AIR Is Moving to Spring — and It’s Better Than Ever
Accessibility Internet Rally (AIR)

After 25+ years, we’re making the biggest structural change to AIR yet. Starting in 2027, the competition runs from January through May, culminating in an awards ceremony at AccessU (our annual accessibility conference) where your work gets the spotlight it deserves.

This isn’t just a calendar shift. We’ve used this transition to rethink and upgrade almost every part of the program, from how developer teams are matched to the support available for nonprofits from day one.

The Accessibility Internet Rally (AIR) started in 1998 as a one-day, in-person hackathon. Today, it’s a global, eight-week online competition that unites people from around the world to build a better, more inclusive web. AIR teaches participants how to design websites that are accessible to everyone—especially people with disabilities.

AIR doesn’t just teach accessibility. It creates advocates for digital inclusion—among developers and the nonprofits they support. Long after the competition ends, participants become ambassadors for accessibility, helping to shape a more equitable digital world.

Every year, AIR transforms digital spaces by launching dozens of inclusive websites—and you can be part of that change.

We’re updating our training curriculum to reflect how people actually build for the web today, including AI-assisted development and vibe coding approaches alongside the accessibility fundamentals AIR has always been known for. You’ll leave this competition more skilled than you came in.

In addition, we’ve revamped the matching process so individuals seeking teams are paired with teammates whose skills complement yours — not just whoever’s available. Whether you specialize in front-end development, content strategy, or QA, you’ll be matched intentionally.

And when it’s over? Your team’s work is showcased and profiled throughout AccessU, where you’ll celebrate alongside accessibility professionals, researchers, and practitioners from across the industry. It’s real recognition, in a room full of people who understand what you built.

The spring cycle means registration opens in September — right when end-of-year giving campaigns are ramping up. That matters, because your organization can direct charitable gifts toward your AIR participation fees. Plan ahead and let your community help you show up.

You’ll also get access to new optional training sessions we’re adding this year:

And if your organization doesn’t have web hosting? We’ll cover one year of free hosting so the site your team builds has a real home.

Whether you’re a developer ready to put your skills to work or a nonprofit looking for a meaningful digital upgrade, AIR 2027 has more to offer than ever before.