Limited mobility

What is limited mobility?

Mobility can be limited in a wide variety of ways, both temporarily and constantly. Motor skills may be impaired by an accident, an illness or by a disability from birth. For example, a malposition of the spinal column can make everyday student life difficult; wheelchair-bound students often face specific challenges; a complicated fracture of the hand can prevent students from taking notes; cerebral palsy can impair the sense of balance, etc. In every situation, a personal meeting and the clarification of the specific support requirements of the person concerned is the most important step towards the creation of framework conditions for successful studies with equal opportunities. There are many different points to be taken into consideration: issues ranging from coordination problems with writing to the accessibility of rooms can make studying more difficult.

What support services are available for those with limited mobility?

Counselling & Coaching

Students have the opportunity to make use of the Counselling & Coaching Centre's counselling services if required. The aim is often to provide information on the infrastructure and which specific contact persons can help.

ETH-Buildings

Orientation:

ETH Zurich is largely wheelchair-accessible, and almost all the rooms on the entire campus can be reached by lifts and ramps.

With the help of the "PolyMaps" app, a navigation aid within and between ETH buildings is available for mobile phones. This makes it easier to find the quickest barrier-free route from A to B. 

Students are welcome to contact Campus Info in advance, who can show them the easiest routes.

Barrier-free toilets:

Wheelchair-accessible parking spaces and barrier-free toilets can be found throughout the campus.

Learning workstations:

The ETH Library provides barrier-free learning workstations at the locations in the Centre and Hönggerberg.

Further information on accessibility at ETH.

Factsheet for lecturers

The Download limited mobility information sheet (PDF, 122 KB) can be used when communicating with lecturers. It summarises the most important effects of limited mobility on studying.

Special arrangements

Students with limited mobility have the option of applying for special arrangements for performance assessments.

The application must be supported by a medical certificate. In addition to the standard criteria, it must describe how the disability affects the examination situation and everyday study life. In the case of non-congenital disabilities, it must also provide information on the stability/degressiveness/progressiveness of the disability.