archive

“Greater digital accessibility for all” Internal News 10/24
The ETH Library is offering new services to improve access to print media and electronic documents – added value for all ETH members. A feature on the ETH website also now gives all users a choice: read or be read to?

“Accessible events from A to Z” Internal News 10/24
Various events put the topics of accessibility and disability on the agenda during the Disability Rights Action Days at ETH Zurich – a review. Are you planning an event at ETH yourself? A service is available to help you organise barrier-free events.

“New videos on the topic of accessibility” Internal News 06/24
How can I make my lessons and learning materials accessible? What challenges do neurodivergent students face? Various videos answer questions about accessibility in a creative way. A new video from the ETH Library is also available in sign language for the first time.

“Barrier-free Access to ETH buildings” Internal News 06/24
The majority of ETH Zurich buildings are not yet barrier-free. In addition to a lack of automatic entrance doors or insufficient wheelchair-accessible toilet facilities, many buildings are not yet equipped with the new barrier-free signage. Two projects have started work and aim to make ETH barrier-free over the next twenty years.

“Accessibility is a permanent task” (Internal News 05/24)
How accessible is ETH Zurich? On the occasion of the “Rights of Persons with Disabilities Action Days” taking place throughout Switzerland from mid-May to mid-June, Ulrich Weidmann, Vice President for Infrastructure, takes stock of the “Barrier-free at ETH Zurich” programme and explains what still needs to be done.

“Completed projects in the “Barrier-free” programme” (Internal News 03/24)
Four projects in the “Barrier-Free at ETH Zurich” program were successfully completed at the end of 2023. The quarterly reporting provides a comprehensive overview of all ongoing activities and results achieved in the 14 sub-projects. All projects have the common goal of making ETH Zurich's infrastructure accessible in accordance with the "Design for all" principle.

“New events in the “Barrier-free” programme” (Internal News 03/24)
As part of the Disability Rights Action Days, ETH Zurich is presenting the "Design for all" campaign and organizing various events: learn sign language in the "Café des Signes", change your perspective in the newly designed awareness workshop or explore the ETH buildings with the new accessible navigation app "PolyMaps".

“Technical innovations in the “Barrier-free” programme” (Internal News 01/24)
Since the autumn semester 2023, automatic subtitling of lecture recordings and further information on the topic of accessible videos have been offered for the first time. The accessible navigation app "PolyMaps" won the GIS Excellence Award 2023.

“Further progress with the “Barrier-free” programme” (Internal News 10/23)
The ETH Library is offering new services contributing to a barrier-free learning environment. Moreover, the room acoustics in various meeting rooms have been improved. You are invited to a webinar on 24 October to learn more about the “Principles of universal design (design for all)”.

“How barrier-free is ETH?” (Internal News 09/23)
You can attend workshops in October at which ETH is ‘experienced’ in a wheelchair or with a white stick and simulation glasses – please register and come along! Furthermore, there are new directions to ETH buildings for visually impaired and blind people. And another sub-project has now been completed.

Download “How barrier-free is ETH?” (PDF, 8.3 MB) (ETH life 08/23)
The “Barrier-Free at ETH Zurich” project has been running for two years with the aim of ensuring that everyone can access our university as far as possible. Have we achieved this goal yet? life spoke to those affected and the project manager – and we even tested it ourselves.

“News from the “Barrier-free” programme” (Internal News 07/23)
Accessibility remains an important issue for ETH Zurich. A new exhibition charts the progress made so far by the “Barrier-free at ETH Zurich” programme, along with unresolved issues. In addition, the CHN building is being adapted to make it barrier-free, and a new website provides information about how to organise events that are accessible.

“Accessibility affects us all” (Internal News 05/23)
ETH Zurich does not yet offer a fully accessible environment. The university is therefore launching a new campaign in mid-April as part of its “Barrier-free at ETH Zurich” programme. The “Design for all” campaign includes clear goals such as “Make architecture accessible to all!” and “Break down the barriers to accessible teaching!”

“Accessibility at ETH – “Design for all” campaign” (Internal News 04/23)
ETH Zurich does not yet offer a fully accessible environment. The university is therefore launching a new campaign in mid-April as part of its “Barrier-free at ETH Zurich” programme. The “Design for all” campaign includes clear goals such as “Make architecture accessible to all!” and “Break down the barriers to accessible teaching!”

“Barrier-free ETH – a change of perspective and podium discussion” (Internal News 03/23)
In April and May, interested ETH members will have the chance to navigate the ETH campus in a wheelchair or with a white cane to gain a different perspective. This is one of the various events offered as part of the “Design for all” awareness campaign. ETH has now also published an accessibility statement.

“Barrier-free ETH – new registration desks and rescue blankets” (Internal News 02/23)
One of the aims of the “Barrier-free at ETH Zurich” programme is to make events at ETH more accessible. A panel discussion addressing the topic of “Accessibility and inclusion in higher education” is being held on 20 April. Come along and join the discussion!

