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The Zero Project, an initiative by the Essl Foundation, has been a beacon of innovation and collaboration in the realm of disability inclusion since its inception in 2013. Spearheaded by visionaries like Sabine Wachernig, the project has gained international recognition for its annual conference in Vienna, which showcases the most promising innovations in disability inclusion. This year, the focus on education and the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) highlights the project’s adaptability and forward-thinking approach.

“Every innovation shared at the #ZeroProject conference is a step towards universal accessibility. Excited for what’s ahead!” #TechForGood #axschat

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The Zero Project’s unique model facilitates a global exchange of ideas, bringing together stakeholders from various sectors, including non-governmental organizations, state agencies, and corporations, to share innovative projects. This collaborative environment not only amplifies the impact of these innovations but also addresses the challenge of duplication in the sector, ensuring efforts are not wasted but rather, synergized to foster greater inclusivity.

How To Build Accessibility Into Business Systems – AXSChat Podcast

AI is rewriting job descriptions, regulators are getting sharper, and accessibility teams are being asked to prove value faster than ever. So we put Neil Milliken in the spotlight to talk about his leap from leading global accessibility at Atos to founding Thrival Holdings, a boutique consultancy built around one simple idea: help organisations create the conditions where people thrive, not just survive. We dig into how AI in accessibility is changing the work without replacing the need for specialists. Neil breaks down why the future looks less like one-person “expert bottlenecks” and more like scalable accessibility governance: embedding accessibility knowledge into design and engineering workflows, using tools responsibly, and backing it all with regression testing so quality does not drift as models and codebases evolve. We also talk candidly about what happens to collaboration when companies downsize and people feel they must protect individual value. Then we zoom out to the policy and business side: the European Accessibility Act, real enforcement signals like French rulings that challenge misleading “percentage accessible” scores, and why compliance timelines rarely flip like a switch. We connect accessibility to ESG and sustainability by treating exclusion like pollution, a framing that helps leaders understand negative externalities, the curb cut effect, and the ROI of inclusive design across procurement, risk management, and reporting. If you care about digital accessibility, WCAG, disability inclusion, and building programs that last through AI and regulatory change, this conversation will give you language and strategy you can use immediately. Subscribe, share the episode with a colleague, and leave a review with the one metric you think would finally make accessibility non-negotiable.Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow axschat on social media.Bluesky:Antonio https://bsky.app/profile/akwyz.comDebra https://bsky.app/profile/debraruh.bsky.socialNeil https://bsky.app/profile/neilmilliken.bsky.socialaxschat https://bsky.app/profile/axschat.bsky.socialLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/antoniovieirasantos/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/axschat/https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilmilliken/Vimeohttps://vimeo.com/akwyzhttps://twitter.com/axschathttps://twitter.com/AkwyZhttps://twitter.com/neilmillikenhttps://twitter.com/debraruh

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2. How WelcoMe Lets Guests Share Access Needs Before Arrival 29:44
3. What If Event Accessibility Were The Default? 21:22
4. How Amazon Builds Workplace Accessibility For 1.5 Million Employees 29:23
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Moreover, the project’s commitment to scaling solutions demonstrates a pragmatic approach to inclusion. By identifying scalable, impactful innovations, providing upskilling training, and leveraging a vast network of partners, the Zero Project accelerates the diffusion of groundbreaking solutions, making a tangible difference in the lives of people with disabilities.

As it continues to grow, the Zero Project’s focus on regional conferences and the engagement of impact investors underlines its dedication to a more inclusive world. This strategic expansion ensures that innovations in disability inclusion can reach the corners of the globe, transforming lives and communities.

Scaling solutions for disability inclusion is at the heart of our mission. It’s about making real, tangible changes. #Innovation #axschat

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The Zero Project’s work is a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and shared vision. As it moves forward, its impact on disability inclusion continues to inspire, proving that with the right approach, a world without barriers is within reach.