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Disability Awareness Day @ UZH

On 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed worldwide.

The University of Zurich is also marking this day: Disability Awareness Day invites everyone to make disability visible, approachable, and tangible. The aim is to spark interest, open spaces for dialogue, and promote understanding and visibility.

Students, staff, and external guests are invited to engage with different forms of disability — through simulations, workshops, and conversations. The goal is to reduce shame and hesitation, and to encourage open questions. People directly affected can access information on support services, and members of UZH can expand their knowledge to strengthen inclusion in everyday life.

Program

Information booths and simulations

9:30–17:00
Lichthof

Reasonable Adjustments and support services
Disability Office

Exchange among students
VSUZHCommission for Studies and Disability (KSB) (website in German)

Inclusion and accessibility at UZH
Abteilung Equality, Diversity, Inclusion (website in German)

Current research at UZH
Prof. Dr. Sarah Ebling & Dr. Oriane Pierrès

Work integration and disability
Stiftung Profil (website in German)

VR simulation: panic attacks, anxiety, ADHD thought spirals
Digital Library Space /  MEEET Lab, Dr. Hiloko Kato 

Wheelchair simulation: shifting perspectives on mobility,
accessibility, and the importance of accessible spaces 
Schweizer Paraplegiker-Vereinigung (SPV) (website in German)

Blindness simulation: experiencing everyday life without sight,
focusing on orientation, communication, and trust 
Schweizerischer Blinden- und Sehbehindertenverband (SBV) (website in German)

Workshops and keynote talks 

Workshops are held in German, but you can use the live translation tool on Zoom.

09:00
KOL-F-123 

10:30  
KOL-F-123 

Keynote: People with disabilities in Switzerland – how inclusive is society?

Matyas Sagi-Kiss, Pro Infirmis (website in German)

10:30
KO2-F-152

13:00
KO2-F-175

Yoga with sign language
YIGS (website in German)
Open to all UZH members, with or without hearing impairments.
Registration required

16:15
KOL-H-317            

Creating accessible documents 
Bettina Kunz & Lukas Fischer
Hybrid format: online participation available (Accessible Documents)

17:00
KOL-H-317

Accessible event organization
Bettina Kunz & Lukas Fischer
Hybrid format: online participation available (Accessible Event Organization)

18:15–19:45
KOL-H-312

Lecture series: An Interdisciplinary Perspective on Disability and Inclusion (in German)

Ableismus, Technik und Subjekte. Über die Vermeidung und Aneignung von Rollstühlen in Verhältnissen des Ableismus.
Rebecca Maskos, Alice Salomon Hochschule Berlin (website in German)

 

All week (1–5 December 2025)

Lichthof

Poster exhibition: Disability Awareness Day

 

Mindful[L]-Kafis  | Mindful[L] (website in German)

  • On mental health, autism, depression, ADHD
  • Held around lunchtime
  • More details on Mindful[L]

Follow-up events

 

16:30–19:00 
KOL-H-317

8 December 2025: DisaBEERity by KSB – aka DisaBierli

A meet-up for students.
Casual gathering and socializing to network, share experiences,
and get to know each other.
Feel free to bring your own snacks and a drink of your choice if you like :-)
There is no fixed program, so you’re welcome to join later as well!

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