Event agenda

Opening Ceremony

Join us for energy and emotion as we open the Zero Project Conference 2025!

Connect to collaborate: Discover Vienna by Vienna Business Agency

Keynote: Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Chief Accessibility Officer, Microsoft

Innovating in the age of AI

Digital training platforms and ecosystem building in inclusive employment

With training and upskilling happening online more than ever, the need for accessible and inclusive employment training has become critical.

Zero Project Scaling Solutions: Partner Session

This session introduces the partners involved in Scaling Solutions, namely, the Essl Foundation, Fundación Descúbreme, GIZ on behalf of BMZ, Atos, EnAble India and the programme's facilitator, Inclusive Creation.

Using data to foster inclusive employment

This couch session highlights how organizations have been successful in collecting and leveraging data to hire and retain persons with disabilities.

SK Rapid – Total Inclusion through Football

Innovating for Inclusion: AI’s Role in the Future of Aging and Disability

New solutions for the sheltered workshop system

Sheltered workshops remain a reality in most countries in the world. This forum examines the reasons behind this violation of the CRPD and highlights how global good practices are moving persons with disabilities out of sheltered workshops.

Accessibility and Inclusion in Museums – Best Practice Examples

This fireside chat showcases the initiative of the inclusive museums guide and explores the possibilities of museums to be inclusive on the example of the Rijksmuseum in the Netherlands.

In-Room Networking

30 minutes of networking time in the M2 room. Please use the messaging function to contact interesting participants ahead of time.

Putting the I in ESG: Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Sustainability Practices

In cooperation with the ILO Global Business and Disability Network - How companies, investors and standard setters can effectively put the “I” - Inclusion - in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and other sustainability frameworks.

Hosted by

International Labour Organization (ILO)

Switzerland

Discover Vienna: Zero Barriers - 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 2025 program – a unique program from Vienna Business Agency that allows the startups to explore Vienna’s impact-driven ecosystem.

Hosted by

Vienna Business Agency

Austria

How to run a business as a deafblind person

Entrepreneurs need to be resilient, and innovative. This session highlights the journeys, case studies, innovative strategies, and the role of technology in overcoming dual-sensory challenges to build independent and thriving businesses.

The Economic Cost of Language Disorders in Saudi Arabia

Small organizations as inclusion champions

The Zero Project Awardees in this session illustrate how small organizations can catalyze change around the world as inclusion champions, be it in New Zealand, Lithuania, or elsewhere.

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) | Ready, Set, Go! A workshop to help you assess your EEA compliance

The European Accessibility Act establishes mandatory accessibility requirements for key products and services, including IT, digital platforms, and transport systems.

Hosted by

International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP)

United States

An Afternoon of Innovation and Impact: The ‘Concept Car’ Approach

This thematic afternoon during Day One of #ZeroCon25 combines theory and practice, giving space to important conversations on the burgeoning industry of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that works for all.

From the Pitch to the Workplace: Accessibility and Inclusivity in European Football

The session will highlight the strategic approach led by UEFA, the governing body of European football, to ensure equal rights and opportunities for all who want to play, attend events, or work in the sport.

Launching ’Everybody Wins a Balloon!’

Inclusive employment strategies of large companies

What are the strategies of global leaders in inclusive employment? Zero Project Awardees from three continents will highlight their innovative practices in this session.

Action! Disability Filmmakers

Zero Project Scaling Solutions: Fellow Presentation (1/2)

Discover disability inclusion innovations ready to be scaled across borders in two distinct Zero Project Scaling Solutions Sessions – Session 1/2.

Promoting inclusive digital access to employment opportunities and information

Who gets to work? Employment Progress for People with Disabilities in Canada

Microfinance models by and for persons with disabilities

This forum highlights successful models and strategies from the African and Asia-Pacific regions, created by and for persons with disabilities.

How Microsoft's Neurodiversity Hiring Program fuels workplace capabilities in today's fast-paced technological landscape

In-Room Networking

30 minutes of networking time in the M2 room. Please use the messaging function to contact interesting participants ahead of time.

Government-led services

This session features Zero Project Awardees that are innovating in a variety of ways, be it with request for proposals or supported employment.

