Announcing the first annual Thatcher Prize

Jim Thatcher was an early contributor and mentor to Knowbility programs. When he passed away in December of 2019, his family established a fund in Jim’s honor. They directed funds to be used to provide scholarships to the AccessU conference and to highlight the technology and engineering contributions of people like Jim whodeveloped software or applications to support digital inclusion for people with disabilities.

The annual $1500 prize will be awarded each year at AccessU. Nominations are now open for the 2021 award. Please read the brief criteria and then complete the form below to nominate yourself or someone else for the Thatcher prize.

The Thatcher Prize will be awarded to a person whose work has resulted in a technical advance in the development of a tool or tools that improve technology and information access and increase participation in learning, working, or civic engagement for people with disabilities.

Nomination Form

Your First Name Required

Your Last Name Required

Your Email Required

Your Phone Number

Self-Nomination

I nominate myself

Nominee

Nominee First Name

Nominee Last Name

Nominee Email

Nominee Phone Number

Please provide the following:

What is the technical advance?

What specifically does the tool do?

What disability or disabilities are served and how does this help? Why is it important?

How did the nominee contribute to its development?

Why is it important?

Please provide documentation: (website, patent information, promotional material, testimonials, etc)

Any other information you would like to provide?

Thanks for your interest, stay tuned for the announcement of the first year’s prize!