- October 3 – October 4
- McDonald’s Global HQ, 1035 West Randolph Street, Chicago, IL, 60607, United States
Hack for Accessibility is back—and this year, we’re bringing together an incredible community at the Global McDonald’s Headquarters in Chicago!
Join Code Your Dreams, Deaf Kids Code, AIxDisability, and McDonald’s for a one-of-a-kind event centered on accessibility, disability inclusion, creativity, and technology.
Participants will collaborate in teams to develop ideas and solutions addressing real-world accessibility challenges. Throughout the event, teams will learn directly from disability advocates, community organizations, accessibility experts, and technology professionals.
No matter your level of technical experience, you belong here. You do not need to know how to code to participate. We need people with many different skills, perspectives, and lived experiences—including designers, storytellers, problem-solvers, researchers, advocates, educators, technologists, and community leaders.
Event Details
📅 Saturday, October 3, 2026
⏰ 8AM-6PM
📍 Global McDonald’s Headquarters
Hack for Accessibility includes dedicated participation tracks for:
🎓 High school students
🌱 Adult learners
💼 College students, professionals, and community members
Whether this is your first hackathon or your tenth, you are welcome. Teams will receive support throughout the experience, and no previous coding or hackathon experience is required.
What to Expect
✨ Collaborative, accessibility-focused challenges
✨ Opportunities to learn directly from disability leaders and organizations
✨ Mentorship from professionals across technology, design, accessibility, and other fields
✨ A creative and welcoming environment where every skill set can contribute
✨ Awards and prizes—including Grimace Crocs, gift cards, and more
✨ Opportunities to connect with people committed to building a more accessible future
Keynote Speaker: Clara Woods
We are honored to welcome globally recognized artist and disability advocate Clara Woods as our keynote speaker.
After experiencing a perinatal stroke, Clara was initially given a devastating prognosis. Although she cannot speak, read, or write, she understands three languages and communicates through vibrant, expressive artwork. Clara has shared her work and story around the world, inspiring others to recognize the creativity, intelligence, and potential of people with disabilities.
Why Hack for Accessibility Matters
Accessibility cannot be an afterthought—and disability communities must be included in shaping the technologies, products, and experience…
Listed by Cultural Access Collaborative. View details / register
About this event
Hack for Accessibility 2026 at McDonald’s Global HQ is featured on the Project Awaken Get Active calendar as part of accessible arts and theatre experiences — including ASL-interpreted, audio-described, and open-captioned performances — curated by the Cultural Access Collaborative. Project Awaken brings together listings from trusted Chicago-area partners so people with spinal cord injuries, mobility disabilities, and visual impairments can find welcoming ways to get active, connect with others, and try something new.
Events like this typically welcome participants of varying abilities along with their families, friends, sighted guides, and volunteers, and many are free to attend. If you are new to adaptive sports or recreation, it helps to reach out to the host organization ahead of time with any access questions, ask whether specialized equipment is provided, and bring a companion if that makes you more comfortable. Taking that first step — showing up, asking, trying — is what getting active is all about.
Please confirm the date, time, location, cost, and any registration requirements on the official event or organizer page before attending, as details can change. To find more opportunities, explore our full events calendar, browse Get Active grants and resources, or join the Get Connected peer-support community.
