Richard's Blog: My Experience at the Zero Project Conference

The Zero Project Conference is probably the largest international event addressing accessibility for people with disabilities. Held at the UN in Vienna, it’s a fascinating and inspiring melting pot of diverse people, ideas and cultures. This year, 1,400 people from 100 countries attended.

As a leading human rights–based organisation, we had been asked to share our work on accessibility across two very different areas of life – healthcare and events – at conference sessions. Heather Gilchrist, a self-advocate and colleague at Enable, and I were delighted to do so.

We were in great and diverse company! Speaking alongside us were senior figures from the UN, representatives from tech firms Google and Microsoft, and business leaders from companies including insurance giant AXA and global beauty company L'Oréal, amongst others. All had fascinating insight to share on their work relating to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

What two things did I take away from the event?

Firstly, there are many similarities — and some stark differences — in approaches towards accessibility and DEI across countries and continents. I’m proud that Enable’s work was recognised as a leader of global practice.

Secondly, the power of lived experience. I’m sure few came away from Heather’s session remembering much else. You can read all about Heather’s experience in her own words here – Heather’s Blog. Her powerful story of the challenges in accessing what should be readily available, routine and potentially life-saving screening captivated the audience like no other.

Taking our vision to build an equal society to a global audience is crucial to the work we do. It allows us to form meaningful and purposeful partnerships with corporations, governments and NGOs to truly address barriers to inclusion.

Building an equal society for all should have no borders. Through the voices of our self-advocates like Heather, we can share our learning with our European partners and across the globe, and bring back to Scotland what we ourselves learn from others. We all strive in unity to work for an equal society where everyone has the right to live, work and participate no matter where you live in the world.

You can read all about Heather’s experience in her own words here – Heather’s Blog.