AccessiRide Hackathon Win

October 11th, 2025 by Michelle Star

Project Brief

AccessiRide is a multimodal platform across app, website, and phone call that aggregates wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV) options across all transit providers and, using an AI agent, contacts providers by phone or email to retrieve fare estimates, availability, and coverage zones for users. We built it to reduce the time, effort, and communication burden placed on disabled riders.

  • Event: Wireless Innovation Hackathon for Accessibility
  • Role: Team lead
  • Outcome: First Place, $1,500 prize
  • Follow-on: ↠ Entered in the Kuzneski Innovation Cup for mentorship and funding.
    ↠ Invited by the University of Pittsburgh School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences to apply for grant support to integrate AccessiRide into patient transportation workflows.
    ↠ Showcasing as Higher Ed Student Spotlight at The Global Impact Forum.
    ↠ Ongoing research in interviewing about user needs from the disability community and integrating with current WAV companies.

Winners Announcement in News Letter

SmartTech article screenshot: DevDash team wins; quote from Michelle Star about HCI and assistive technology. View article ↗

The Problem

When Monica, a woman with cerebral palsy, told me that booking a simple taxi requires her to spend hours contacting companies at least three days in advance. All this work only to face frequent misunderstandings due to her speech impediment, unclear pricing, or being told they don’t serve the area she needs. Even the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences told us that the number one reason patients with disabilities miss appointments is the not being able to find accessible transportation.
I couldn’t help but think there has to be a better way. For able-bodied people, getting a ride is effortless, with countless options available at any time and everything clearly laid out. Thats why we thought of a realistic tech solution using the current infrastructure, that really should’ve been made years ago.

What We Built

Judges session

  • AccessiRide works as an app, website, or (for people without a smart phone) phone line.
  • Tell the AI agent where you need to go and it automatically returns transportation option and reaches out to wheelchair accessible transit providers via phone or email, asks standardized questions, and returns fairs, times, and offers the option to book.
  • The app is accessibility friendly with screenreaders and meets WCAG and ADA standards. It seemlessly provides all options into one view so riders can compare quickly.

Watch the Demo Video

Watch on YouTube ↗

Try the Prototype

AccessiRide

Multimodal platform for wheelchair-accessible rides. Built at the Wireless Innovation Hackathon.

Open Website ↗

What’s Next

  • Chosen to showcase as Higher Ed Spotlight at the The Global Impact Forum
  • Compete at the Kuzneski Innovation Cup to secure mentorship and funding.
  • Apply for grants through Pitt SHRS.
  • User research and interviewing both potential users and WAV companies.

Team photo

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Monica for trusting us with her story and guiding our design, to the hackathon organizers and judges, and to mentors who supported follow-on efforts through the Kuzneski Innovation Cup and Pitt SHRS.