Mumbai, September 8, 2026: The Zero Project Conference India 2026, hosted by Youth4Jobs Foundation & Zero Project, concluded today at Aurika by Lemon Tree Hotels, Mumbai International Airport, bringing together government representatives, global and Indian leaders, innovators, businesses, organisations and people with disabilities for a day of dialogue and collaboration towards a world with zero barriers.
Held under the theme “Building Bridges between Global Network and Innovations,” the one-day conference connected India’s disability inclusion ecosystem with the Zero Project’s international network, with around 15 international visitors joining leading voices and changemakers from India.
The conference commenced with the lamp lighting ceremony, led by Smt. V. Vidyavathi, IAS, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Smt. Manmeet K. Nanda, IAS, Additional Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment; Maharshi Vaishnav, Chief Executive Officer, Motilal Oswal Foundation; Michael Fembek, President, Zero Project International and Member of the Board, Essl Foundation, Austria; and Smt. Manisha Verma, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Skills, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Department, Government of Maharashtra.
Advancing Assistive Technology | Grassroots Innovation | Women’s Leadership
The first panel, “Scaling Assistive Technology Ecosystems in the Global South,” examined how assistive technology can drive inclusion, independence and economic participation, with experts discussing the need to strengthen local ecosystems and create sustainable pathways for scale.
This was followed by “Grassroots Innovations: Stories of Local Impact,” showcasing locally driven innovations from India and Ukraine that are improving the livelihoods of persons with disabilities at the last mile.
A dedicated session on “Women with Disabilities and the Importance of Leadership Roles and Entrepreneurship” highlighted the leadership and entrepreneurial contributions of women with disabilities and the importance of fostering youth leadership. The session also highlighted this intersectional issue, which is often overlooked in conferences.
Shaping the Future of Work and Inclusion
The afternoon programme turned to the changing landscape of work and the role of lived experience in shaping wider conversations. In the presentation, she demonstrated “Ability in Disability,” showcasing how persons with neurodiversity can participate in creative arts.
The discussions continued with “Reimagining Neurodiversity through Creativity, Art and Play,” highlighting creative expression, art and play as pathways for communication, learning, emotional expression and meaningful participation in mainstream spaces.
The panel “The Future of Work for Persons with Disabilities” examined how AI is redefining employment and shaping conversations around dignity and explored how emerging technologies can contribute to more equitable outcomes in the labour market.
Inclusive Education and Talent
The final sessions focused on Unpacking the Toolbox of Inclusive Education Models, examining innovative models, platforms, policies and practices that are expanding access to education and laying the foundation for lifelong participation and sustainable employment.
The programme also featured a fireside chat between Balaji Parthasarathy, CEO, Tata Power Solar Limited, and Meera Shenoy, Founder-CEO, Youth4Jobs. The discussion highlighted the successful model of integrating persons with disabilities into the solar sector at scale, showcasing how inclusive employment can create meaningful livelihood opportunities.
The conference concluded on an inspiring note with “Ability Beyond Barriers,” an inclusive dance and song performance by students with intellectual disabilities from Jai Vakeel Foundation and Research Centre. Their vibrant performance brought the day’s conversations on inclusion, creativity and possibility to a powerful close, leaving the audience with a memorable reminder that talent and potential know no barriers.
About Youth4Jobs
Youth4Jobs Foundation works towards economic independence for youth with disabilities by providing 21st-century skills and connecting them with sustainable livelihood opportunities and social security. It collaborates with companies, government bodies and NGOs and operates SwarajAbility, South Asia’s leading AI-driven, fully accessible livelihood platform for persons with disabilities, connecting users to employment, skilling and enterprise opportunities. Recently two additional platforms Y4J learnings, an accessible Learning Management System and a digital showcase for AT AD devices have been added to the SwarajAbility platform. The platform has received several national and international recognitions, including the NASSCOM Foundation TechForGood Award, WIT Award for Social Impact – APAC, D4GX India Empowerment Challenge, World Summit Award 2025 for Inclusion & Empowerment, iF Social Impact Prize 2024, eNortheast Award 2023, and recognition from the MIT Solve Global Economic Prosperity Challenge.
