Swiss Centre for Barrier-free Communication
In the project entitled "Proposal and Implementation of a Swiss Research Centre for Barrier-free Communication", the School of Applied Linguistics at the ZHAW is working with the University of Geneva to create the foundation for barrier-free access to courses and study programmes at all Swiss higher education institutions.
Project description
In the project entitled "Proposal and Implementation of a Swiss Research Centre for Barrier-free Communication", findings from research and practice, as well as the responses of target groups, were analysed, structured and amalgamated. Within the framework of this project, a Centre has been developed which will, in the near future, implement the findings of the project’s research. Research findings , publications and events organised by the University of Geneva and the ZHAW can be found here as well as on the project website of the University of Geneva.
Conferences on accessible communication
The Third Conference on Barrier-free Communication was held online from 29 June to 4 July 2020.
The Second Conference on Barrier-free Communication was held in Geneva on 9 and 10 November 2018. Information on the Conference
The First Conference on "Barrier-free Communication: Methods and Products" took place on 15 and 16 September 2017 at the School of Applied Linguistics in Winterthur. Impressions of the 2017 conference
New study profile
Starting in 2020, the MA in Applied Linguistics specialisation in Professional Translation is offering a new profile in Accessible Communication/Audiovisual Translation.
Project aims
The primary objective of the project was to research accessible communication and the way it can generate sustainable access to study programmes for students with sensory impairments as well as for L2 speakers of the language of instruction at all Swiss universities.
Certain services are already offered in practice. There is, however, a lack of sound research evidence with respect to their benefits. Such research is required to standardise the approaches used and to ensure the provision of a high-quality service that meets the needs of users in respect of accessible communication.
The Swiss Centre for Barrier-free Communication aims to address these research gaps. Thanks to the collaboration with service providers, as well as organisations and representatives of the target group, research and practice can be brought closer together. The Swiss multilingual context and the transfer of spoken Swiss-German dialects into standard German played an integral role during the process of establishing the Centre.
These aims could, of course, only be achieved through close collaboration with the target groups and their umbrella organisations, as well as with partners from the world of practice, with whom the Centre thus maintains close links.
What is accessible communication?
In an ideal world, accessible communication is defined as a situation in which a source text, either spoken, written or pictorial, can be accessed and understood by everyone.
Several definitions already exist for this new area of research. In our view, the one provided by the University of Hildesheim is very comprehensive:
"Accessible communication involves all measures to reduce barriers to communication in different situational areas. Barriers to communication may exist both with regard to the communication participants’ sensory organs or cognitive facilities, or with regard to the linguistic, terminological, technical, cultural and medial demands a text presents to the recipient."
Accessible communication researchers thus need to know about the needs of target groups and require models and methods for preparing information so that it can be accessed from a barrier-free point of view.
Accessible communication methods
Accessible communication methods include the transfer of visual information to spoken language (audio description and audio introduction), the transfer of spoken language into written language (speech-to-text), interpreting spoken language into sign language and the conversion of linguistically complex coded content into simpler codings (easy-to-read language, plain language and citizen-oriented language).
Legal basis in Switzerland
The UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) states that persons with disabilities must have access to information and communication. There is therefore a fundamental requirement for access to information to be barrier-free. Switzerland has been a signatory to the CRPD since April 2014 and accessible communication is a key concern in its efforts to create an inclusive society. This is also reflected in the legislation outlined in Switzerland’s Disability Discrimination Act.
Article 21 of the CRPD states that: "States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that persons with disabilities can exercise the right to freedom of expression and opinion, including the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas on an equal basis with others and through all forms of communication of their choice as defined in article 2 of the present Convention […]".
Team Accessibility Studies

Project lead and former Head of Accessibility Studies (until March 2022): Prof. Dr. Susanne J. Jekat
Contact
The centre is still in the process of being established. We welcome any questions and suggestions. Do you require a specific service in the domain of "Barrier-free Communication"? Do you want to establish contact with us as an affected person or as a practice partner? Please write an email with the subject line "Barrier-free Communication" to Professor Susanne Jekat.
Publications
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna; Puhl, Steffen; Carrer, Luisa; Hagmann, David; Lintner, Alexa; Lopes Torres, Sabrina; Parli, Michelle,
2021.
Audiodeskription verständlich erklärt : Einblicke in Theorie und Praxis.
Winterthur:
ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-22825
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna; Puhl, Steffen; Carrer, Luisa; Lintner, Alexa, eds.,
2021.
Proceedings of the 3rd Swiss conference on barrier-free communication (BfC 2020).
3rd Swiss Conference on Barrier-free Communication (BfC 2020), Winterthur (online), 29 June - 4 July 2020.
Winterthur:
ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften.
.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-3001
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2021.
In:
Jekat, Susanne Johanna; Steffen, Puhl; Lintner, Alexa, eds.,
Proceedings of the 3rd Swiss Conference on Barrier-free Communication.
3rd Swiss Conference on Barrier-free Communication (BfC 2020), Winterthur (online), 29 June - 4 July 2020.
