The winners of this years’ AbilityNet Tech4Good Awards include an app that makes shopping easier for blind people, AI-powered research into rare diseases and a new way for adults and children to publish their own storybooks. Sponsored by brands such as BT, Comic Relief, Google, Lenovo and Microsoft the Awards celebrate and support people using tech to make the world a better place.
One of the winners is NaviLens, an app that combines a computer vision algorithm with a cutting-edge graphic device that helps visually impaired people. As well as winning this year’s Accessibility Award Navilens also celebrated last week when Kellogs announced that the Navilens codes will be added to all its breakfast cereal boxes.
Other winners include African Storybook Maker, a free easy-to-use App which enables adults and children to create, publish and share their own storybooks in a language of their choice. With a platform of over 2,000 unique storybooks this is a ground-breaking initiative giving African children the opportunity to learn to read in their own languages.
Winning the Workplace Inclusion Award, eWorker’s Black in Tech programme promotes exceptional black talent into opportunities with world-class companies. They help to remove the friction from hiring and help companies identify untapped talent.
As well as winning a trophy made form recycle tech every winner is supported by Tech4Good Awards team to reach their full potential. This includes networking with other winners and finalists, crowdfunding programmes and mentorship from industry leaders who make up the judging panel.
AbilityNet Head of Marketing and Communications, Mark Walker, who commented:
“Congratulations to all the winners and finalists – every year we’re overwhelmed by the response to the awards, and this year is no different. The selection process was a difficult task as we’ve had such strong entrants and finalists.”
“Each of our winners is making the world a more accessible, inclusive and better place through the power of technology – this is anything and everything from the innovative use of AI to community programmes.”
“I can’t wait to see how the winners develop their projects and creations over the next year, with the help of our Tech4Good team providing guidance along the way.”
The AbilityNet Tech4Good Awards 2021 winners:
ACCESSIBILITY AWARD, sponsored by Google
- WINNER: NaviLens
- HIGHLY COMMENDED: TranscribeGlass
AI FOR GOOD AWARD
- WINNER: Healx
- HIGHLY COMMENDED: Sepsis Trust & Accenture
ARTS & CULTURE AWARD, sponsored by iDiversity Consulting
- WINNER: Prescribe Culture
- HIGHLY COMMENDED: Yodomo
COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD, sponsored by Good Things Foundation
- WINNER: N-Compass Digital Carers Support
DIGITAL VOLUNTEER AWARD, sponsored by Do IT
- WINNER: Pat Maskell
- HIGHLY COMMENDED: Jordan Pearson
EDUCATION AWARD, sponsored by Lenovo
WINNER: African Storybook Maker
HIGHLY COMMENDED: I Learn From Home (Seenaryo)
TECH4GOOD FOR AFRICA AWARD, sponsored by Comic Relief
WINNER: Peek
HIGHLY COMMENDED: iJusticeHub
SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
WINNER: Carbosoil
WORKPLACE INCLUSION AWARD, sponsored by Microsoft
- WINNER: Black in Tech
YOUNG PIONEER AWARD, sponsored by BT
- WINNER: FrankEinstein
- HIGHLY COMMENDED: Green Food Score
TECH4GOOD PEOPLE’S AWARD, sponsored by Crowdfunder.co.uk
- WINNER: Girls into Coding