Conference
Findings of the International
Zero Project Report 2012
June 21, 2012
European Parliament, Brussels
A world without barriers
Findings of the Zero Report 2012 –
The implementation of UNCPRD Art. 9
and Good Practices in Accessibility
Michael Fembek, Essl Foundation
The Founders of the Essl Foundation
The Essl Foundation
Mission:
o
Supporting social innovation and
social entrepreneurship
o
Working for a world without barriers
Major projects of the Essl Foundation
o Essl Social Prize: 1 Million Euro p. a.
o Zero Project
o Supporting Venture Philanthropy in Austria with
a joint group of foundations: „Sinnstifter“
o Supporting Ashoka and social
entrepreneurshop in Austria and neighbouring
countries
The Essl Foundation
Where does the
commitment come from?
The bauMax company group
Key facts about bauMax:
o
Sale of home improvement and DoIt-Yourself products
o
In 9 countries: Austria, Croatia,
o
1,6 bn € turnover (2011), 11.000
employees
Czech Republic, Hungary, Rumania,
Slovakia, Bulgaria,, Turkey
The bauMax company group
Employment program at bauMax
260 persons with disabilities employed
Employment program at bauMax
Partnerships to sell products of NGOs like
Easter markets, Christmas markets
Employment program at bauMax
Annual „Action Day“ to promote
joint activities of employees with NGOs
Employment program at bauMax
Promoting activities with an intranet site
Employment program at bauMax
Bi-Annual award for outstanding activities
Winner 2011: Basketball tournament and Breakdance in the car park
of the market in Ploiesti/Romania
Employment program
Key facts from Austria`s program:
•
158 of 4291 employees have a disability
•
Focus on employees with mental or psychological
disabilities
•
Fostering apprenticeships and internship to find the
most suited employees
•
Cooperations with „Working Assistance“ for
organisational and psychological support
•
Fully employed
•
Adjustments in the internal cost calculation systems
•
Promoting mentors and partnerships
•
Accessibility of markets
Accessibility program at bauMax
Mission of the Zero Project
o
“For a world without barriers”
o
Supporting
the
implementation
of
the
UN
Convention for persons with disabilities (CRPD)
o
Improving practices and policies
o
Research, data and transparency
o
Building platforms and partnerships
The Zero Project
Social Indicators
Report
Good Practices
Website
Good Policies
Conference
Zero Project - Indicators
o
21 social indicators constructed and researched for
the third time
o
Expert panel worldwide
o
Answers with a traffic light system, plus explanations
o
Adding to leading social indicator systems like ANED
Zero Project Indicators – example
Zero Project Indicators – example
Zero Project Indicators 2013
Country Coverage (June 2013)
Zero Project – Good Practices
o
Finding and highlighting outstanding social
innovations – “Bottom Up”- Approach
o
In cooperation with Ashoka International
o
Nominations by appx. 400 experts worldwide
o
Selected by expert panel
Zero Project – Good Policies
o
Finding
and
highlighting
outstanding
regulations and laws – “Top Down”-Approach
o
In cooperation with World Future Council
o
Nominations by appx 400 experts worldwide
o
Selected by Scientific Advisory Board of the
Zero Project
Zero Project - Conference 2012
o
240 participants from 30 countries
o
Parliamentarians, foundations, NGOs, academics, international
organisations, leading adminstration stuff etc.
o
Discussing just 8 good policies from around the world (including
Canada, British Columbia)
o
More than a 100 contributors and partners from 35 countries
Zero Project - Conference 2012
… and how it happened …
Indicators about accesibility
Accessibility of new buildings (question no. 1)
o
27 of 35 countries have legislation in place
o
Among the “offenders”: Hungary, Sweden
o
Confined to “reasonability”
o
Law does not mean Practice
o
Sanctions? In Austria only “damage compensation”
but nur right to accessibility
Indicators about accesibility
Legal time frame for accessibility to buildings where there
is public access (question no. 2)
o
Only 8 countries have such legislation in place (Bulgaria,
Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia, United Kingdom or Turkey
(deadline was 2011!)
o
In most countries accessibility has only to be established
during renovation (Italy) or only to some buildings or for
some disabilities.
o
In Austria: until end of 2015, ministries can “opt” for an
extension until 2019 (for budget reasons)
Indicators about accesibility
Accessibility of medical practices (question no. 13)
o
Several countries have, quite surprisingly, no rules at all
(Albania, Bosnia but also France and Germany) – but of
course related to general accesibility regulations
o
Regulation differs from practice also in the medical practice
o
Similar issues exist with the accessibility of pharmacies
(study of 2010)
Indicators about accesibility
Education/Training of architects (study 2010)
o
There seems to be not one country where there is
an obligatory training/education for students in
architecture when it comes to accessibility
o
The same is true for engineering and planning
companies, plumbers etc (not asked but always
mentioned by experts).
Indicators about accesibility
Accessibility of public buses (question no. 3)
o
Only three countries have public buses that are accessible to
all those with disabilities (Israel, Netherlands, UK)
o
In the vast majority of countries some buses are accessible
to some persons with disabilities.
o
Training of staff is neglected in many countries, but most
important to certain persons with disabilities.
Indicators about accesibility
Accessibility of warning systems (question no. 3)
o
In only three countries (Denmark, Netherlands,
UK) are the states`early warning systems also
accesible to all persons with disabilities.
o
In some countries efforts are being made to
deilver visual warnings for deaf people, e.g. in
Belgium.
Selected Good Practices
Examples regarding access to information and the internet
o
The Accessibility Foundation (The Netherlands): promote the
inclusive accessibility of the internet by informing, inspiring
and educating.
o
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Clubs Association of Slovenia: A
Web-TV program, compiled and comprehensive
o
Wheelmap.org
(Germany):
Accessibility
Information
for
wheelchair users in an interactive map, where everyone can
contribute personal experiences in their city