To prevent barriers from arising in the first place, we train digital accessibility specialists through our own academy, the ‘ZFA-Akademie’. The course lasts 18 months. The training course for people with disabilities is a major focus: It is potential and motivation that should count, not one’s financial resources.

Regina Reusser’s example demonstrates the merit of this training: Today, she lectures as a guest lecturer at ETH Zurich and will help shape the next training course as co-lead. ‘Two years ago, I would never have dared to stand in front of strangers and share my expertise with them’, she says. We depend on foundation grants, partnerships, and sponsorships to fund these training positions.

Why do these barriers exist at all? Mostly, it simply comes down to a lack of knowledge. That’s why we raise awareness among businesses, authorities, and politics to the needs of people with disabilities in the digital space. We achieve this through studies, conferences, and political work.

To ensure that accessibility is not a nice-to-have, but a must.

This is what Regina experiences every day. We just make it measurable. As the official Swiss certification body, we assess websites, web applications and mobile apps for accessibility. These assessments are funded through our services. Meanwhile, resources like the development of open-source tools and free available check lists that benefit everyone, do not generate any revenue.

Regina is not alone with her experience. Digital barriers also affect the deaf and hard-of-hearing, people with cognitive impairments, and many others. With the IFA project, we are providing access to information for people with sensory impairments and work to ensure that important content is available in an understandable and accessible form.

Digital accessibility is continuously evolving with technology. We are researching new solutions, testing AI-based accessibility tools and are regularly carrying out studies on the state of accessibility in Switzerland. By doing this, we ensure that our work will continue to make a difference in the future.

All of this requires a solid foundation: our team, our infrastructure, and our day-to-day business. Your donation gives us the flexibility to work where the need is greatest.

Your company is organising an event and would like to give a donation to the speakers instead of a gift? We issue individual donation receipts, which you can hand over personally at the event. 

Your company donates a total amount on behalf of your customers or employees. We issue an invoice and a donation receipt to your company. You inform your chosen audience about the contribution in their name.