We have the pleasure of presenting at the Harkin Summit on Global Disability Employment in early November. Michael Fembek will present some ideas on the topic of ‘What we know about disability around the world’. This gives us a fantastic opportunity to share once again some of the innovative practices and policies that were successful at our 2017 conference on employment.
The Harkin Summit is an invitation-only event that bring together high-level representatives and grassroots implementers from around the world- all working to increase the employment of persons with disabilities.
We have had the pleasure of working with one of Austria’s leading daily newspapers “Die Presse“, in publishing a supplement detailing 43 successful models of employment for persons with disabilities. The article was circulated in the nationwide newspaper and features a selection of practices from previous years of our research, plus some 2017 Zero Project awardees and even some nominations for 2018!
You can download the supplement by visiting the home page of the Zero Project website and clicking on the Die Presse link, or by clicking HERE.
The publication is only available in German, but if like me you need to brush up on your Deutsch then this may be a good opportunity!
It has been a very busy month, not just for us, but for our diligent partners who have been busily scrutinising the 2018 nominations for Innovative Practices and Innovative Policies. With their help, we have cut the list down to 140 practices and 34 policies, ahead of the final vote which takes place in September. It is such a shame to already see so many great practices drop out at this stage and we send our thanks to everyone running the incredible projects out there. We hope to see much more of you in the coming years!
We are inviting over 3,000 experts and specialists in the disability field from around the world to have the final vote on the shortlisted practices. Good luck to everyone!
One of our closest partners and conference allies is heading off on a spectacular adventure to promote the #valuable campaign. On 4th September 2017 Caroline Casey, founder of Binc,will embark on a 1,000 kilometre horse adventure through Colombia to ignite a global conversation on inclusion, through the #valuable campaign.
Backed by global business leaders, #valuable calls on businesses to put disability own their boardroom agenda and will identify 10 game-changing business leaders to stand for the one billion people living with a disability worldwide, and champion the issue of disability around the globe.
“Now we are hosting career fairs, putting our work on display”
I am Atugonza Milton Isaac. When I started school I was the only one with a disability. All the other boys called me by hurtful nicknames, but in my heart I felt, “If others can do it, why not me? Why not a person with a disability?” When the Connecting the Dots project of Sightsavers came to my village I was doing some agricultural work. I heard the news on the radio announcing that the programme was looking for young people with disabilities to take them
for training. I had previously had an introduction on how to use a computer, so I said to myself, “Let me study computers, because in the next generation everything will be computerised.”
Now my job is to go into the field and monitor the young students in the Sightsavers programme: “How’s the work environment? How are you getting along?” I even go to visit students in their homes to see whether their parents are supporting them or not. I then report back to the office – this one is doing well, this one has a challenge. My mission is to empower youth with disabilities to acquire a sense of self-worth, to see that they too can earn a living, and to lobby for them to know their rights and benefits. I also help them benefit from government programmes, like special grants.
I have seen youth with disabilities doing great, great things. Now we are hosting career fairs, putting our work on display. Now everyone knows that disability is not inability!
Apply to the GenH Challenge with your everyday idea to change the trajectory of health.
The best ideas for the future of health can come from anyone, anywhere in the world. Pioneered by Johnson & Johnson, the GenH Challenge is a social innovation prize competition uniquely incentivizing global entrepreneurs, innovators, and people on the front lines of health to join forces and tackle some of the world’s toughest health challenges.
The GenH Challenge is founded on the belief that everyday ideas can transform the trajectory of health for humanity. The competition provides up to $250,000 in funding, plus other incentives, to support and champion the pioneers of ingenuity who will help the world achieve its healthiest generation – “GenH.”
It has been an incredible couple of months for us here at the Zero Project as we were inundated with the best that you have to offer. It’s taken a while, but we’ve counted, counted again and analysed the results. And these results tell us that we received an amazing 372 nominations from 76 countries, which includes first-time nominations from Honduras, Iran, Swaziland and Zambia! Israel top the list with the most innovative practice nominations, while Spain have given us the most innovative policy nominations.
For those statisticians out there, we have put together a more detailed breakdown of the results, which you can find below, and also in the downloads section of the website. Enjoy!
The Zero Project has completed the nomination process for Innovative Practices and Policies in the field of accessibility. It has received 317 nominations for Innovative Practices and 55 for Innovative Policies from more than 70 countries around the world
Vienna 7th August 2017: The Zero Project researches the status of the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) around the world. This year, is focusing on employment, work and vocational education and training.