NDEI: Neurodiversity Employer Index - lead the way for neuroinclusion in the workplace

We know neurodiverse teams perform better. A thriving organisation needs big-picture thinkers, people who notice the crucial details, team players, innovators and creative problem solvers.

Canada’s Cutting-edge Approach to Accessibility and Inclusion

Keynote: Minister Alessandra Locatelli, Ministro per le disabilità, Italian Republic

The first-ever G7 Ministerial Meeting on Inclusion and Disability was held in October 2024. Minister Locatelli highlights how the Solfagnano Charter that came out of the G7 meeting will be translated into demonstratable action and impact.

Inclusive AI Future: Balancing Risks and Opportunities in Education for Persons with Disabilities

Keynote: Mahsa Tahzibi, Founder, Deaf Health

How can deaf health drive inclusive employment and advocacy in Iran? Join for insights in this keynote session from Mahsa Tahzibi, Founder of Deaf Health in Iran

Dinner and an Act: The Lőrinc Barabas Quartet

Join us to recap, rewind, and relax after day one of the Zero Project Conference 2025. Renowned Hungarian trumpet artist Lőrinc Barabas will accompany this networking dinner with original jazz.

Presentation of day two highlights

The #ZeroCon25 moderators will outline the highlights of day two of the Zero Project Conference 2025.

Keynote: Jutta Treviranus, Professor and Director, Canada Inclusive Design Research Centre

Is the destabilization of employment by AI an opportunity to reimagine work? How can we counter the homogenization of the workforce by AI mechanized statistical reasoning in hiring & promotion tools?

Professionals with disabilities in health-care careers

This forum will emphasize how inclusive employment in healthcare can benefit not only those hired, but the level of care and quality of care of persons with disabilities in the healthcare sector.

Adopting an Intersectional Lens: Research on Co-Vulnerabilities

Successful Employee Advocacy Initiatives: Experiences in the UN and Ministries of Foreign Affaires

Zero Project Scaling Solutions: Fellow Presentation (2/2)

Discover disability inclusion innovations ready to be scaled across borders in two distinct Zero Project Scaling Solutions Sessions – Session 2/2.

Troublegang: Superpowers instead of handicaps

The reality of working in the arts for Creators, Performers and Exhibitors

This fireside chat showcases a multi-disciplinary initiative of Cope Foundation, offers a government-funded, four-year employment programme for intellectually disabled artists to transition from amateur to professional, providing mentoring, education, and

Creating a disability confident civil service

This couch session highlights solutions that have transformed civil service organizations into disability-confident organizations through the use of employee resource groups within government ministries and other tools.

Quality prosthetics becoming globally available and affordable

New technologies such as 3D-printing and mind-controlled prosthesis—as well as new channels of dissemination—are proving to be a gamechanger in the availability and affordability of prosthetics for arms and legs.

The reality of working in the arts - Trumpet: Lőrinc Barabás

This fireside chat showcases the pathway of the Hungarian trumpet and disabled artists Lőrinc Barabás, who founded The Barabás Lőrinc Quartet in 2015 to bring back team spirit.

An Afternoon of Innovation: AI for All

This thematic afternoon during Day Two of #ZeroCon25 combines theory and practice, giving space to important conversations on the burgeoning industry of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that works for all.

Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)

Innovative solutions are needed—and are already in action—to address the impact of the climate crisis and other crises on persons with disabilities worldwide.

VEM CA - An accessibility and inclusion self-diagnosis for companies and inclusive worksand inclusive works

Power of internships

Discover the Zero Project Awardees from the public, business, and arts sectors that are driving change with their paid internship programmes, which have allowed persons with disabilities to get a foothold in prestigious companies and industries.

In-Room Networking

30 minutes of networking time in the M3 room. Please use the messaging function to contact interesting participants ahead of time.

Discussion: Burnout in the freelance accessibility industry. How to cope?

Arts as a job promotor

The arts are essential to societal cohesion around the world and provide respite for all. This session features Zero Project Awardees that have excelled in creating sustainable employment programmes in the fields of theater, film, music, and museums.

AI+Disability - Coded Futures: Better Opportunities or Biased Outcomes?

Inclusive Resilience: Integrating Disability into Crisis Response and Climate Action

From Barriers to Bridges: How Zero Project Designs Accessible Conferences

Business strategies in mid-income countries

This session highlights Zero Project Awardees from India, Colombia, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia, underlining how they have developed inclusive employment strategies for businesses in a variety of industries.

