Hackathon Organizer Guide
  • Introduction
  • overview
    • What is a Hackathon?
    • What is MLH?
    • MLH Hackcon
    • MLH Community Values
    • Event Types
      • Digital Events
        • Digital Mini Events
          • Marble Races
          • Pokemon Showdown
          • Wiki Races
          • Hacker Hangouts
        • Streamyard
  • General Information
    • Hackathon Timeline
    • Finding the Date and Purpose
    • Build Your Leadership Team
    • Locking Down a Venue
    • Hackathon Budgeting
      • Legal Considerations
    • Getting Sponsorship
      • Introduction to Fundraising
      • Understanding Your Sponsors
        • Evaluating In-kind Sponsorships
      • Potential Sponsor Perks
      • Sponsorship Prospectus
      • The 5-Step MLH Sponsorship Process
      • Cheat Sheet: Emailing Your Sponsors
    • Hackathon Website
      • Making an Accessible Design
      • Placeholder Website
      • Main Website
    • Marketing Your Event
      • Promoting Your Event
        • Marketing Email Template
      • Marketing Goals & Timelines
    • Managing Registrations
      • Registrations
      • Free Registration Tool - OrganizerHQ (OHQ)
      • Sending Reminders
        • Email Templates
      • Check-in Process
    • Event Logistics
      • Hackathon Communication Platform
      • Project Challenges
      • Ordering Swag and Prizes
      • Set Up Your Event
      • Working with Food Vendors
      • Hosting Hackers with Dietary Restrictions
      • Distributing Meals
      • Transportation/Travel Plans
      • Hardware
      • Prepare Your Emergency Plan
    • Judging and Submissions
      • Rules for Your Hackathon
      • Judging Plan
      • Cheating Check
      • Judges Communication and Recruiting
      • Hackathon Submission Portal
        • Using Devpost
        • Using Devfolio
        • Using DoraHacks
    • Hackathon Scheduling
      • Detailed Run of Show
      • Run-Through with the Team
      • MLH Tips and Templates
    • Mentorship
    • Day of Logistics and Hacker Experience
      • Help Desk Recommendations
      • Fun Mini Events
      • Workshops
      • Opening Ceremony
      • Closing Ceremony
    • After the Event
  • Organizer Resources
    • Template Links
    • Getting Support from Others
    • Leadership Resources
    • Marketing Resources
    • Registrations Resources
      • GDPR in Europe
    • Host Exciting Mini-Events
      • Cup Stacking
      • MLH Mini Events
        • WereWolf
        • Slideshow Karaoke
        • !Light
        • MS Paint Bob Ross
    • Keeping Records
    • Software for Hackathons
  • Contributors
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  1. General Information
  2. Hackathon Website

Making an Accessible Design

Things to consider when choosing your designs

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Last updated 2 months ago

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Creating a brand guideline and design theme for your hackathon can be one of the most rewarding ways to get your hackers excited for your event.

Your design is only as impactful as how accessible and recognizable it is to your hackers. Coming up with your hackathon's website and brand identity always starts with accessibility. Fortunately, there are many public resources that streamline the process of checking for and implementing web and visual accessibility measures. We've compiled a list of some of the most relevant ones below.

  • Web Accessibility

    • ADA Compliance Across the Web -

    • How to Evaluate Web Accessibility -

    • Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (v2.2) -

  • Visual Accessibility

    • Testing Text Size and Color -

    • Accessibility 101: Color Contrast -

    • Color Contrast and Visual Design Guidelines -

    • Color Checker -

    • Another Color Contrast option -

A bonus of building your web and design foundations on top of accessibility considerations is avoiding common pitfalls later on. Simplifying your design by cutting out visually complex details and using contrasting colors will make swag production and publicity much cheaper and easier.

Finally, your design should express how memorable and unique your event is. Pick a visual motif and color palette that can be reused from year to year to maintain the continuity of your event! Using a fun mascot and cohesive gradient creates an engaging website that you can also tie in with your in person decorations.

https://www.ada.gov/resources/web-guidance/
https://www.w3.org/WAI/test-evaluate/#initial
https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG22/
https://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/
https://cultureconnectme.com/color/
https://accessibility.digital.gov/visual-design/color-and-contrast/
https://coolors.co/contrast-checker
https://randoma11y.com/