We’re thrilled to share that the Inclusive Design Standards have been shortlisted for the Zero Project Awards 2026!
The Zero Project is a global, research-driven initiative advancing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) by spotlighting innovative solutions that remove barriers for people with disabilities. This year’s Call for Nominations focused on Accessibility, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and Crisis Response, receiving 586 nominations from 93 countries. Of these, 163 solutions from 68 countries were shortlisted—including ours.
In the U.S., fewer than 1% of homes are wheelchair accessible, and federal accessibility requirements haven’t been updated in decades. Many people with disabilities are left out of housing design and operations altogether. The Inclusive Design Standards address this gap by providing a cross-disability framework to create housing where people with and without disabilities can thrive. Organized into six categories—Design Process, Site, Building Components, Interior Spaces, Dwelling Units, and Operations—they guide the entire lifecycle of a project. When implemented, they support housing that is inclusive, accessible, affordable, and equitable.
Being shortlisted means our work will be featured alongside other innovative solutions worldwide, and awardees will have the opportunity to present at the Zero Project Conference 2026 at the United Nations office in Vienna.
Congratulations to all shortlisted initiatives advancing a disability-forward future—and thank you to the Zero Project Network for considering us.