The Inclusive App Accelerator is an administrative hub for app engineering and development that provides funding and support for the creation of Android/iOS applications that enhance the independence and autonomy of individuals with various disabilities. Each year, we will be supporting several awardees to develop and distribute mobile apps that accomplish this goal.
Project Goals
Our primary goal is to develop and distribute at least 20 mobile apps over five years averaging four mobile applications per year.
We are committed to a development process that prioritizes user-centered, accessibility-first design principles while embracing an iterative approach that ensures continuous improvement and responsiveness to user feedback. Our framework ensures that our project and apps remain adaptable and relevant, addressing current needs while anticipating and adapting to future technological advancements.
U.S.-based organizations and individuals with mobile app innovations designed for use among persons with disabilities are invited to submit an application.
-
- Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, academic institutions, industry professionals, persons with disabilities, family members, clinicians, and others committed to using inclusive design processes in collaboration with persons with disabilities and IAA. (See Awardee Responsibilities on page 3 of this announcement)
- Proposed apps must be designed for direct use by persons with disabilities to support their health and function, community living and participation, or employment. Apps designed solely for caregiver or service provider use are not eligible.
- Coding experience is not required. Our IAA development partner will lead accessible, user-centered app design and development, including the use of no-code/low-code tools where appropriate.
- Applicants with internal development resources are also welcome to apply. These teams may complete some or all development work themselves and may receive support from the IAA development partner for UX/UI design, accessibility review, usability feedback, or technical guidance.
- All awardees, whether using IAA development support or internal developers, must participate in IAA-led accessibility, user-testing, and inclusive design activities to ensure consistency across projects.
- If the proposed app relies on machine learning or AI algorithms, these models must be already validated and ready for integration at the time of submission, as the project timeline may not allow time for model development.
Selected applicants, referred to as “Awardees“, will receive support from two dedicated teams: the App Development Team, which will manage or support the technical aspects of development, and the Business Support Team, which will assist with commercialization and sustainability. Awardees will also collaborate directly with target consumers with disabilities to create user-centered solutions. Awardees will collaborate with the App Development Team and Business Support Team to publish their app within one year following their admission to the program. Throughout each stage of the process, you will work closely with both teams to ensure effective app development and deployment. The stages are as follows:
Stage 1: Define the Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
Stage 2: Build, Test, and Refine the MVP
Stage 3: Launch and Marketing
-
Awardeeswill be responsible for the following tasks with the support of the two teams:
- Completing Idea 2 IMPACT: An Introduction to Translating Assistive Health Technologies and Other Products” on Coursera from NIDILRR’s IMPACT Center within 1st month of entering accelerator if not completed during application process. This course is mandatory for all Awardees and forms the foundation for the required pitch deck. Completion within the designated timeline is necessary to maintain program eligibility.
- Gathering and analyzing user requirements to guide the collaborative definition of the MVP with the target consumers with disabilities, the App Development Team, and Business Support Team
- Testing of app prototypes with target consumers with disabilities to assess functionality and usability, and providing feedback to the App Development Team for improvements
- Developing and refining an app business plan to ensure the app’s long-term feasibility and sustainability. Participation in business planning activities, guided by the Business Support Team, is mandatory. Awardees must complete the required worksheets, planning tools, and assigned tasks.
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive marketing strategy to maximize visibility, app adoption, and user engagement. Participation in business planning activities, guided by the Business Support Team, is mandatory. Awardees must complete the required worksheets, planning tools, and assigned tasks.
- Monitoring and reporting key usage metrics such as downloads, user retention, and user reviews to assess the app’s impact and make necessary strategic adjustments or refinements. These metrics will be reported at least twice a year post-launch through August 2029
- Acknowledging support from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) and the Inclusive App Accelerator in the app’s description on relevant marketplaces and within the app itself
- Creating and managing your own Apple App Store and Google Play Store developer accounts
- Participation in the Inclusive App Accelerator requires engagement in both technical development and business development activities. Awardees must attend scheduled check-ins, complete required coursework, and submit business and marketing deliverables on time.
The Business Support Team, from the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) will be responsible for the following tasks:
- Serving as the project manager to ensure smooth communication and collaboration between the App Development Team and Awardees
- Assisting Awardees in defining their app’s MVP by introducing the Lean Startup Model and discovery workshops engaging with target consumers with disabilities throughout the customer development process
- Conducting required scheduled check-ins with Awardees throughout all stages of development. The check-ins are mandatory and designed to proactively support progress, identify challenges, and ensure program alignment for the app’s success.
- Providing guidance to support Awardees in developing and refining a business plan to ensure the app’s long-term feasibility and sustainability by providing relevant resources and one-on-one consultation
- Providing support on conducting app testing among target consumers with disabilities and interpreting results at various stages of development as needed
- Assisting Awardees in developing and implementing a comprehensive marketing strategy to maximize visibility, app adoption, and engagement among target consumers with disabilities
- Collaborating with Awardees to develop and implement an app adoption assessment plan, monitoring key metrics such as downloads, user retention, and reviews to evaluate the app’s impact and determine necessary strategic adjustments or refinements
The App Development Team, is a professional software company specializing in inclusive app development. They will be responsible for, or consulted on, the following tasks:
- Providing coaching and feedback to help the Awardee’s define their app’s MVP
- Offering UX (User Experience)/UI (User Interface) support
- Developing the MVP by collaborating with the IAA Awardee
- Assisting the IAA Awardee in conducting testing of the app with target consumers with disabilities, fixing bugs, and providing feedback on the feasibility of identified areas of improvement and additional features
- Coordinating with a third-party provider to conduct a comprehensive accessibility audit and resolving identified accessibility issues
- Coordinating with a third-party provider to assess app accessibility and usability with persons who use different assistive devices for phone access, and fixing any critical issues found during the remediation period. Other issues, like suggestions or improvements, can be addressed by the Awardees in future updates to the app
- Providing coding support for each app for 1-year post launch, focusing exclusively on operating system updates. Awardees have the option to enter separate contracts with the App Development Team for further support or continuous feature development
Applicants may request up to $10,000 to support project activities beyond core app development. This may include:
- Time and effort for gathering user feedback and conducting user testing at various stages
- Business planning, marketing, and outreach
- Costs associated with participant or advisory reimbursements
- Ongoing app operating expenses
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | December 1st, 2025 |
| Application Deadline | February 15, 2026, by 23:59:59 EST |
| Notification to Awardees | April 1st, 2026 |
| Anticipated IAA Program Start Date* | May 1st, 2026 |
* Note: This does not necessarily mean you will begin working on your application on that date. Team start times will be staggered to ensure each team receives the full focus of or collaborating organizations.
Click below to download the full application guide including detailed scoring criteria.
(The guide is available in both Word and PDF formats through the buttons below.)
The application must be submitted via the online portal below by 23:59 EST on February 15, 2026.
If you have any questions regarding the application process and eligibility,
please email us at info@inclusiveapps.com
FAQ
- If prior work has been completed, do we need to provide an example? If prior work has been completed, please upload any visual examples of existing work, images or supporting documents of the solution mentioned in 5b.
- Are references required? If you have any references, you may provide them in the last field of the application. We encourage references that support the problem you are trying to solve and your work.
- Does the application have a word count? There is no word count on the application; we encourage answers to directly address the questions asked in each field.
- Can an applicant be listed on more than one proposal?Yes an applicant can be included on more than one proposal.