Nokia partners with RNIB for Do Good mission; calls for developers to help those with impaired vision

In an interesting twist to the Nokia Create program for developers, the company is tasking Windows Phone developers with a mission dedicated to the idea of "Doing Good." Partnering with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Nokia is calling for developers to create new apps that will help make the lives of those with low vision easier; or update their existing content to make it more accessible.

So how can developers work with features to help those with impaired vision? An example may be an app that provide vibration feedback or audio descriptions of the view from the camera. Apps submitted can be within any of the eight current Nokia Create contest categories. The only difference is you're working to help others with your work. As for updating previous apps, simple changes like contrast and font sizes can make a massive difference.

RNIB will be serving as judges, alongside Nokia for the best apps in the Do Good mission. Why should you be interested? As well as helping people with impaired vision out and making their lives better through technology, you'll also be in with a chance of bagging a trip to Mobile World Congress 2014, along with an expense-paid trip for two to the 29th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference in San Diego, California.

The winning app will be showcased that the event. Both the winner and runners up will receive a free UX consultation to help create the best possible app experience for consumers. The catch? All apps submitted to the Do Good portion of Nokia Create must be in the Windows Phone Store by December 15th. 

Even if you're not looking to create an app to help out, it's certainly something to consider. If this mission wasn't enough, Nokia has also opened two more of its six mini-missions. One for Maps and Places and the other for Nokia Music. Entries must be in the Windows Phone Store by October 31st. 

Check out Nokia Developer for more information on both the Do Good campaign and the contest in general.

Source: Nokia; thanks, Diamond, for the heads up!

Rich Edmonds
Senior Editor, PC Build

Rich Edmonds was formerly a Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.