The nomination process started in May 2017 and the Call for Nominations of Innovative Practices, as well as Innovative Policies, closed at the beginning of July.
The Zero Project received an astounding 372 Nominations from 76 countries, and astounding is also the variety of accessibility that is created by them: from assistive technology to tourism, from urban development to access to health and justice, from accessibility in humanitarian aid to orientation maps, artificial intelligence and automated easy language support.
The process of carefully screening, shortlisting, voting on, and finally selecting the Innovative Practices and Policies 2018 of the Zero Project has already begun.
Call for Innovative Practices: 317 Nominations
The Call for Nominations of Innovative Practices resulted in 317 nominations from 73 countries and all regions of the world: 24 were received from Africa, 87 from Asia, 129 from Europe, 43 from North America, 30 from Latin America and the Caribbean, and 4 from Australia.
Countries where the most Innovative Practices were nominated: Israel (36), Austria, home country of the Zero Project (34), United States (33) and Spain (14). For the first time, nominations were received from Honduras, Iran, Swaziland and Zambia.
Call for Innovative Policies: 55 Nominations
The Call for Nominations of Innovative Policies resulted in 55 nominations being received by the Zero Project. These Nominations for Innovative Policies came from all regions of the world: Africa (7), Asia (6), Europe (25), North America (9), Latin America and the Caribbean (6) and Australia (2). Countries with the most nominations for Innovative Policies were: Spain (8), Austria (6) and Canada (4).
Next steps in the selection process
The Zero Project team, with the help of its partners and expert network, is currently shortlisting all nominations, based on its three criteria: Innovation, Impact and Scalability.
In September, the Zero Project network will be asked to vote on the shortlisted nominations as the next step in the selection process.
In a final step, the Zero Project team will thoroughly research all practices and policies before final decisions are made by the end of 2017.
The overall aim is to select a total of up to 70 Innovative Practices and 10 to 12 Innovative Policies, to be published in the Zero Project Report 2018 on Accessibility and to award them at the next Zero Project Conference in February 2018 at the UN in Vienna.
UN Habitat is Seeking applications for the 2017 Dubai International Award for Best Practices to Improve the Living Environment.
The 2017 award is an international contest which seeks to recognize outstanding initiatives that are making significant contributions which:
Have a demonstrable and tangible impact on improving people’s quality of life;
Are the result of effective partnerships between the public, private and civic sectors of society;
Are socially, culturally, economically and environmentally sustainable
The award is open to candidates within all sectors: national an regional governments; local authorities and their associations; non-governmental organizations; multilateral agencies; community based organizations; research and academic institutions; public and private foundations; media entities and individuals in different categories.
Find out more by visiting the UN Habitat website and make sure to apply for the award before the 31st August deadline!
The European Foundation Centre has released a publication summarising and analysing how EFC members and other institutional philanthropy actors are engaging with the field of disability. The report provides an up-to-date picture of 34 philanthropic organisations active in the field of disability. The Zero Project is proud to have been one organisation contributing to this report.
The survey, which was carried out in the context of the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), focused on institutional philanthropy actors who are funding, supporting, advocating, and partnering to advance the situation of people with disabilities in Europe and beyond, including those with disabilities related to ageing.
The survey found that the organisations employed over 1,600 full-time-equivalent staff and spend around 155 Million Euro annually in the field of disability.
Read more about the other key findings, or view the full report by visiting the EFC website.
Today we take a slight detour from the subject of disability to help raise awareness on a very important issue from one of our partner organisations. Lumos Foundation have produced a report detailing the complex orphanage situation in Haiti. The report gives a thorough account of why the substantial funding going towards the orphanages in Haiti is not necessarily leading to improved conditions for the children and may in some cases be leading to abuse and rights violations.
This detailed report gives some practical advice to donors, volunteers, multi-lateral and bi-lateral partners, and the Government of Haiti on what part they can play in turning this situation around and promote returning to community- and family-based care.
We urge you to read the report and share with your network to raise this important issue.
We’re going to the Harkin Summit! Are you?
We have the pleasure of presenting at the Harkin Summit on Global Disability Employment in early November. Michael Fembek will present some ideas on the topic of ‘What we know about disability around the world’. This gives us a fantastic opportunity to share once again some of the innovative practices and policies that were successful at our 2017 conference on employment.