Boosting Digital and Assistive Technology Skills for Inclusive Employment

Building a business case in the media industry

This session explores how to create a strong and compelling business case for disability inclusion in the media industry.

Tech solutions for deaf and hard of hearing individuals

This session highlights Zero Project Awardees that leverage sign language and AI-driven solutions to improve accessibility and inclusion for the deaf community.

The Business Case for Disability-Driven Innovation

Entrepreneurship support programmes for persons with disabilities

Five Zero Project Awardees from Latin America and Africa prove otherwise, highlighting how to build and grow entrepreneurship ecosystems for persons with disabilities, with or without a traditional accelerator programme setup.

Global Disability Conferences in 2025: Call to Action

Join this session featuring more than ten organizers of international disability-related conferences in 2025. Explore their meeting spaces and discuss opportunities to collaborate and engage with all of these global disability conferences.

Job creation for persons with intellectual disabilities

Zero Project Awardees from Europe highlight their innovative solutions regarding job creation for persons with intellectual disabilities in this session.

Billion Strong Rising: Thriving in Impossible Times

The reality of working in the arts - Breakdancers: Jacob “Kujo” Lyons and Selene Almeida

Interactive Inclusive Dance Class

The inclusive dance teachers Petra Schön from Lillis Ballroom, Branislav Zdravković from Special Dance Crew, and Connie Vandarakis from DanceAbility International, will lead this interactive dance lesson that will blend movement and accessibility.

Hosted by

Lillis Ballroom

Austria

Award Ceremony

The Zero Project Awards 2025 for inclusive Employment, and ICT will honor innovative solutions from across the globe and all sectors of society. Be sure to tune in and celebrate our Awardees.

Presentation of day three highlights

The #ZeroCon25 moderators will outline the highlights of day three of the Zero Project Conference 2025.

Was bedeutet Arbeit für uns? - Texte und Erfahrungen zu Arbeit & Inklusion

How to build AI that works for your organization

This forum goes beyond the hype around artificial intelligence (AI) and shows how DPOs, service providers, NGOs, and small organizations can develop AI tools for disability inclusion.

How to train medical staff on making accessible healthcare for persons with disabilities

The workplace and AI – solutions and considerations for persons with disabilities

This couch session seeks to highlight practical opportunities for all when it comes to AI and our jobs.

Scaling Inclusion: Turning Promises into Practices

The reality of working in the arts - Violinist: Amber Correa

This Fireside chat showcases a young artist with disabilities of colour Amber Correa.

Zero Project Young Voices Perspectives: Navigating Employment, and ICT

The Zero Project Young Voices program gives a stage and space to young persons with disabilities, not because of their disabilities, but because of their strengths, skills, and expertise.

Zero Project Call for Nominations 2026 (#ZeroCall26) – Nominate, Innovate, Elevate!

The Zero Project Call for Nominations 2026 (#ZeroCall26) will be centred around the topic and theme of Accessibility, ICT, and Crisis Response.

ICT career paths for the deaf community

This session will highlight Zero Project Awardees from South Africa and China that are removing barriers and promoting job opportunities in the apprenticeship and mobile app development space.

Forum der Selbstvertreter von Menschen mit Lernschwierigkeiten (with English translation)

Forum of Self-Representatives of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities - Selbstvertreter tauschen ihre Erfahrungen mit integrativen Beschäftigungsmodellen aus und erörtern Möglichkeiten des Übergangs von geschützten Werkstätten in die Arbeitswelt.

Disabled Peoples Organizations as 360° Facilitators

Disabled People’s Organizations (DPOs) often hold together the disability inclusion workstreams between the business, public, and civil sector in countries around the world.

Discovery Awards 2025: Handover Ceremony

Join us in celebrating the Discovery Awardees 2025 - grassroot innovations created by and for persons with disabilities. The Discovery Awards are global and recognize, as well as share practical and simple life hacks across the disability community.

Closing Ceremony and the New Zero Project Ambassador Unveiling

All good things must come to an end. Join us for a recap of three energetic and engaging days of #ZeroCon25. The new Zero Project Ambassadors will also be announced on this occasion.