Research Topics

Aligned with the CRPD core themes

This image depicts the Zero Project Conference Opening Cermony in the biggest plenary room at the UN in Vienna. In the foreground, we see the back of the audience's heads as they face the stage where Martin Essl stands at a podium, speaking. A banner beside the podium indicates that the event is related to the United Nations and the rights of persons with disabilities, signifying themes of inclusion and justice. A sign language interpreter is present at the bottom of the frame, facilitating communication for the deaf or hard of hearing, underscoring the event's commitment to accessibility and equality. The atmosphere appears professional and focused on sharing information and fostering dialogue on important global issues.
Zero Project Founder Martin Essl at the Zero Project Conference 2024. The CRPD banner next to him reflects the convention's importance for all of the Zero Project's work.

The Zero Project's research is based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Its objective is to advance the implementation of the convention by finding and sharing innovative solutions.

Across a 4-year cycle, the Zero Project's research focuses on core themes that are defined by the UN CRPD: Accessibility, Education, Employment, Independent Living and Political Participation. In addition, Information- and Communication Technology (ICT) is addressed every year.

This image depicts the Zero Project Conference Opening Cermony in the biggest plenary room at the UN in Vienna. In the foreground, we see the back of the audience's heads as they face the stage where Martin Essl stands at a podium, speaking. A banner beside the podium indicates that the event is related to the United Nations and the rights of persons with disabilities, signifying themes of inclusion and justice. A sign language interpreter is present at the bottom of the frame, facilitating communication for the deaf or hard of hearing, underscoring the event's commitment to accessibility and equality. The atmosphere appears professional and focused on sharing information and fostering dialogue on important global issues.
Zero Project Founder Martin Essl at the Zero Project Conference 2024. The CRPD banner next to him reflects the convention's importance for all of the Zero Project's work.

A 4-year-cycle and annual topics

Across a 4-year cycle, the Zero Project's research process focuses on the following 4 topics: 

  • Independent Living and Political Participation

  • Education

  • Employment

  • Accessibility

In addition, the research covers the following topics every year:

  • Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) 

    Since 2020, due to the increasing significance and rapid development of ICT innovations for disability inclusion

  • Inclusive Arts

    Since 2023, the Zero Project's research also seeks to identify innovative solutions relating specifically to the Arts and Culture sector.

Crisis Response

The Zero Project Call for Nominations 2026 addresses the topic of Crisis Response for the first time, reflecting current global developments and the significance of the topic — a point emphasized by numerous experts from the Zero Project Network in recent years.