Austin-based nonprofit Knowbility, Inc. has signed on Deque Systems as a major sponsor for Open AIR, the worldwide web design competition benefitting people with disabilities and nonprofit organizations. Open AIR makes web sites accessible to people who are blind, hearing impaired, mobility impaired or who have other disabilities. The best web designs receive awards and international recognition. Participating nonprofits receive new, accessible web sites.

Deque Systems, Inc. is a leading provider of automated web accessibility software solutions. In addition to financial support, Deque will provide Open AIR site judges with access to the Worldspace Sync testing tool for evaluating accessibility. Knowbility is excited to welcome Deque CEO, Preety Kumar, to AIR’s panel of esteemed judges.

Knowbility, Inc. is a national leader in web accessibility whose mission is to support the independence of people with disabilities by promoting the use and improving the availability of accessible information technology.

Development teams, non-profits, individuals, and sponsors can register to participate in Open AIR at http://do.knowbility.org/v/open-air-registration/.

About Open AIR

Open AIR provides basic and advanced training in accessible web design and free web sites to nonprofit organizations. Development teams are given one month to code, then come together on Rally Day (November 17^th) to finish their sites in a high-energy environment. Sites are judged based on accessibility, usability, design and use of media. Teams will compete in regions, with the top-ranked sites of each region moving on to a second round of judging and awards presented at a SXSW event. The first place team will win tickets to SXSW Interactive 2014!

The last day for team registration is October 1, 2012, and nonprofit/development team matches will be announced at the Kick Off, held October 17th. Training for both teams and non-profit organizations, which are essential to participants getting the best experience possible, is available online, on-demand.

The registration fee for development teams is $100 (team of four). Individuals who may not have teams – web designers, project managers, graphic artists and content developers – can register and be placed on a rally team. Registration fee for non-profit organizations is also $100. Participating nonprofits receive a professionally-built accessible website.

To learn more about the AIR program, visit http://do.knowbility.org/air or contact Ella Jane Moore, Community Programs Manager, at ella.jane@knowbility.org.

About Deque Systems

Deque Systems - http://www.deque.com/ - provides automated testing for web accessibility, along with consulting and training services, to make corporate and government web sites accessible to people with disabilties and compliant with federal and state accessibility guidelines.