Winterthur:
ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften.
pp. 141-150.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-3001
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna; Hagmann, David; Lintner, Alexa,
2020.
Texte in Leichter Sprache : Entwicklungsstand und Hinweise zur Qualitätsoptimierung
.
In:
Heidrich, Franziska; Schubert, Klaus, eds.,
Fachkommunikation – gelenkt, geregelt, optimiert.
Hildesheim:
Universitätsverlag Hildesheim.
pp. 171-190.
Fach – Sprache – Kommunikation ; 1.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.18442/087
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna,
2019.
Übersetzung in Leichte Sprache : Informationsveränderung und Informationsverlust.
In:
ASTTI Jahrestagung: Übersetzen und Dolmetschen in anderen Kontexten, Bern, 15. November 2019.
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna,
2018.
Leichte Sprache in der Forschung : Vorlesung gehalten an der PHZ.
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna; Carrer, Luisa,
2018.
A reception study of descriptive vs. interpretative audio description [paper].
In:
Proceedings of the Second Barrier-Free Communication Conference – Accessibility in Educational Settings (BFC 2018).
Second Barrier-Free Communication Conference 2018, Geneva, Switzerland, 9-10 November 2018.
Genève:
UNIGE Archive Ouverte.
pp. 54-57.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-4994
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna,
2018.
Audiodeskription und Audiointroduktion.
In:
Vortrag zum Projekt: Barrierefrei informieren und kommunizieren, Winterthur, 28. März 2018.
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna; Massey, Gary, eds.,
2018.
1st Swiss conference on barrier-free communication, Winterthur, 15-16 September 2017.
Winterthur:
ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften.
.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-3000
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna,
2018.
In:
Professorenkonferenz Departement Angewandte Linguistik ZHAW, Winterthur, 28. März 2018.
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna,
2018.
In:
Treffen Regionalgruppe Zürich des Schweizerischen Übersetzer-, Terminologen- und Dolmetscher-Verbands (ASTTI), Zürich, 18. September 2018.
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna; Kappus, Martin; Schubert, Klaus, eds.,
2018.
Barrieren abbauen, Sprache gestalten.
Working Papers in Applied Linguistics
; 14.
Winterthur:
ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-3865
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna; Kappus, Martin,
2018.
Input und Workshop zu Audiodeskription für Videoproduzenten.
In:
Workshop zu Audiodeskription für Videoproduzenten, Winterthur, 17. April 2018.
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna,
2018.
In:
Departementsversammlung Angewandte Linguistik ZHAW, Winterthur, 14. März 2018.
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna,
2018.
Project : competence centre for barrier-free communication [paper].
In:
ARSAD 2017 Advanced Research Seminar on Audio Description, Barcelona, Spain, 16-17 March 2018.
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Rodríguez Vázquez, Silvia; Bouillon, Pierrette; Strasly, Irene; Hohenstein, Christiane; Zavgorodnia, Larysa; Näf, Manuela,
2018.
In:
Proceedings of the Second Barrier-Free Communication Conference 2018, Geneva, 9-10 November 2018.
Second Barrier-Free Communication Conference 2018, Geneva, 9-10 November 2018.
Genève:
Université de Genève.
pp. 89-92.
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Hohenstein, Christiane; Zavgorodnia, Larysa; Näf, Manuela; Rodríguez Vázquez, Silvia; Bouillon, Pierrette; Strasly, Irene,
2018.
In:
Proceedings of the Second Barrier-Free Communication Conference 2018, 9-10 November 2018, Geneva, Switzerland.
Second Barrier-Free Communication Conference 2018, Geneva, 9-10 November 2018.
Genève:
Université de Genève.
pp. 47-50.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-4919
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Hohenstein, Christiane; Zavgorodnia, Larysa; Näf, Manuela; Bouillon, Pierrette; Rodríguez Vázquez, Silvia; Strasly, Irène,
2018.
In:
Proceedings of the Second Barrier-Free Communication Conference 2018, Geneva, 9-10 November 2018.
Second Barrier-Free Communication Conference 2018, Geneva, 9-10 November 2018.
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna,
2018.
In:
Stiftungsratsversammlung der Max Bircher Stiftung, Winterthur, 3. Dezember 2018.
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna,
2018.
Vortrag zum Projekt Konzept und Umsetzung eines Schweizer Zentrums für Barrierefreie Kommunikation.
In:
Alumni-Anlass Institut für Angewandte Medienwissenschaften IAM, Zürich, 22. Februar 2018.
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna; Kappus, Martin,
2017.
Barrierefreie Kommunikation für Dozierende und E-Learning-Experten.
In:
Workshop über Barrierefreie Kommunikation für Dozierende und E-Learning-Experten, Olten, 16. Oktober 2017.
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna,
2017.
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna,
2017.
Audiodeskription im Rahmen des Doktorandenkolloquiums des Projekts BfK an der Universität Bern.
In:
Doktorandenkolloquium der Universität Bern, Bern, 20. