Call for Nominations for 2027 SIGACCESS/SIGCHI Vicki L. Hanson Award

About this call

The Vicki L. Hanson Award is presented jointly by SIGACCESS, the Special Interest Group on Accessible Computing, and SIGCHI, the Special Interest Group on Human-Computer Interaction, both within the Association for Computing Machinery. The award recognizes individuals whose body of work has demonstrably advanced the usability of technology for people with disabilities. It is named for Vicki L. Hanson, a pioneering figure in accessibility research, and its framing situates the honor as a marker of distinction within two of the most prominent communities in computing. Eligibility rests on the lasting impact of a body of work rather than on any single project. The call names research, development, advocacy, and mentorship as legitimate forms of contribution, with an explicit emphasis on work that bridges theory and practice. Recognition is conferred through the peer esteem of both Special Interest Groups, and selection is overseen by a jury of experts appointed by each. The recipient receives the distinction itself; the verified materials do not specify a monetary prize, travel support, or other tangible benefits, and these should not be assumed. The curatorial logic of the call is cumulative and relational: it asks not what a nominee has produced in a single season, but what sustained intellectual and practical effort has altered the terms on which people with disabilities encounter technology. The emphasis on the joint sponsorship of accessibility and interaction research signals an intention to honor work that moves between disciplinary boundaries.

How to apply