Publications

Research and practical guides

The Zero Project consistently publishes research findings on innovative solutions that improve the daily lives and legal rights of persons with disabilities. Additionally, it shares its experience through practical guides, developed in collaboration with experts and organizations from the global Zero Project Network. Explore the latest publications available for free download.

  • Annual publication

    Zero Project Reports

    Each year, the Zero Project publishes a report on a specific topic, featuring the latest Zero Project Awardees.

  • Case studies and expert comments

    Zero Project Champions

    This series of research reports provides thorough analysis paired with case studies of global good practices, and experts comments. The first two “Champions” reports focus on the topics of inclusive spaces and successful scaling strategies.

  • Practical advice for event organizers

    Accessibility Guides

    Sharing the experience from organising the Zero Project Conference and other events globally.

  • Every four years

    Zero Project Almanac

    The Zero Project Almanac is published every four years. It not only provides an overview of innovative solutions, but also summarizes their impact over the past years. The Almanac is translated into Spanish and German.

  • In cooperation with partner organizations

    Zero Project Sector Reports

    The Zero Project Sector Reports are Reports targeting a defined theme or topic, and are always produced and shared in cooperation with an esteemed partner organization of the Zero Project.

  • Educational introductions to a specific topic

    The Basics

    The Basics is a series of publications that address specific topics in an educational way. They are available in PDF, audio, and video formats.

Zero Project Reports

Download the new Zero Project Report:

Showcasing innovative solutions

Every year, the Zero Project publishes a report on the innovative solutions that have been identified in the extensive annual peer-reviewed research. In a 4-year-cycle, the following research topics are covered: Education, Employment, Independent Living and Political Participation, Accessibility, and ICT.

Download your copy in accessible PDF format

Click on the following links to download PDF versions of the respective reports:

Are you looking for previous reports?

Visit our archive

Zero Project Champions

New publication out now:

Scaling Innovations: Strategies that work

24 case studies and expert comments

This new publication explores how proven innovations can grow to create a broader impact. Its is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. It was first presented at the Global Disability Summit 2025 in Berlin.

Download the accessible PDF


 

Champions of Inclusive Spaces

10 case studies, short reviews, and expert comments

On the occasion of the Zero Project Asia Pacific Symposium, the Essl Foundation and SG Enable presented a new report: “Champions of Inclusive Spaces” showcases ten in-depth case studies, expert comments on Universal Design, and 20 short reviews of outstanding solutions from around the world.

Download the accessible PDF


 

Zero Project Accessibility Guides

Use the Zero Project experience:

Conference Accessibility: a practical guide for event organizers (2025)

This guide aims to help event organizers create inclusive events in which everyone can equally participate. The measures and recommendations are based on the knowledge and experience gained by the Zero Project in the course of more than 12 years of organizing its Zero Project Conference in Vienna and being part of literally hundreds other organizing teams.

Download the accessible PDF


 

Organising Accessible Events: A Playbook (2023)

A Step-by-Step Guide to Event Accessibility and Inclusivity. Published by our partners Youth4Jobs, GDi Partners, Omidyar Network India, and The Hans Foundation. 

Download the accessible PDF


 

Conference Accessibility Guidelines (2020)

A detailed publication presenting insights and learnings from organising the annual Zero Project Conference. Published in 2020 before the Zero Project Conference was turned into a hybrid event, the Guidelines cover accessibility for in-person attendance:

Download the accessible PDF

The Zero Project Almanac 2021

Findings, trends and impact of the Zero Project's research

The Zero Project Almanac covers the findings of years of research: it thoroughly analyzes recent developments with the help of experts, collects impact stories, and carefully maps innovations from around the world that can improve the daily lives and legal rights of persons with disabilities.

Download your copy in English, German, or Spanish

It is available in three languages, in accessible PDF format, via the following download links:

Zero Project Sector Reports

In collaboration with thematic experts

The Zero Project Sector Reports are Reports targeting a defined theme or topic, and are always produced and shared in cooperation with an esteemed partner organization of the Zero Project.

Assistive Technologies (2022)

Click on the following link to download the PDF version of the 2022 Report on Assistive Technologies that was published in collaboration with The Global Alliance of Assistive Technology (GAATO):

The Basics

Important and emerging topics explained

Zero Project – The Basics is a publication series of the Essl Foundation, dedicated to explaining important and emerging topics like Artificial Intelligence, or Assistive Technologies, that influence inclusion, accessibility, and therefore the lives of persons with disabilities. 

These series of brief, educational introductions provide food for thought in an entertaining and accessible way. Moreover, they give practical examples of relevance for persons with disabilities.

The Basics are produced in three different and accessible formats: Accessible pdf, audio, and videos with English captions and International Sign translation.

Edition 1: Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a simulation of human intelligence. It seeks to imitate the way in which we humans do things and think but do it through technology. AI can be understood as a branch of computer science dedicated to simulating intelligent behavior in computers. In relation to persons with disabilities the following questions are valid: What can AI do for us? Are we replacing old barriers with new ones? Where does it affect inclusion and accessibility already, and what applications can be expected soon?

We at Zero Project believe that AI is here to stay. Therefore, it is better to work with it than to fight it. In the Zero Project Basics series about AI, we explain why.

 

Archive

Visit the Zero Project Archive for publications released prior to 2020:

Go to Zero project Archive