The Harkin Summit is an invitation-only event that bring together high-level representatives and grassroots implementers from around the world- all working to increase the employment of persons with disabilities.
Zero Project supplement published in leading Austrian newspaper
We have had the pleasure of working with one of Austria’s leading daily newspapers “Die Presse“, in publishing a supplement detailing 43 successful models of employment for persons with disabilities. The article was circulated in the nationwide newspaper and features a selection of practices from previous years of our research, plus some 2017 Zero Project awardees and even some nominations for 2018!
You can download the supplement by visiting the home page of the Zero Project website and clicking on the Die Presse link, or by clicking HERE.
The publication is only available in German, but if like me you need to brush up on your Deutsch then this may be a good opportunity!
Zero Project shortlists 140 Practices and 34 Policies
It has been a very busy month, not just for us, but for our diligent partners who have been busily scrutinising the 2018 nominations for Innovative Practices and Innovative Policies. With their help, we have cut the list down to 140 practices and 34 policies, ahead of the final vote which takes place in September. It is such a shame to already see so many great practices drop out at this stage and we send our thanks to everyone running the incredible projects out there. We hope to see much more of you in the coming years!
We are inviting over 3,000 experts and specialists in the disability field from around the world to have the final vote on the shortlisted practices. Good luck to everyone!
Read our official press release for more details of the shortlisting phase.
An epic 1,000km challenge in Colombia to promote #Valuable
One of our closest partners and conference allies is heading off on a spectacular adventure to promote the #valuable campaign. On 4th September 2017 Caroline Casey, founder of Binc,will embark on a 1,000 kilometre horse adventure through Colombia to ignite a global conversation on inclusion, through the #valuable campaign.
Backed by global business leaders, #valuable calls on businesses to put disability own their boardroom agenda and will identify 10 game-changing business leaders to stand for the one billion people living with a disability worldwide, and champion the issue of disability around the globe.
Follow Caroline on her epic journey and join the conversation by visiting the #valuable website and social media channels; Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
The Story of Atugonza: Empowering youth with disabilities to acquire a sense of self-worth
“Now we are hosting career fairs, putting our work on display”
I am Atugonza Milton Isaac. When I started school I was the only one with a disability. All the other boys called me by hurtful nicknames, but in my heart I felt, “If others can do it, why not me? Why not a person with a disability?” When the Connecting the Dots project of Sightsavers came to my village I was doing some agricultural work. I heard the news on the radio announcing that the programme was looking for young people with disabilities to take them
for training. I had previously had an introduction on how to use a computer, so I said to myself, “Let me study computers, because in the next generation everything will be computerised.”
Now my job is to go into the field and monitor the young students in the Sightsavers programme: “How’s the work environment? How are you getting along?” I even go to visit students in their homes to see whether their parents are supporting them or not. I then report back to the office – this one is doing well, this one has a challenge. My mission is to empower youth with disabilities to acquire a sense of self-worth, to see that they too can earn a living, and to lobby for them to know their rights and benefits. I also help them benefit from government programmes, like special grants.
I have seen youth with disabilities doing great, great things. Now we are hosting career fairs, putting our work on display. Now everyone knows that disability is not inability!
Read more about Sightsavers ‘Connect the Dots’ project.
Johnson and Johnson’s GenH Challenge
Apply to the GenH Challenge with your everyday idea to change the trajectory of health.
The best ideas for the future of health can come from anyone, anywhere in the world. Pioneered by Johnson & Johnson, the GenH Challenge is a social innovation prize competition uniquely incentivizing global entrepreneurs, innovators, and people on the front lines of health to join forces and tackle some of the world’s toughest health challenges.
The GenH Challenge is founded on the belief that everyday ideas can transform the trajectory of health for humanity. The competition provides up to $250,000 in funding, plus other incentives, to support and champion the pioneers of ingenuity who will help the world achieve its healthiest generation – “GenH.”
To learn more or apply to the GenH Challenge, visit www.GenHChallenge.com.
Zero Project receives 372 nominations from 76 countries!
It has been an incredible couple of months for us here at the Zero Project as we were inundated with the best that you have to offer. It’s taken a while, but we’ve counted, counted again and analysed the results. And these results tell us that we received an amazing 372 nominations from 76 countries, which includes first-time nominations from Honduras, Iran, Swaziland and Zambia! Israel top the list with the most innovative practice nominations, while Spain have given us the most innovative policy nominations.
