Barrier-Free at ETH Zurich

Sub-project manager: Dominik Jenni, Real Estate Management

This sub-project focuses on expanding existing expertise and establishing new expertise in terms of applicable legislation and standards, and most importantly the overarching concept of “design for all”. This expertise will be applied to construction-based measures in existing and new buildings; for example, the evacuation concept and the implementation of signage.

Barrier-​free compliance in new buildings and renovations

The sub-project was completed and the results were transferred to daily business.

Sub-project manager: Dominik Jenni, Real Estate Management

This sub-project focuses on using the established expertise (SP1) to generate "design for all" guidelines to be implemented internally at ETH and communicated externally.

Barrier-​free compliance in new buildings and renovations

The sub-project was completed and the results were transferred to daily business.

Sub-project manager: Dominik Jenni, Real Estate Management

Based on the established expertise (SP1) and implemented guidelines (SP2), this sub-project focuses on generating a concept for barrier-free compliance in new buildings and large-scale renovations. An effective quality management system will be established.

Barrier-​free compliance in new buildings and renovations

The sub-project was completed and the results were transferred to daily business.

Sub-project manager: Rainer Schwab, Facility Management

This sub-project focuses on introducing periodic inspections when the buildings are operational to ensure barrier-free access to the buildings and barrier-free movement within the buildings.

The sub-project was completed and the results were transferred to daily business.

Sub-project manager: Corinne Jordan, Campus Services

This sub-project focuses on general orientation to and within the building (rooms, floors, lifts, etc.). It also ensures that barrier-free routes (e.g. ramps and lifts to avoid stairs) and routes to the information desks are adequately signposted.

ETH Zurich signage guidelines

Sub-project manager: Roland Nisple, SSHE

This sub-project focuses first on upgrading the audio/visual alarm systems, and second on devising a barrier-free escape/evacuation concept.

The sub-project was completed and the results were transferred to daily business.

Sub-project manager: Thomas Meissner and Andrea Stutz, Campus Services

Sub-project 7 is dedicated to making events barrier-free. A web page devoted to organising inclusive, accessible events is available to all ETH members. The University has also purchased barrier-free registration desks for events so that people in wheelchairs can be welcomed at eye level. Financial support for sign language interpreting at ETH events will be offered for the duration of the sub-project until Q2/24.

Organising inclusive, accessible events

The sub-project was completed and the results were transferred to daily business.

Sub-project manager: Betty Friedrich-Grube, PMO

This sub-project will focus on implementing ad hoc measures that will enable ETH members with a disability or impairment to work or study. ETH members’ individual concerns and enquiries will be examined and implemented as a matter of priority. As the implementation programme progresses, individual enquiries should dwindle or become redundant as a result of the structural improvements achieved in other sub-projects.

Sub-project manager: Dominik Jenni, Real Estate Management

This sub-project focuses on adapting existing buildings in line with “design for all” and SIA 500. Measures that minimise risk or significantly enhance compliance will be implemented as a matter of priority.

Barrier-​free compliance in new buildings and renovations

Sub-project manager: Romila Storjohann, VPIN

Sub-project 10 focuses on informing ETH members about the topic of “accessibility” and aiding their understanding of a barrier-free university through articles, events and campaigns or an interactive exhibition in the building OCT.

campaign and events "design for all"

Sub-project manager: Manu Heim, CC

This sub-project focuses on ensuring that our communication channels are barrier-free through developing or revising guidelines, carrying out training and verifying barrier-free communication on an ongoing basis. Existing communication channels are also adapted to ensure that they are barrier-free.

Digital accessibility

Sub-project manager: Hans-Peter Dennler, ITS

This sub-project focuses on upgrading the ETH app to enable barrier-free orientation on campus and in the ETH Zurich buildings. The barrier-free guidance must also be revised on the ETH website.

Sub-project manager: Anton Bolfing, UTL

Sub-protect 13 involves developing and broadening specialist knowledge regarding barrier-free teaching materials. Existing teaching applications are being checked for accessibility and updated accordingly. Lecturers are also being advised and supported with information and training to ensure that their teaching and their teaching materials are accessible in the future.

e-Accessibility

The sub-project was completed and the results were transferred to daily business.

Sub-project manager: André Reichmuth and Cindy Hertach (Stv. Merja Hoppe), ETH Library

Sub-project 14 focuses on developing and expanding expertise on barrier-free library media and making it available online. Employees of ETH libraries are also offered training and awareness courses. Accessible study spaces are being set up in some libraries.

ETH Library / Accessibility

The sub-project was completed and the results were transferred to daily business.