Event agenda

Opening Ceremony

Opening Ceremony of the Zero Project Conference 2024

Keynote Speech: Bobbi Cordano

Roberta "Bobbi" Cordano is the President of Gallaudet University.

Talent Pipelines. Making It Easier for Employers to Say “YES”

High-tech solutions expanding to global markets

This Session features smartphone aids for the blind, a global AI call-to-text app, an eye-tracking communication device, and quality 3D-printed prosthetics.

Philea's Disability Thematic Network: Good practices from foundations

Foundations from Philea (Philanthropy Europe Association) share good practices from their programs that promote accessible and inclusive education in various countries.

Joining The Zero Project India Conference

Inclusive education: How inclusive can it be?

Renowned experts in disability rights and education practitioners discuss the foundations, opportunities, and limitations of inclusive education in schools.

Globalizing Digital Accessibility through Apprenticeship

Inclusive Education and Music: How Marwan became DJ Mwal’a 🔥

Marwan Saliba is a 21 year old man from Jordan who expresses his passion for Music on daily DJ sessions in Instagram. He will talk about how he discovered his passion for music and how he became a DJ with 8.000 Followers!

Collaborative Approaches for Sustainable Impact: Exploring the Zero Project Scaling Solutions and its Partners

Discover our approach to scaling successful projects globally in the Zero Project Scaling Solutions Programme. Explore the partnership strategies in the session with Zero Project, Fundacion Descubreme, GIZ, Atos, and Inclusive Creation.

Innovative tech solutions enhancing sign language communication

In this Session, explore a free sign language app, sign language in science, a TV sign language sports academy, and digital sign books.

Forum on Artificial Intelligence and disability inclusion

In this Forum, exciting new AI-based solutions will be presented, as well as methods discussed, which seek to ensure that disability inclusion in reflected in AI development.

Bring Accessibility into Curricula: ATHENA

Designing an inclusive public library in Singapore

From theory to practice in assistive technology provision; connecting global policies with everyday practice on the grassroot level

Realistic representation of persons with disabilities in the arts and media

This Session showcases how innovative, creative, and inclusive approaches in music, dance, and visual arts can foster a more inclusive society.

How can we evaluate and measure the socioeconomic benefits of universal design?

Early childhood interventions tailored for low-income and rural settings

Explore innovative early intervention strategies in low-resource areas, from an Indian startup to an app tackling malnutrition and inclusive school-readiness programmes.

Education in Inclusive Fashion/ Design

Inclusive fashion aims at the acceptance of all people without exception: clothes for all! Join this industry interview that highlights the work of two renowned experts in the inclusive fashion and design space.

How the Transition of Braille to Digital is driving Inclusive Education in India

Caregiving in an Ageing World: Supporting The Unseen Care Force

Innovative TVET programmes with a focus on persons with intellectual disabilities

New trends and methods on technical and vocational education and training will be presented with a special focus on persons with intellectual disabilities during this Session.

Inclusive practices in universities and higher education institutions

Experience different strategies to enhance university inclusion in this Session, such as integrated disability education for medical students, collections of good practices for African universities, and Deaf leadership.

Let’s talk: Innovation! In cooperation with the Vienna Business Agency and co-financed by the European Union

Selected international startups take part in the Discover Vienna: Zero Barriers 2024 program – a unique opportunity to explore Vienna’s impact-driven ecosystem. In this interactive Session, you will engage in inspiring discussions with participants.

Hosted by

Vienna Business Agency

Austria

BankAbility – Accessible digital banking for everyone

Inclusive Education Challenges in Kurdistan Region and Iraq and Steps Forward

Focus on Subsaharan Africa: Comprehensive teaching frameworks

Experience African good practices that empower children with disabilities in remote areas, with low-cost and easy-to-adapt programme modules, and IT support.

Innovative Inclusive Public Policies and Accessible Technology: The case of Brazil

Zero Project Policymaker Forum: Good Policies from Europe on inclusive education

The Zero Project Policymaker Forum will highlight exemplary public policies from Europe that have led the way in creating more more inclusive and accessible schools, as well as education systems.

Inclusive sports and quality education

In this session, innovative models are presented how mainstream schools can include children with all types of disabilities in sports lessons and activities, with Special Olympics pioneering many of these models.

Inclusive Progress: Africa's Path to Personalized Growth

Expanding Concepts of Access in Higher Education: Shifting from Individual to Systemic

Educational and support strategies during humanitarian crises

Encounter this year’s Zero Project Awardees that have developed strategies for early childhood intervention, inclusive care, and resilient education to support refugees and internally displaced people with hearing loss and other disabilities.

Keynote Speech: David Evangelista and Mario Dukic

David S. Evangelista is the President and Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe Eurasia. Mario Dukic is a Football (Soccer) Athlete with Special Olympics Austria.

