Zero Project - Practice and Policy on the Theme of Accessibility, 2018

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The Zero Project, an initiative of the Essl Foundation, focuses on the rights of persons with disabilities globally. It provides a platform where the most innovative and effective solutions to problems that persons with disabilities face, are shared. Its sole objective is to assist in creating a world without barriers. We take a solutions-based approach to our work.

Zero project logo 2018Vision and Mission Statement

The Zero Project, an initiative of the Essl Foundation, focuses on the rights of persons with disabilities globally. It provides a platform where the most innovative and effective solutions to problems that persons with disabilities face, are shared.

Its sole objective is to assist in creating a world without barriers. We take a solutions-based approach to our work.

Together with our continuously growing network of over 3,000 disability experts in over 150 countries, we seek to identify the most innovative and effective Policies & Practices that improve the lives of persons with disabilities. And we tell the world about those Policies & Practices.

Each year we focus our research on a particular theme from the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UN CRPD). We publish a report based on this theme and organize a conference around its results. Held at the UN in Vienna this event typically brings together over 400 delegates from more than 50 countries.

The annual Zero Project Report presents the Policies & Practices that have been selected as the most innovative in their approach to that year’s theme. It also evaluates just how the UN CRPD is being implemented around the world. For this we created Social Indicators.

At our conference, those behind the innovative Policies & Practices present their solutions to their peers involved in the world of disabilities, including stakeholders, government ministers and other key influencers. They also receive an award for the incredible work they have done, helping them to raise their profile, network and to inspire others.

Keynote speakers and other experts discuss, in both plenary sessions and workshops, issues surrounding that year’s theme and how those Practices & Policies could be best transferred elsewhere.

2018 Theme: Accessibility

There are 4 subgroups on the subject of accessibility defined by the UNCRPD.  Nominations may work towards creating universal accessibility but may also work only to support one group of persons with disabilities. Nominations that support accessibility measures for people with multiple and severe disabilities are welcome, as well as for those constraints that are often neglected, like color-blindness, severe allergies, leprosies and others.

1. Built Environment

  • Planning and construction of all sorts. Basic elements include entrances, orientation systems, information system (technology), restrooms, bathrooms, etc.
  • Building and designing accessible public spaces: government buildings, halls, monuments, shopping and entertainment facilities, hospitals, general practitioners, pharmacies, conference venues, parks, playgrounds, public restrooms etc.
  • Building and designing equipment, orientation and information systems, devices, apps and software that can be used to make the built environment more accessible

ATTENTION: Designing and building private homes and apartments will be considered next year under the topic of Independent Living!

2. Infrastructure

  • Public transport systems (busses, trains, trams, shared taxis, taxis, underground systems), pathways, sidewalks,
  • Public utilities like energy, water, sanitation (e.g. accessible usability, service providing, information and billing policies)
  • Building and designing equipment, orientation and information systems, devices, apps and software that contribute to the accessibility of public infrastructure

3. ICT – Information and Communication Technology

  • All forms of telecommunication: speech, text messaging, social media, internet and data
  • Access to data and files, like word and data processing, cloud technologies, pdf, the World Wide Web etc.,
  • Automated, semi-automated or affordable text to speech, speech to text, speech to sign language, text to easy-to-read language etc.
  • Devices, like smartphones, notebooks, tablets, wearables

4. Products and Services

  • All products and services that improve the mobility of persons with disabilities, improves their ability to get access to all products and services, including purchasing and delivery, product information, billing processes etc.
  • All assistive technologies and services will be considered.

Furthermore, we have defined 5 additional important themes from which Innovative Practices are especially welcome.

5. Urban Development

  • Urban planning making cities and public spaces more accessible,
  • Where urban planners work jointly with other stakeholders to create new accessible urban environments or improve the existing built environment, infrastructure and public services,
  • Based on joint initiatives of public and private sector, professional and all stakeholders, including those with disabilities.

6. Tourism

  • This includes the entire travel-chain from leaving home to reaching the desired destination and back, or elements of it, like accessible hotels or information systems.
  • Especially collaborations between different stakeholders (hotels, public infrastructure providers, urban planners, technology partners, travel agencies etc.) are highly welcome.

7. Museum and Arts

  • This includes all activities to make theatres, concert venues, museums and all forms of art (the visual arts but also music, literature, theatre productions etc.) more accessible to all.

8. Emergency and disaster recovery

  • Creating evacuation and other inclusive emergency systems that are accessible for all.
  • Evacuation and Disaster relief include emergencies after earthquakes, electricity blackouts, major accidents and explosions, floods, hurricanes/cyclones, and all man-made situations like war, civil war, refugee situations etc.

9. Workplace adaption

  • This includes all measures that make workplaces more accessible.

Nominations for 2018 opened on 24 May 2017.

Nominations are open for policies and practices on the theme of accessibility

Go to the Zero Project nominations page for full details of how to register and enter your nomination.