Apps For All Winners Announced
3 September 2015 at 11:40 am
The creators of accessible apps targeted at Australians who are at risk of being left behind in the digital revolution, including the elderly and people with disability, have received an award from the peak communications consumer organisation.
The winners of the second Apps for All Challenge were announced at the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) National Conference from four categories.
The most accessible mainstream app was awarded to RentRight, a free app from Consumer Affairs Victoria that has information and tools to help landlords in Victoria manage their properties, and renters manage their tenancies.
The most innovative app designed for people with disability or older Australians was awarded to NRS app from National Relay Service, which provides users mobile access to a range of services.
The most accessible children’s app was awarded to Thread, from the Carly Ryan Foundation, which gives parents discreet contact with their children when they are not in a supervised environment while also teaching children about personal safety.
While the most accessible game app was awarded to Rapitap, from 22 Point, a short fast-paced game testing response time with multi levels of difficulty.
ACCAN said the winning apps were chosen for their ability to be used by the most people possible without the need for modification, as well as ease of use, market gap, value for money, universal design and availability.
Every minute 47,000 apps are downloaded worldwide, but ACCAN said millions of Australians may be missing out if apps are not accessible.
“We’re really pleased to be able to run a competition that awards developers who have made sure their apps include all Australians,” ACCAN CEO, Teresa Corbin said.
“Smartphones and tablets are a huge part of our everyday lives, no consumers should be left out of the digital revolution as the world becomes increasingly mobile.”
ACCAN said accessibility was not only crucial for the almost one in five Australians living with some form of disability, but it also meant developers could target millions more customers who were previously locked out of the app market.
The Winner of each category received a cash prize from Telstra as well as promotion through Telstra’s social media platforms.
“‘Apps for All’ means more Australians will be able to take advantage of the possibilities of the digital world,” Executive Director of Telstra Country Wide, Andrew Coull said.
ACCAN said in honouring Australia's most accessible apps they hoped it would encourage Australian developers to be world leaders in accessible mobile technology.
