Barrier-Free at ETH Zurich
A new website on the topic of accessibility is now available with information on counselling, services, events and news.
This website provides an overview of the completed implementation program “Barrier-free at ETH Zurich” (2021-2025).
The “Barrier-free at ETH Zurich” implementation program has been completed
ETH Zurich is committed to accessibility: over the course of the next few years, people with disabilities or people with special needs – whether students, lecturers, researchers, staff or visitors – should benefit from greatly improved access to ETH buildings and services.
In order to achieve this goal, the ETH-wide implementation program “Barrier-free at ETH Zurich” was launched at the beginning of 2021 with a total of 14 sub-projects. The 14 sub-projects were divided into three categories: “Construction, building usage and architecture”, “Organisation and culture” and “Technology, communication and teaching”. The proposed measures were implemented by mid-2025. The topic of accessibility - or barrier-free, design for all, inclusion, etc. - is firmly established in the departments and at ETH Zurich.
The final report Q4/24 provides information on the latest status of the sub-projects and the results achieved.
Prior to this, the status quo was surveyed and a corresponding master plan was developed in the synonymous situation analysis project from 2018 to 2020.
Do you have any questions about the “Barrier-free at ETH Zurich” implementation program (2021-2025) or the previous survey project (2018-2020)? We are at your disposal at the following e-mail address: .
Mission and Goals
- The idea behind the project was to ensure that everyone as far as possible, with or without disabilities or special needs, is able to access ETH Zurich’s services.
- The culture of openness and inclusion was expanded and ETH standards of design-for-all were established.
- Accessibility in existing buildings, accessibility in the technological environment and accessibility and inclusion in teaching were promoted.
- A key concern of ETH Zurich was to involve affected members of ETH, relevant external organisations and stakeholders in order to find the most practical and needs-oriented solutions possible.
Sub-projects 1-9, for example the implementation of the signage concept or the adaptation of existing buildings, fell under the category “Construction, Building Usage and Architecture”.
Sub-project manager: Dominik Jenni, Real Estate Management
This sub-project focused 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 focused on using the established expertise (SP1) to generate "design for all" guidelines.
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 focused on generating a concept for barrier-free compliance in new buildings and large-scale renovations. An effective quality management system was 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 focused 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, 365体育官网_365体育备用【手机在线】 Services
This sub-project focused on general orientation to and within the building (rooms, floors, lifts, etc.). It also ensured that barrier-free routes (e.g. ramps and lifts to avoid stairs) and routes to the information desks are adequately signposted.
The sub-project was completed and the results were transferred to daily business. Due to the large number of ETH buildings, equipping all buildings with barrier-free signage will take until 2044 at the latest.
Sub-project manager: Roland Nisple, SSHE
This sub-project focused 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, 365体育官网_365体育备用【手机在线】 Services
Sub-project 7 was dedicated to making events barrier-free. A web page devoted to organising inclusive, accessible events was published. The University has also purchased barrier-free registration desks for events so that people in wheelchairs can be welcomed at eye level.
Organising inclusive, accessible events
The sub-project was completed and the results were transferred to daily business.
Sub-project manager: Betty Friedrich-Grube, VPPL
This sub-project focused on implementing ad hoc measures that enable ETH members with a disability to work or study. ETH members’ individual concerns and enquiries were examined and implemented as a matter of priority.
The sub-project was completed and the results were transferred to daily business.
Sub-project manager: Dominik Jenni, Real Estate Management
This sub-project focused on adapting existing buildings in line with design-for-all and the norm SIA 500. Measures that minimise risk or significantly enhance compliance were implemented as a matter of priority.
Barrier-?free compliance in new buildings and renovations
The sub-project was completed and the results were transferred to daily business. Due to the large number of ETH buildings, the barrier-free adaptation of all buildings will take until 2044 at the latest.
Category "Organisation and Culture"
Sub-project 10 fell under the category “Organisation and Culture”.
Sub-project manager: Romila Storjohann, VPIN
Sub-project 10 focused 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.
The sub-project was completed and the results were transferred to daily business.
Category "Technology, Communication and Teaching"
Sub-projects 11-14, for example a barrier-free guidance via app or barrier-free teaching material and library media, fell under the category “Technology, Communication and Teaching”.
Sub-project manager: Manu Heim, CC
This sub-project focused 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 were also adapted to ensure that they are barrier-free.
The sub-project was completed and the results were transferred to daily business.
Sub-project manager: Hans-Peter Dennler, ITS
This sub-project focused on upgrading the ETH app to enable barrier-free orientation on campus and in the ETH Zurich buildings.
The sub-project was completed and the results were transferred to daily business.
Sub-project manager: Anton Bolfing, UTL
Sub-protect 13 involved developing and broadening specialist knowledge regarding barrier-free teaching materials. Existing teaching applications were being checked for accessibility and updated accordingly. Lecturers were also being advised and supported with information and training to ensure that their teaching and their teaching materials are accessible.
The sub-project was completed and the results were transferred to daily business.
Sub-project manager: André Reichmuth and Cindy Hertach, ETH Library
Sub-project 14 focused on developing and expanding expertise on barrier-free library media and making it available online. Employees of ETH libraries were also offered training and awareness courses. Accessible study spaces were being set up in some libraries.
The sub-project was completed and the results were transferred to daily business.
Organization chart
Download Project organization ?Barrier-Free at ETH Zurich? (PDF, 33 KB)