“Experience accessibility at ETH at the “Rights of Persons with Disabilities” Action Days” (Internal News 08/22)
From 27 August until 10 September, ETH Zurich will be holding its university-wide “Rights of Persons with Disabilities” Action Days to raise awareness about disabled people’s rights and accessibility at ETH. Take advantage of the opportunity to discover more about these topics.

Reply (Polykum 1/22-23, p. 12)

“A change of perspective and wheelchair-suitable desks for increased accessibility at ETH” (Internal News 06/22)
This autumn, ETH is offering people the chance to navigate its campus in a wheelchair or with a white cane to gain a different perspective. In addition, there are more height-adjustable desks available for students in wheelchairs.

“Barrier-free ETH - Preparations for barrier-free navigation, alarm systems and evacuation procedures at ETH” (Internal News 04/22)
The “Barrier-free at ETH Zurich” programme was launched in early 2021. At present, the university is still some way from reaching this goal. Nevertheless, a variety of subprojects are now well on the way to making ETH as accessible as possible over the next few years.

“Barrier-free ETH – New courses, new public tours and a pilot” (Internal News 01/22)
At the beginning of 2021, the “Barrier-free at ETH Zurich” programme was launched. This aims to make the university as barrier-free as possible over the course of the next few years. New courses, new public tours and a large pilot project are planned for 2022.

“Barrier-free ETH – advances in room acoustics and teaching” (Internal News 10/21)
At the beginning of 2021, the “Barrier-free at ETH Zurich” programme was launched. This aims to make the university as barrier-free as possible over the course of the next few years. Progress has already been made in the fields of room acoustics and teaching.

“Barrier-free ETH – first quick wins” (Internal News 08/21)
The “Barrier-Free at ETH Zurich” programme – designed to make the university as accessible as possible over the course of the coming years – got under way at the beginning of 2021. The first measures have already been implemented in some of the sub-projects.

«There is ‘design-for-all’ that does not cost a thing!» (Interview at D-BSSE 05/21)
The programme ‘barrier-free at ETH Zurich’ is currently being rolled out. Romila Storjohann, Manager of this Programme, explains what the programme entails, which ‘design-for-all’ elements help everyone in work and study, and why introducing a culture of inclusivity is no top-down process. (English version only)

«Barrier-free ETH - things are moving forward» (Internal News 02/21)
The first meeting of the “Barrier-Free at ETH Zurich” steering committee took place in mid-January, and the leaders of the 14 sub-projects in the categories “Construction”, “Technology” and “Organisation” have begun to put together their teams and plan the next steps.

«Barrier-free at ETH: open access and open arms» (ETH life 12/20)
Over the coming years, a range of teams will be pulling together on 14 individual sub-projects in pursuit of a common goal: making working life and the student experience at ETH entirely barrier-free.

«Breaking down barriers» (Executive Board Update 06/20)
The Executive Board has signed off on the project’s sweeping master plan, which contains 15 sets of measures: nine for structural improvements, four for technological improvements and two for organisational improvements.

«Breaking barriers, raising awareness» (ETH Globe 01/20)
The ETH project «Barrier-Free at ETH Zurich» aims to eliminate barriers at the university.

Julian Heeb im Interview (ETH Alumni 06/19) (German version only)

«Making ETH barrier-free» (Internal News 02/19)

Events and campaign at the National Action Days for Disability Rights

As part of the National Action Days for Disability Rights (15th May - 15th June), ETH is presenting the "Design for all" campaign and organizing various events: learn sign language in the "Café des Signes", change your perspective in the awareness-raising workshop, explore the ETH buildings with the new barrier-free app "PolyMaps", or visit the newly equipped and barrier-free learning workstations of the ETH Library. You`ll find more information on this website.

Campaign "Design for all"

To raise awareness and share information, ETH Zurich will be staging the “Design for all” campaign on 17 April (new edition at the action days disability rights 2024). After all, this is an issue that affects us all: every day, we all encounter obstacles – some easier, others harder to overcome. The limitations imposed on us by our surroundings vary depending on our physical condition. Due to an accident, an illness or simply getting older, factors such as a steep flight of stairs, tiny print or poor room acoustics can suddenly present insurmountable barriers that exclude people with limited mobility or disabilities.

"A Change of Perspective" awareness-raising workshops

In this workshop, you will learn about the obstacles people with disabilities face on a daily basis and discover approaches to removing these obstacles. In A Change of Perspective, you will gain first-hand experience in a wheelchair or with a cane or simulation glasses, and feel how people with disabilities perceive their surroundings and what they have to do to find their way around. (With experts from external page Sensability.)

