Volunteer Teams from Convio Win First and Second Prizes in AIR Interactive Competition

Austin, Texas (December 22, 2009) —

Two Convio volunteer teams, each comprised of four interactive design and development specialists, won prizes in this year's AIR (Accessibility Internet Rally) Interactive Competition. Convio's teams competed against eight other experienced web teams to design accessible, highly interactive websites for Austin-area nonprofit organizations. The AIR-Austin Rally was held in November.

In the Stockcar Category, first prize was awarded to a team comprised of Convio’s Noah Cooper, Tracy Davis, April Davis, and Robin Anderson. This group of interactive specialists created a site for Lifelong Friends Pet Adoptions, a Texas-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing safe haven and finding permanent homes for abandoned and abused animals. The site can be viewed at: http://www.kjc-designs.com/lifelongfriends/

“We were impressed that the team created such a professional and accessible website in such a short period of time,” said Janet Cain, Vice President of Lifelong Friends Pet Adoptions. “It’s now much easier for visitors to understand our mission and find the information they are looking for as soon as they arrive on our homepage. We are confident that this improved design will boost adoptions, donations, and volunteerism.”

Another Convio team, consisting of Shara Kilarski, Ken Cantu, Nick Bartkowiak, and Rob Jones, won second prize in the Formula One category for their work with the Clifton Career Development School, a nonprofit dedicated to providing students with disabilities quality instruction in areas of trade career and technical education. The site can be viewed at http://ouroborosproject.com/

The accessible design competition is a central initiative of Knowbility, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1999 in Austin, Texas, to raise awareness and rally communities to support the independence of children and adults with disabilities by promoting the use and improving the availability of accessible information technology.
“These two prizes are a testament not only to the calibre and expertise of our employees, but also to their commitment to the nonprofit sector,” said Marc Cannon, Vice President, Services of Convio. "Our services team has many talented members who are eager to use their knowledge and skills to make online information accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. We are proud that their efforts will benefit not only website visitors, but also the nonprofits themselves."

Produced in Austin since 1998, and replicated in cities throughout the country, AIR is nationally recognized for excellence and innovation for engaging communities in Web accessibility issues through its fun, friendly web design competition. The AIR program has long-term results and provides benefits for the whole community. Web developers learn about how and why to create accessible online applications and then apply their new skills by creating an accessible Web site that is reviewed by national accessibility experts.

Press Contact:
Karoline McLaughlin
Director, Corporate Communications
Convio, Inc.
kmclaughlin@convio.com
512-652-7865