ArcTouch to lead development for Pitt's Inclusive App Accelerator

At ArcTouch, we believe digital technology should be accessible to everyone. That's why we're excited to share some details of our partnership with the University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) on the groundbreaking Inclusive App Accelerator (IAA) program. This initiative, funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), aims to empower individuals with disabilities by fostering the creation of up to 20 accessible and user-friendly mobile apps over the next five years.

The IAA program is a collaborative effort between academic researchers, app developers, disability advocates, and accessibility experts, focused on developing apps that address the specific needs of people with disabilities in three key areas: health and function, community living and participation, and employment. The program brings ArcTouch and the Pitt team together with a remarkable group of partners representing a range of disability interest groups, accessibility experts, and technologists, including World Institute on Disability, United Spinal Association, Perkins School for the Blind’s Howe Innovation Center, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) Foundation, NIDILRR’s IMPACT Center, Allyant, Fable, and FlutterFlow.

ArcTouch is proud to lead the development efforts for this important initiative, working with innovators on up to four apps per year for the five-year program duration. Our team of experienced developers will collaborate closely with selected applicants to bring their innovative app ideas to life. We'll leverage our expertise in accessible app development, incorporating feedback from users with disabilities during the process, and ensuring each app meets or exceeds standards and best practices of usability and accessibility.

Here's how ArcTouch will contribute to the IAA program:

• App development and iterative testing: We'll use FlutterFlow, a modern low-code development platform to create user-friendly and accessible mobile apps. Our process includes partnerships with Fable and Allyant to integrate user feedback from individuals with disabilities, ensuring both standards conformance and real-world usability. We'll also provide one year of maintenance support following each app's launch.

• Technical support and training: We'll collaborate with the Pitt team to develop support and training materials on using FlutterFlow specifically for accessible app development. 

• Enhancing accessibility support in LCNC platforms: Working with Allyant, we'll provide feedback to FlutterFlow on enhancing their support for key accessibility features, empowering more individuals with disabilities to build their own apps themselves.

• Review panel participation: ArcTouch's head of accessibility, Ben Ogilvie, will serve on the review panel for app proposals and steer the ongoing app development partnership.

"This project is particularly meaningful because it offers a unique opportunity to build apps specifically tailored to the needs of the disability community," says Ogilvie. "These apps will directly address critical gaps in access to technology. And by improving the accessibility of low-code platforms, we’ll empower a wide variety of future creators to bring their own ideas to market themselves."

Submit an app idea to the IAA 

To learn more about the IAA program or to submit an app idea, visit the Inclusive Apps website. 

ArcTouch’s commitment to digital accessibility

At ArcTouch, we're passionate about building technology that works for everyone. We believe that today’s business case for accessibility-first design and development is unbeatable. Contact us today for a free accessibility review of your existing mobile app.