27.04.23, 1-5pm, ETH Hönggerberg, HPM H 33 (German)
10.05.23, 1-5pm, ETH Hönggerberg, HIT E 51 (German)
02.10.23, 4-6pm, ETH Zentrum, CLA J 1 (German)

Panel Discussion "Accessibility and Inclusion in University Education" (in German)

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) calls for an inclusive education system – also at university level. Affected students, lecturers and education experts discuss the possibilities and limitations of accessibility in education and give insight into their experiences of exclusion and inclusion during the course of study.

Prof. Dr. Elsbeth Stern (ETH professor of Empirical Research on Learning and Instruction)
Dr. Gerd Kortemeyer (ETH director "Educational Development and Technology")
David Mzee (ETH alumnus)
Timo Stühlinger (ETH student)
Yvonn Scherrer (moderator)

With Prof. Dr. Ueli Weidmann, Vice President for Infrastructure.

20 April, 6-7:30pm, with subsequent aperitif, Campus Hönggerberg (HIT E 51).

A review of the panel discussion was published in the internal news.

Action Days "UN Convention on the rights of people with disabilities"

The action days "UN Convention on the rights of people with disabilities" take place in Canton Zurich from 27th of August until 10th of September 2022. ETH Zurich will participate with several events. For further information visit the event website "Action Days Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities".

Respect Event "Breaking down barriers - physical and mental"

What obstacles or barriers do people with some form of disability or impairment encounter on a daily basis? Three speakers from different backgrounds talk about their experiences with many different barriers they have to deal with, whether it be online, on campus or in social contacts. What does this discrimination mean and how can it be avoided in future?
24 November 2021, 1-2pm, Zoom; recording see below (in German).

Panel discussion at Scientifica (in German) external page "Barrierefreiheit: Technologie – Hilfe oder Hürde?"

About ETH’s contribution to accessibility, self-determination and inclusion of people with disabilities. 4. September, 12-13 hrs (UZH, KOL G-201, Aula). No registration needed. In accordance with federal regulations, all visitors from the age of 16 require a valid Covid certificate.

Education, Gender and Inequality SDG Lecture Series (in English)

Speaker: Julia Dannath-Schuh, Vice President for Personnel Development and Leadership - «Diversity and Inclusion at ETH»
Panelists: Iris Nil, queer*z; Bernhard Koller, D-HEST; Samira Cabdulle, D-BAUG
10 March 2021, 18-19:30 hrs, Zoom (registration required).

Signed public tours (in German)

We plan to continue our signed public tours in 2021, provided that public events and tours are permitted under the current circumstances. For more information and registration, see the “Public tours” section of our website.

Public tours for deaf and hearing people (in German)

Altogether five tours were planned in 2020, but due to the developments in the coronavirus pandemic, four tours had to be cancelled. The following tour did take place.

8. September Der Hönggerberg 2040 Hönggerberg HIL, 6.15-7.15 pm

Accessible-Teaching Day (in German)

Öffentliche Veranstaltung über «Hindernisfreie Lehre» der Abteilung Lehrentwicklung und -technologie (LET) in Kooperation mit dem Projekt «Hindernisfreiheit an der ETH Zürich» am 3. Februar 2020 im Audimax.

9:00-9:15 Begrüssung durch die Rektorin der ETH
9:15-10:15 Access-for-All: Accessible Webseiten
10:15-10:30 Darvishy-Gruppe (ZHAW): Accessible PDF Dokumente
10:30-11:00 Schweizerischer Gehörlosenbund (SGB-FSS): Gebärdensprache und Untertitelung
11:00-16:00 Technischer Workshop, beschränkte Teilnehmerzahl und nur mit Voranmeldung ()

Teilnehmende am Technischen Workshop werden u. a. informiert zu Bedarfsgruppen und Rechtsgrundlagen, lernen Werkzeuge kennen für barrierefreie Webseiten, Apps und PDF-Dokumente, erhalten eine Einführung in die Handhabung von Screenreader-Software als Testwerkzeug und lernen, wie in einem Projekt Barrierefreiheit kosteneffizient berücksichtigt werden kann.

“Café des Signes”

Communication without words? It works! Order your beer in sign language. At “Café des Signes” (Schweizerischer Gehörlosenbund) on 4 October (Bistro HPI) und 8 November (Alumni Lounge) 2019, 5-10pm.

The reporting (in German) informs about the status of the sub-projects, ongoing activities and achieved results or quick wins.

2024

Download Reporting Q3/24 (PDF, 196 KB)

Download Reporting Q2/24 (PDF, 239 KB)

Download Reporting Q1/24 (PDF, 240 KB)

2023

Download Reporting Q4/23 (PDF, 234 KB)

Download Reporting Q3/23 (PDF, 212 KB)

Download Reporting Q2/23 (PDF, 199 KB)

Download Reporting Q1/23 (PDF, 153 KB)

2022

Download Reporting Q4/22 (PDF, 182 KB)