For those statisticians out there, we have put together a more detailed breakdown of the results, which you can find below, and also in the downloads section of the website. Enjoy!
The Zero Project has completed the nomination process for Innovative Practices and Policies in the field of accessibility. It has received 317 nominations for Innovative Practices and 55 for Innovative Policies from more than 70 countries around the world
Vienna 7th August 2017: The Zero Project researches the status of the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) around the world. This year, is focusing on employment, work and vocational education and training.
The nomination process started in May 2017 and the Call for Nominations of Innovative Practices, as well as Innovative Policies, closed at the beginning of July.
The Zero Project received an astounding 372 Nominations from 76 countries, and astounding is also the variety of accessibility that is created by them: from assistive technology to tourism, from urban development to access to health and justice, from accessibility in humanitarian aid to orientation maps, artificial intelligence and automated easy language support.
The process of carefully screening, shortlisting, voting on, and finally selecting the Innovative Practices and Policies 2018 of the Zero Project has already begun.
Call for Innovative Practices: 317 Nominations
The Call for Nominations of Innovative Practices resulted in 317 nominations from 73 countries and all regions of the world: 24 were received from Africa, 87 from Asia, 129 from Europe, 43 from North America, 30 from Latin America and the Caribbean, and 4 from Australia.
Countries where the most Innovative Practices were nominated: Israel (36), Austria, home country of the Zero Project (34), United States (33) and Spain (14). For the first time, nominations were received from Honduras, Iran, Swaziland and Zambia.
Call for Innovative Policies: 55 Nominations
The Call for Nominations of Innovative Policies resulted in 55 nominations being received by the Zero Project. These Nominations for Innovative Policies came from all regions of the world: Africa (7), Asia (6), Europe (25), North America (9), Latin America and the Caribbean (6) and Australia (2). Countries with the most nominations for Innovative Policies were: Spain (8), Austria (6) and Canada (4).
Next steps in the selection process
The Zero Project team, with the help of its partners and expert network, is currently shortlisting all nominations, based on its three criteria: Innovation, Impact and Scalability.
In September, the Zero Project network will be asked to vote on the shortlisted nominations as the next step in the selection process.
In a final step, the Zero Project team will thoroughly research all practices and policies before final decisions are made by the end of 2017.
The overall aim is to select a total of up to 70 Innovative Practices and 10 to 12 Innovative Policies, to be published in the Zero Project Report 2018 on Accessibility and to award them at the next Zero Project Conference in February 2018 at the UN in Vienna.
Invitations open for 2017 Dubai International Award!
UN Habitat is Seeking applications for the 2017 Dubai International Award for Best Practices to Improve the Living Environment.
The 2017 award is an international contest which seeks to recognize outstanding initiatives that are making significant contributions which:
The award is open to candidates within all sectors: national an regional governments; local authorities and their associations; non-governmental organizations; multilateral agencies; community based organizations; research and academic institutions; public and private foundations; media entities and individuals in different categories.
Find out more by visiting the UN Habitat website and make sure to apply for the award before the 31st August deadline!
EFC release publication on Institutional Philanthropy – A Focus on Disability
The European Foundation Centre has released a publication summarising and analysing how EFC members and other institutional philanthropy actors are engaging with the field of disability. The report provides an up-to-date picture of 34 philanthropic organisations active in the field of disability. The Zero Project is proud to have been one organisation contributing to this report.
The survey, which was carried out in the context of the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), focused on institutional philanthropy actors who are funding, supporting, advocating, and partnering to advance the situation of people with disabilities in Europe and beyond, including those with disabilities related to ageing.
The survey found that the organisations employed over 1,600 full-time-equivalent staff and spend around 155 Million Euro annually in the field of disability.
Read more about the other key findings, or view the full report by visiting the EFC website.
Funding Haitian Orphanages at the Cost of Children’s Rights
Today we take a slight detour from the subject of disability to help raise awareness on a very important issue from one of our partner organisations. Lumos Foundation have produced a report detailing the complex orphanage situation in Haiti. The report gives a thorough account of why the substantial funding going towards the orphanages in Haiti is not necessarily leading to improved conditions for the children and may in some cases be leading to abuse and rights violations.
This detailed report gives some practical advice to donors, volunteers, multi-lateral and bi-lateral partners, and the Government of Haiti on what part they can play in turning this situation around and promote returning to community- and family-based care.
We urge you to read the report and share with your network to raise this important issue.