What Museums can offer in regard to Accessibility and Inclusion

Opportunities for Collaboration in Ibero-America (In Spanish)

In this Forum, panelists debate on how to find the right partnerships to expedite inclusive education in the broader Ibero-American region. Join the Chile-based Fundación Descúbreme and Spanish-based ONCE Social Group.

Hosted by

Fundacion Descubreme

Chile

Join the Inclusive EdTech Working Group

AccessibleEU Event and Reception

Join this engaging evening reception to learn from common mistakes and innovative solutions that seek to enable the EAA and elevate the CRPD and its impact for the European common market.

Hosted by

AccessibleEU (Project leader: Fundación ONCE)

Spain

Preview to the Zero Project Latinamerica Conference 2024

Carola Rubia, Executive Director of Fundación Descúbreme, gives a preview of the Zero Project Latin America Conference in May 2024 in Santiago de Chile.

Leveraging social media, gaming, radio, and YouTube for education, networking, and employment

Explore how to boost skills via Lego robotics, social media for parental support, IT gamification, anti-violence apps, and IT jobs for the visually impaired in this Session.

Zunami and the Special Dance Crew Performance

Zunami and the Special Dance Crew visually explain music in the context of what you hear and see. Join a Hip Hop Performance in International Sign Language.

Can a social enterprise by a man with Down syndrome change the disability support landscape?

Keynote Speech: Shani Dhanda

Shani Dhanda is a Disability Inclusion & Accessibility Consultant that has been recognised as the UK's most influential disabled person and the BBC's 100 Women Laureate of 2020.

Forum on Climate Change and Humanitarian Crises

Global leaders and seasoned practitioners deliberate on disability-inclusive responses to climate change ramifications and humanitarian crises such as wars and natural disasters.

AccessibleEU Workshop: Built Environment and Tourism

Hosted by

AccessibleEU (Project leader: Fundación ONCE)

Spain

AccessibleEU Workshop: ICT and Digital Transformation

Hosted by

AccessibleEU (Project leader: Fundación ONCE)

Spain

AccessibleEU Workshop: Policies and Standardisation

Hosted by

AccessibleEU (Project leader: Fundación ONCE)

Spain

AccessibleEU Workshop: Transport

Hosted by

AccessibleEU (Project leader: Fundación ONCE)

Spain

Can we ensure that AT is available to all who need it, wherever they need it?

Zero Project Scaling Solutions Fellows Pitch

Discover disability inclusion innovations ready to be scaled globally in three distinct Zero Project Scaling Solutions Sessions – Session 2/3.

Making Tehran an Accessible City for All: Lessons from the Urban Accessibility Plan

Smartphones - Assistive Technology shows its truly transformative potential

Smartphones can transform the lives of persons with disabilities, playing a pivotal role in ensuring that everyone has access to information, education, and employment opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.

Universally applicable early childhood interventions

Discover inclusive early child interventions, like a video guidance, an inclusive kindergarten, customized Down syndrome support, tactile play kits, and a cross-ministry coordination policy.

Expanding to Austria – Learn first-hand from innovative businesses in Vienna

The Global Disability Summit (GDS) 2025

The Global Disability Summit (GDS) is a unique global mechanism that improves the lives of persons with disabilities, especially from the Global South.

Exponential Improvement of Public Policies through Evidence-Based Advocacy

A human centred design of an online platform for organisations and persons with disabilities in Morocco

Discovery Awards 2024: Handover Ceremony

Join us in celebrating the Discovery Awardees 2024 - grassroot innovations created by and for persons with disabilities.

Hosted by

EnAble India

India

Bridging the Employment Gap: Skill-First for Equitable Hiring

Inclusive programs in arts, dance, and music for youth

Explore and experience inclusive arts education, sign language youth choirs, and dance for disability awareness in this transformative session.

Integration strategies for mainstream schools and youth services

Explore methods working on vocational inclusion, modular teacher training, integrated classroom support, after-school support, and community-driven accessibility measures.

Canada’s Research-based Accessibility Standards: A Cutting-edge Approach to Inclusion

Zero Project-India Forum

The Zero Project and its Indian partners showcase their work and describe opportunities for interested parties to join newly established programs.

Building a Robust Ecosystem of Support for Persons with Disabilities

The Art and Craft: Re-imagining the Future of Accessible & Creative Learning

A Model for Transforming Investment in Disability Inclusion

How can disability inclusive economies and industries be supported? This Session will provide answers, highlight approaches, and launch a new initiative in the disability inclusion investment world.

Disability Equality in the Media

Methods for teaching sign language and fostering signing communities

Experience good practices in building up signing communities, be it family sign language training in the Amazonas, schools pioneering bilingual deaf education, or ICT innovators developing a global sign language app.

To the moon and beyond: innovations in inclusive space education and outreach

Educational resources for visually impaired students

In this Session, participants delve into ICT for the visually impaired: from accessible devices in low-income areas to rapid Braille conversion of textbooks.

