event info
Hack for Accessibility 2026
A full-day, multi-track hackathon co-hosted with Deaf Kids Code and AIxDisability where high schoolers, university learners, and professionals build accessibility-first solutions alongside disability community partners.
- Saturday, October 3, 2026
- McDonald's Global HQ, 110 N Carpenter St, Chicago, IL
- In person
- Registration August 4, 2026 – September 19, 2026
Looking for sponsors to help make this event possible, inclusive, and accessible! Reach out to brianne@codeyourdreams.org if you're interested in partnering with us.
Overview
Hack for Accessibility 2026 returns for its next chapter — this year hosted at McDonald's Global Headquarters in Chicago. Building on the success of Hack for Accessibility 2025 (300+ attendees, 243 participants, 30 project submissions, 12 nonprofit partners, 4.8/5 satisfaction), the event brings together three tracks — High School, Studying (university, college, community college, certificate programs, bootcamps), and Professional — to design technology with the disability community, not just for it.
Participants will collaborate directly with nonprofit partners at a resource fair, get matched with industry mentors, and present to a panel of expert judges. Awards are given in each track, plus the Ingenious Award in memory of a student.
We welcome participants and partners with lived experience across Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities, blindness and low vision, autism, ADHD, physical disabilities, craniofacial differences, cancer, and mental health.
theme
Accessibility & inclusive design — build with the community, not just for it.
Hack for Accessibility 2025, by the numbers
300+
attendees
243
participants
30
project submissions
12
nonprofit partners
4.8/5
satisfaction
Tracks
Pick the track that fits where you are right now — awards are given in each one.
High School
Students in high school.
Adult Learner / Studying
Colleges, certificate programs, bootcamps, adult classes, etc.
Professionals
Working professionals of any discipline.
Venue & getting there
McDonald's Global HQ
110 N Carpenter St, Chicago, IL 60607
Nine-story, 580,000 sq ft headquarters in Chicago's Fulton Market district, designed by Gensler.
Check-in
Check-in opens at 8:00 AM at the Front Reception Desk. Bring a photo ID — it's required for a visitor badge.
Upon arrival, please proceed to the front reception desk with your ID. Guest Experience Leaders will provide you with a visitor badge and answer questions about your visit. During your visit you're also welcome to stop by the Fan Store on the 2nd floor — your host can guide you there.
Driving & parking
- There is no dedicated visitor parking on the premises.
- Street parking is limited — allow extra time to find a spot nearby.
Public transit
- L Pink or Green Line to Morgan Street Station, then a 0.2 mile walk to 110 N Carpenter St.
- CTA Madison Bus (#20) to Madison & Aberdeen, then a 0.2 mile walk.
- CTA Halsted Bus (#8), drop off at Halsted & Washington, then a 0.4 mile walk.
Need a specific accommodation — interpreters, captioning, a quiet space, seating, or something else? Tell an organizer when you register so it's ready on the day.
Schedule
Exact times are still being finalized. The shape of the day looks like this:
Doors open & breakfast
8:00 AM · Check-in, resource fair preview.
Keynote & opening
9:00 AM · Welcome from hosts and community partners.
Team formation & hacking begins
10:00 AM · Mentors and partners on the floor.
Submissions due
3:30 PM · Upload final projects.
Judging
4:00 PM · Track winners and Ingenious Award.
Awards
5:30 PM · Celebrate winners and community partners.
Teams
- Hack solo or on a team — both are welcome.
- Teams are 4–6 people.
- Teams are pre-arranged by the event organizers.
Prizes & awards
High School Track
High School Track Winner
Top project from the high school track.
Studying Track
Studying Track Winner
Top project from university, college, community college, certificate, or bootcamp participants.
Professional Track
Professional Track Winner
Top project from professional participants.
Special
Ingenious Award
Awarded in memory of a student for the most creative, heartfelt solution.
How projects are judged
Impact
25%
Real-world value for the disability community.
Accessibility
25%
Quality of inclusive and accessible design choices.
Innovation
20%
Originality and creativity of the solution.
Execution
15%
Technical implementation and polish.
Presentation
15%
Clarity, story, and demo quality.
Code of conduct
Celebrate the community
Celebrate and honor the innovation, talent, and contributions of the disability communities and allies.
Respect and dignity
Treat all participants, organizers, and volunteers with respect and dignity, actively listening and asking questions thoughtfully.
Open collaboration
Collaborate openly and honestly, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone's voice and ideas are valued.
Respect ideas and people
Respect the ideas, efforts, and intellectual property of others, ensuring no discrimination or harassment of any kind.
Speak up
Report any inappropriate behavior or concerns promptly to event organizers.
Speakers, judges & mentors
Bri Caplan
Founder & CEO · Code Your Dreams
- judge
- speaker
Shireen Hafeez
Founder at Deaf Kids Code
- speaker
More speakers, judges, and mentors are being confirmed.
Hosts, sponsors & community partners
Hosts
Code Your DreamsCo-organizer
Deaf Kids CodeCo-organizer
AIxDisabilityCo-organizer
McDonald'sVenue host — McDonald's Global HQ, Chicago
A11y sponsors
Community partners from 2025 (2026 coming soon!)
Get involved
Registration and team tools live on CYD Hub. Before the day, warm up with the rest of this guidebook — accessibility basics, etiquette, a few signs, and project ideas.