sites accessible to individuals with disabilities. Microassist's three-person team placed second out of 30 teams from around the world.

Hosted by Austin nonprofit Knowbility, OpenAIR kicked off in October and concluded with an awards ceremony last week.  The annual event brings together web developers, designers, project managers and others in an interactive, weeks-long training event and friendly high-tech competition to develop professional websites for participating nonprofits. Sites are judged based on their ability to be perceived and usable by everyone, including those with vision, hearing, mobility or cognitive impairments.

Microassist's award-winning entry was a multi-page WordPress website for nonprofit 4Cs, Christian Churches Collaborating for Change. 4Cs works with families and individuals affected by incarceration. By using an open source content management product, the nonprofit will be able to independently manage the new site. Cognizant in India won first place in the professional track for their work for the Alpha to Omega Learning Centre, a nonprofit organization based in Singapore and India. Third place went to General Motors for their work on Austin German Shepherd Rescue. 

OpenAIR provides accessibility training and access to some of the best accessibility mentors in the world. This year, it also provided IBM's leading-edge accessibility testing tool, the Dynamic Assessment Plugin (DAP) to both professional level and university teams. 

Microassist, a custom training and application development company that creates accessible digital products, has placed in previous accessibility contests and was named Small Employer of the Year by the Austin Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities in 2012.  For more about Microassist and OpenAIR, visit the company website at www.microassist.com or email [email protected].

About Microassist: An Austin, Texas-based learning and development firm, Microassist creates, delivers, and hosts custom training, emphasizing online usability and accessibility. The company also develops ground-up online environments and provides digital remediation for websites, mobile apps, software platforms, electronic documents, and elearning platforms.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Vivian Cullipher
Microassist
512-794-8440
[email protected]

SOURCE Microassist