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Accessibility Internet Rally (AIR)

AIR is our central initiative for raising awareness and rallying communities around the powerful idea of IT inclusion! Produced in Austin since 1998, and replicated in cities throughout the country, AIR is nationally recognized for excellence and innovation for engaging communities in web accessibility issues through a fun, friendly web design competition. The AIR program has long-term results and provides benefits for the whole community. Web developers learn about how and why to create accessible online applications and then apply their new skills by creating an accessible website that is reviewed by national accessibility experts.

Community Rallies

Led by the local technology leaders of a targeted community, AIR challenges local teams of web professionals to learn about accessibility through a series of training and networking activities. Once they are trained in accessibility tools and techniques, the web teams are matched to a local nonprofit agency in need of web development assistance. After a 10-day planning period, the teams and their nonprofit "clients" all assemble for one high-energy work day in which the new, accessible web sites are finalized. An expert panel of judges review the resulting entries and determine winners, who are recognized at a high-profile awards party.

Community Rallies are held annually in Austin and Houston, Texas and have been produced in Dallas, Denver and San Francisco. A modified community AIR program is held each year in conjunction with the SXSW Interactive Media Conference. AIR-Interactive focuses on arts organizations, encourages accessible development of sophisticated multimedia applications, and extends the time allotted to development teams to build their entries. To learn more about how you can participate in the fun of a community rally, or to bring a rally to your city, please follow the links to visit the AIR-San Antonio, AIR-Boston, AIR-Austin, AIR-Interactive, or AIR-Houston sections of this web site or contact us to plan a rally in your own community.