But what about the Innovative Policies? Why should policies be nominated and why are they so important?
Innovative Policies show how change can happen at a government level. They lead the way in showing what is possible locally, nationally or internationally. By sharing the best examples of policy changes in governments around the world that support people with disabilities it can inspire others to follow suit. It can also provide pressure to other governments to implement necessary and lasting change.
Each Zero Project Conference brings together decision-makers from governments and international organisations around the world, such as local government representatives, ministries, and elected officials such as members of the European Parliament. By bringing together some of the best voices on a national stage, other countries simply have to take note.
This is why it is so important for us to be able to share the greatest laws, regulations, grants, subsidies etc. that break down barriers for persons with disabilities.
We are looking for policies that make employment more inclusive for persons with disabilities. This could be on international/supranational level, on a country level or also regional level, and normally only initiated by a public sector body – for example, a national or regional government, ministry, public sector agency.
We are also interested in inclusive employment strategies targeted at the public sector as an employer but also from trade unions working on inclusive employment, as their work often intersects with, upholds, or seeks to improve existing policy and legislative frameworks.
So help us to find the best policies that are creating lasting change. Tell us about them, or get in contact with your local politicians and decision-makers and encourage them to nominate their work for the recognition it deserves!
For more information, please go to our Zero Project Nomination Website
Zero Project receives 475 nominations from 93 countries!
After carefully reviewing the nominations in the last few weeks the final figures have now been counted! Once again, we have broken the record and received 475 practices, overhauling the record of 469 nominations from last year on the topic of Inclusive Education.
A huge thank you to everyone who has made a nomination. We are absolutely overwhelmed with the extraordinary range and quality of the projects and are thankful for the efforts of everyone who has nominated! A huge thanks also to those who are taking the time to help us review all the projects.
For the full details of what we received, read our nomination press release.
The Zero Project/IAAP/G3ict Webinar series on “Highlighting 2020 Educational Innovative Initiatives”
Benetech a US non-profit organization has made the start on June 24th, 2020 and presented their awarded practise Bookshare.
Bookshare is a global accessible virtual library for people with print disabilities. Available nationwide in the United States and in 87 other countries, Bookshare provides books and printed materials in five accessible formats, such as electronic Braille and DAISY synchronized text with audio, at a lower cost than traditional methods.
WHY NOMINATING INNOVATIVE POLICIES IS SO IMPORTANT
But what about the Innovative Policies? Why should policies be nominated and why are they so important?
Innovative Policies show how change can happen at a government level. They lead the way in showing what is possible locally, nationally or internationally. By sharing the best examples of policy changes in governments around the world that support people with disabilities it can inspire others to follow suit. It can also provide pressure to other governments to implement necessary and lasting change.
Each Zero Project Conference brings together decision-makers from governments and international organisations around the world, such as local government representatives, ministries, and elected officials such as members of the European Parliament. By bringing together some of the best voices on a national stage, other countries simply have to take note.
This is why it is so important for us to be able to share the greatest laws, regulations, grants, subsidies etc. that break down barriers for persons with disabilities.
We are looking for policies that make employment more inclusive for persons with disabilities. This could be on international/supranational level, on a country level or also regional level, and normally only initiated by a public sector body – for example, a national or regional government, ministry, public sector agency.
We are also interested in inclusive employment strategies targeted at the public sector as an employer but also from trade unions working on inclusive employment, as their work often intersects with, upholds, or seeks to improve existing policy and legislative frameworks.
So help us to find the best policies that are creating lasting change. Tell us about them, or get in contact with your local politicians and decision-makers and encourage them to nominate their work for the recognition it deserves!
For more information, please go to our Zero Project Nomination Website
Deadline Extended until 5th July 2020!
If all else fails, please contact us directly at office@zeroproject.org.
So finish the incredible work you have started – Good luck!
#ZeroCall21 #ZeroProject #ZeroProjectLatam
The 2020 Good Design Awards – Deadline extended until May29th, 2020!
The Good Design Awards are one of the oldest and most prestigious international design awards in the world, promoting excellence in design and innovation across 11 Design Disciplines. The entry deadline is Friday 29th May 2020, however, if you do wish to enter and need some additional time, entries will be allowed until Monday 1st June at 9 am.
Winners will receive the Good Design Tick Trophy, Trademarks and be featured in the annual Good Design Awards Yearbook and online on the Good Design Index, the home for best in class design and innovation.
Businesses likely to have been impacted by the current crisis will be recognized, additionally, to make entering easier during this difficult time a number of changes to the process for 2020 have been made:
QUICK LINKS:
If you have any questions you can contact the Good Design Team on awards@good-design.org.
Join Access Israel’s Webinar on “Global Sharing of Accessibility and Inclusion during COVID-19 crisis”
The Zero Project has joined forces with Access Israel on “Global Sharing of Accessibility and Inclusion during COVID-19 crisis” – a series of international webinars.
Don’t miss the first Zoom webinar event on Thursday, May 7th 2020 at 15:30 GMT which will include best practices from the USA, Austria, Israel and Spain.
Registration is free – the number of participants is limited so we highly recommend you sign in promptly so save your spot in the webinar!
REGISTER NOW
For any ideas, sharing, questions feel free to contact: site@aisrael.org and otherwise feel free to spread the word and invite interested organisations, commisioners and thought leaders!
See you there!
Zero Project Factsheets on Inclusive Education and ICT are now available in Spanish!
As you may remember, at the end of 2019 we partnered with the organization Fundación Descúbreme from Chile – an exciting step to extend the mission of the Zero Project for a world without barriers to the Latin American and the Spanish-speaking communities.
We are now pleased to present you with the first fruits of our partnership with Fundación Descúbreme:
All 75 Innovative Practices and 11 Innovative Policies on the topic of Inclusive Education and ICT are now available in Spanish!
To find out more dive in and follow these links:
Prácticas Innovaddoras 2020 Sobre Educacion Inclusiva
Políticas Innovaddoras 2020 Sobre Educacion Y TIC
Enjoy!
COVID-19: Free ASL Literacy Resource platform
Gallaudet University won a Zero Project Award in 2018 for their VL2 Storybook Creator app and are also one of our Zero Project Impact Transfer alumni. This app is just one of the activities now being offered on their free American Sign Language (ASL) Literacy Resources platform, alongside videos, ideas and other resources to support deaf children and their families during the current school closures due to COVID-19. The storybook apps are currently being made available for free on a rolling basis, and sign-up to the platform is free. You can find out more at: motionlightlab.podia.com/asl-literacy-activities
Happy Easter from the Zero Project!
Circumstances are a little different this year, nevertheless, we hope you can take a break and enjoy some quality time at home. The Zero Project wishes you all wonderful Easter holidays!
45 MEPs demand that Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative must fund support services for persons with disabilities
45 MEPs have demanded the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative to secure funding for support and care services for people with disabilities.
The letter is addressed to European Commission President Von der Leyen and EU Council President Michel and calls attention to the alarming lack of funding for services that provide care and support for persons with disabilities. Furthermore, it underlines that most organisations have adapted and continue to provide services but face a lack of access to needed funding, due to non-flexible contracts with authorities and delayed funding calls.
For more information please visit the following links:
EASPD – European Association of Service providers for persons with disabilities: https://tinyurl.com/unsee5c
EDF – European Disability Forum https://tinyurl.com/ulpqfkl