Zero Project 2018 Opens for Project and Policy Nominations in Accessibility

Nominate and share your best practice project or policy in accessibility.

Since 2012 the Zero Project has disseminated replicable and innovative solutions for the problems people with disabilities face, raising public awareness, stimulating reform and acting as a catalyst for a world without barriers. 

The Zero Project call for nominations 2018 opened on 24th May 2017. This year the theme is accessibility! The countdown is on! #ZeroCall18

Watch the introductory video here.

Further information

Zero Project website

Visit the Nominations Website

2018 Nominations 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.

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