Principles of Universal Design in education

Leading experts in Universal Design explore its meaningful application in teaching and training, ensuring it is truly designed for all from the outset.

Work 4.0 for all: A new way to identify competencies and job opportunities

Entrepreneurship and leadership development for young people with disabilities

Acquire new insights in this Session regarding empowerment training by youth with disabilities, leadership mentoring, youth house services, self-employment support, and student-led innovation in inclusion.

A Startup Story: Why accessibility and inclusion should not be optional when starting a business.

Innovation Pitches: Promising tech-innovations and impact investors

In this fast-paced session, witness dynamic tech showcases connecting with impact investors, and then delve into the immediate feedback the investors themselves provide.

How the disability narrative works best on screen

Lights, Camera, Action! In this session, film industry representatives offer a beginner's guide into how to translate disability narratives into the medium of film.

Sync 25: Driving Toward a More Inclusive and Accountable Future

A World Accessible to All : How Journeyable Inspires Us to Journey Limitlessly

Three (or more?) reasons to expand to Vienna

Zero Project Scaling Solutions Fellows Pitch

Discover disability inclusion innovations ready to be scaled globally in three distinct Zero Project Scaling Solutions Sessions – Session 3/3.

Billion Strong Unites: Amplifying Voices for Inclusive Change

IAAP Professional Accessibility Certification and Membership Q&A

This interactive session by IAAP offers an informal discussion on capacity building and for networking. It is suitable for all participants, regardless of their level of expertise.

Hosted by

International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP)

United States

Keynote Speech: Minister Johannes Rauch

Johannes Rauch is the Austrian Federal Minister of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection.

Creating Value Through Disability-Inclusive Supply Chains

#ZeroCon24 Exhibition Showcase

Experience 25+ innovations on display at the #ZeroCon24 exhibition showcase from accessible educational materials at NASA to inclusive fashion and virtual reality solutions that enable all.

Interactive and Inclusive Dance Lessons

Innovative and inclusive dance classes led by renowned teachers provide a transformative and empowering experience for all participants.

Unsere persönlichen Highlights der #ZeroCon24

Inclusivity Snapshot: Showcasing the Essence of Japanese Innovation in Disability Inclusion

Join this Session for a dynamic 40-minute pitch session and panel discussion showcasing the innovative strides made by Japanese organizations, NGOs, foundations, and corporations in the realm of disability inclusion.

Forum of Self-Representatives of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities: Nothing about us, without us!

In this Forum Self-advocates wills share their experience with inclusive education models and suggest ways in which to focus training and teaching in such a way that it engages all from the beginning.

Menschen mit Behinderungen als Unternehmer in der Selbstständigkeit unterstützen

Making eGovernment work for persons with disabilities

The Governments of Azerbaijan and Ukraine offer their citizens with disabilities e-government solutions for automatic benefit receipt. This session will explore its applicability elsewhere.

Bringing disabled talent into Talent Pipelines for meaningful jobs and careers

Education specialists on German Universities: building inclusion from within (in German language)

This session is fully organized by Bildungsfachkräfte (education specialists), former students with intellectual disabilities who are now employed at several German universities, who discuss their work, their impact and their challenges.

Inclusive Education and Sport: sharing personal experiences

Disseminating affordable educational programmes and technology

Discover programmes that outline how to scale the enrollment of children with disabilities, facilitate low-cost therapy and education for remote children, provide accessible learning models, and develop UNICEF-backed technology-rollouts.

Unlock An Enabling (Purple) Economy Through Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)

European Union and Disability Rights, what next?

Robots for children: opportunities and challenges for inclusive education

Training in IT skills and job creation in the context of higher-income countries

Learn from good practices ranging from vocational IT training for inclusivity, digital employability for students with disabilities, and online courses for professional growth in this Session.

The Zero Project – Austria Inclusive Education Forum

The Zero Project – Austria Inclusive Education Forum is dedicated towards the Austrian interest groups in education and ICT, focusing on innovations in inclusive schooling, university education, ICT and employment in the IT-industry.

UniCredit Bank Austria as a pioneer for “accessibility and inclusion” in Europe

Building a Mountain from a Mold Hill: Transforming Lives through Innovation and Technology

Investing in Tomorrow: The Power of Long-Term Partnerships in Inclusive Fashion

World Bank's strategy for disability inclusion

Free resources to increase web accessibility

In this Session, explore free tools supporting web accessibility, like a support feature for colorblindness and open-source solutions for cross-disability computer access.

Treating Exclusion Like Pollution Revisited – Creating a double positive of reducing digital exclusion and energy consumption.

Taking a progressive approach to IncIusion in Marketing

Closing Ceremony and the New Zero Project Ambassador Unveiling

Closing Ceremony of the Zero Project Conference 2024

Inclusive Concert: White Hands Chorus NIPPON, Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9, Fourth Movement

Join the Zero Project family for this grand and inclusive final of the Zero Project Conference.