Zero Project

🌟 Meet the #ZeroCall25 Shortlist! The Zero Project is delighted to share the shortlist for the Zero Project Awards 2025 in Employment and ICT: 160 innovative solutions from 61 countries across 6 continents! The first stage of the selection process involved over 100 hours of review by the Zero Project's research team and more than 80 experts from the global Zero Project Network. This included evaluating each of the 522 nominations against formal criteria, requesting additional information where needed, and conducting peer reviews in dedicated sessions. Notably, Pakistan and Poland have entered the Top 15 countries for the first time, and Guinea and Guyana are represented on this year's shortlist for the first time ever. From A for Argentina to Z for Zambia: Discover the full list and a map of shortlisted innovations here: Next up: The Zero Project Network will engage and vote on these innovative solutions to determine the Zero Project Awardees 2025, who will be announced on December 3, 2024—the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Discover all the shortlisted Innovations: LINK: https://lnkd.in/gX-nhNBD Fundación Descúbreme EnAble India, Youth4Jobs Foundation, SG Enable Martin Essl Michael Fembek Anna Königseder Robin Tim Weis Sabine Wachernig Judith Hermetter Anja Günther Małgorzata Grobelna Isabella Essl Alessandro Gobello Maria Chiara Franco Mariia Horbivnenko #ZeroProject #InclusiveEmployment #ICT #ZeroCall25”

Inspiring times ahead, the Zero Project team just visited the United Nations Offices to start planning the Zero Project Conference 2025! (#ZeroCon25)🌍    This year, we’re expecting 1,000+ participants from over 100 countries and hosting 120+ sessions dedicated to Inclusive Employment, and ICT. We are honored to unite global change-makers and different kind of stakeholders for a truly impactful event — stay tuned as we work towards a world with #ZeroBarriers!    Discover more about the Zero Project Conference 2025 at the link below: https://lnkd.in/djJnvbvU #Zerocon25 #InclusionForAll #UnitedNations #InclusiveEmployment 

The Zero Project regionalizes its activities to important world regions outside Europe, with the goal of building bridges between the global disability inclusion community and regional innovation ecosystems.   Save the date for the Zero Project Asia Pacific Symposium 2024 November 28-29, 2024 at Raffles City Convention Center.   We're looking forward to welcome an international delegation of national businesses and disability networks, global accelerators, nonprofits, regional innovators, state-led organizations and more joining us from across the globe.   🌏 Register now at https://lnkd.in/gd_itqB5   #ZeroProjectAPAC2024 #DisabilityInclusion #InclusiveSpaces

Zero Project Inclusive Arts: Making the Arts accessible for everyone 🌍     The Zero Project Inclusive Arts initiative is dedicated to harnessing the transformative power of the Arts and Culture to positively impact society. We’re committed to sharing innovations that allow persons with disabilities to fully participate in the Arts, fostering inclusion, creativity, and participation.     Watch how innovative solutions, such as tactile models of Street Art, transform public spaces and ensure that art can be experienced by all. Let’s work together for a world with zero barriers.     Discover More about Zero Project Inclusive Arts at the link below:  https://lnkd.in/d_3WP4u9     Martin Essl, Isabella Essl, Connie Vandarakis, Doris Rothauer, #InclusiveArts #ZeroProject #ArtForAll #ZeroBarriers #Accessibility”

Great first experience at the EASPD Conference! This week I had the privilege to be in Athens at “Opening Doors: how can disability support services unlock the open labour market?”, representing the Zero Project with Wilfried Kainz. A fantastic platform for learning, sharing best practices, and exploring innovative models to foster inclusive employment. It was inspiring to meet so many wonderful people and professionals from allover Europe (and more), and to spend time with Carola Rubia and Victoria Ontiveros García from our partner organization Fundación Descúbreme EASPD - European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities #ZeroBarriers #DisabilityInclusion #Employment4All #ZeroProject

We are delighted to share that our CEO, Michael Fembek, had the opportunity to moderate and attend a panel discussion at the G7 Ministers Meeting on Inclusion and Disability. 🌍 #ZeroBarriers #G7Italia #DisabilityRights

Dignity and AI. Can AI provide dignity for all? I look forward to Lenovo Tech World, not only to learn about the 'cutting edge' of AI, but to also highlight to established--and new partners--that innovation and inclusion is feasible and not a pipe dream. The solutions are out there, just ask us at the Zero Project and at the Equitable AI Alliance (hat tip to Mariia Horbivnenko and David Banes). The Scott-Morgan Foundation will be the prime example on display at #LenovoTechWorld showing us all that AI can indeed provide dignity for all - stay tuned for details. A big thank you to LaVonne Roberts for her tireless efforts in drawing together an AI ecosystem whose base currency is unbriddled innovation AND inclusion. Thank you as well to Lenovo (Justin Eure, Ada Lopez, et al.) for the invitation and opportunity to learn together in this advancing space. Looking forward to bringing in new partners and allies into the global Zero Project family!

Save the Date!🌱 As we await the Awardee Announcement, be sure to mark your calendar for the Zero Project Conference 2025 (#ZeroCon25), happening from March 5-7, 2025, at the United Nations Office in Vienna—and online. This year, our focus is on Employment and ICT. The #ZeroCon25 agenda will center around products, initiatives, policies, and other good practices that have been selected for a Zero Project Award, chosen from over 500 nominations worldwide for their innovation, impact, and scalability. With 1,000+ participants from 100 countries attending annually, the Zero Project Conference has become a unique global meeting place to innovate for disability inclusion. More information available at: zerocon25.zeroproject.org #ZeroCon25 #DisabilityInclusion #Innovation #SaveTheDate

Last week, I had the honor to present the findings of Zero Project research on the topic of AI related technologies for educational purposes. The event: “Inclusive Futures: Exploring Research Innovations and AI Tools for Children with Disabilities” was hosted by Special Olympics and New York University Abu Dhabi. This high-level meeting brought together experts from around the globe with a particular focus on stakeholders from the Middle East. Our special thanks go to Jackie Jodl and Salyne El Samarany from Special Olympics for the kind invitation and Prof. Kristie Patten from NYUAD, the “spiritus rector” of the event. #WorldInclusionDay hashtag #InclusiveEducation hashtag #AI hashtag #SpecialOlympics hashtag #DisabilityInclusion hashtag #IDD hashtag #NYUAbuDhabi #ZeroProject #EquitableAI Ahmad Al Gergawi Kristie Patten Jacqueline Jodl Prof. Eman Gaad Tasniem Murad Wilfried Kainz Dr. Rukiya Deetjen Ruiz FHEA Rachel Brody Reem Marto @nathancook Dana Abdul-Ahad Nawfal Rami Elgebali