This year\u2019s Zero Project Conference<\/a> was the first one I ever attended, but since this inspiring event founded by the Essl Foundation will be on top of my list to join again. Hosted by the United Nations<\/a> in the Vienna International Center, the topic of this happening gets it\u2019s adequate frame. More than 600 participants from more than 70 countries presented their approaches for a more inclusive and accessible world by providing equality for all people.<\/p>\n

Breaking barriers<\/h2>\n

Within the last years more and more posts appeared especially in my social media channels about the policies and practices that a mesmerising number of 4k experts contributed to the Zero Project. They relate to a broad variety of different projects supporting the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD)<\/a>. With a four years research cycle on four different topics the team of Martin Essl did also this year an excellent job.<\/p>\n

When you first arrive at this location, passing the security procedures before you meet so many new people and of course also a lot of old friends too, you get the initial picture of what will come up to you within the next three days. The opening ceremony moderated by Caroline Casey was a marvellous moment. She had this power and empathie to cast a spell over you. Since that session my journey began for a more inclusive society. (Ok. I\u2019m already working on web accessibility related issues for several years now, but this events starts your afterburner and you want to achieve more!) <\/p>\n

One of the first smart people I met was Mikael Snaprud from Tingtun who built an accessibility checking tool<\/a> for evaluating websites at a large scale. He inspired me initially to a scalable web accessibility improvement solution combined with the ideological liability of our project from the Austrian Web Accessibility Certificate Initiative. It can enhance not only the legal responsibility but also provides empowerment of workforce and education sector. I hopefully meet him soon to collaborate in this matter. <\/p>\n

One of the most touching moments I had during that conference was a video from the Canadian Down Syndrome foundation. See for yourself. <\/p>\n

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