A challenger is someone from the local community who shares an unmet need related to a particular disability, with us. Students will work with challengers to design and develop a solution that meets their needs and improve quality of life.

A challenger can be any age and either:

• An individual living with a disability 

• Carers or family members

• Friends of advocates

• Representatives from charities or local organisations

Hackcessible aims to work with a diverse group of challengers. 

Disabilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Physical

• Sensory

• Intellectual or developmental

• Mental health-related

• Invisible or chronic illnesses

Your personal experience can inspire a student team to create a helpful solution that fits your needs and is easy to use.

If you would like to sign up as a challenger, please fill out this form: Challenge Proposal Form

Mentors are individuals who empower and support teams throughout the project. They are not expected to have all the answers, but are there to facilitate learning, encourage creativity and guide participants through problem-solving. They provide feedback, encourage effective teamwork and help teams stay realistic with their project scope and timeline.

We're looking for professionals and postgraduates to join us as a mentor. Expertise includes, but is not limited to engineering, design, product development, assistive tech, coding and occupational therapy.

If you would like to sign up as a mentor, please fill out this form: Become a Mentor

Rolling applications are currently open for students from the University of Sheffield interested in organising Hackcessible 2026. 

Updated information about available roles can be found in the application form:  Rolling Admin Team Applications

Financial sponsorship

Your financial support will directly fund our project as a whole, helping us cover operational costs as well as funding the individual teams' projects. 

In-kind donations

If you or your organisation can provide materials, components, or expertise, we would greatly appreciate it. Whether it’s hardware, design advice, or software support — every contribution matters!

Networking Opportunities

If you would like to engage with our participants, we are able to arrange workshops, guest talks, or site visits.

If you would like to support us in any way, please contact us via email and we will get back to you as soon as possible.