Experts at EDF Energy in Barnwood are appealing for fellow techies to join them in helping students with disabilities.

The aim is to create innovative solutions for students at National Star, the college near Cheltenham which provides education, caring and training for young people with disabilities and learning difficulties.

EDF Energy is running a two day voluntary hackathon on June 8 and 9 at the college to help students with the problems they face on a daily basis.

This could be making it easier for them to interact with people in busy environments, prepare for their day, integrate into a team or control items around them in an office or home.

What if your experience in a wheelchair at a local coffee shop means you are not looked in the eye, you are overlooked or the barista speaks to your companion instead of you?

"This is a daily experience for many people with disabilities who use wheelchairs," explained Dave Stanley from EDF Energy Generation's Information Systems Innovation team. "What if a solution lies in a communication app or device which pushes a message to the barista's device to say you are there, how you like your drink and even what your name is? 

"That's one of the challenges we are aiming to tackle with the hackathon.

"The output from each team will be presented to a panel from National Star and EDF Energy with prizes awarded for creativity. Our solutions will then be made available for others to repeat wherever they are in the world."

If you would like to be involved contact the team at nationalstarhackathon@edf-energy.com