Each year, the Zero Project selects, communicates, and shares innovative solutions that support the rights and lives of persons with disabilities, focused on the core themes of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD).
Across a 4-year cycle, the research process focuses on the following 4 topics: Independent Living and Political Participation, Education, Employment, and Accessibility.
Since 2020, in addition to these 4 topics, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are covered every year.
2015, 2019, 2023
This category showcases solutions that support persons with disabilities to live independently in the community and allow equal opportunities to participate in society, including decision making, housing, participation in elections, and self-representation.
2016, 2020
This theme showcases solutions that allow persons with disabilities to access education opportunities across a variety of education levels: childhood intervention, primary and secondary schools, university education, vocational training, as well as education in emergency and disaster situations.
2017, 2021
This topic covers inclusive corporate employment strategies, IT- based job platforms, supported employment services, social business and entrepreneurship, and more.
2018, 2022
Accessibility covers a broad variety of situations and techniques that allow persons with disabilities to gain access to the locations, services, products and tools required to live an independent and fulfilling life. Just some of the topics presented here include tourism, public transport, ICT, built environment and the arts.
2020, 2021
Inclusive Information and Communication Technology (ICT) covers a range of platforms and technology including inclusive web solutions, accessible software, hardware, devices and apps.
Innovative solutions can be nominated in 4 different groups, based on the background of the nominated project:
Sector
The Zero Project engages with autonomous associations independent of the state, in order to identify grassroot approaches that are inclusive, accessible, and remove barriers for all.
Sector
The Zero Project also believes in the power and scale of startups, SME’s, and corporations that remove barriers for all.
Sector
The Zero Project engages with cities, government, municipalities, and international organizations, underlining that permanent change can only come with full political backing and buy-in.
Sector
The Zero Project acknowledges the responsibility of the ICT sector to allow the impact of technology to be one that is inclusive – not exclusive – and removes barriers for all.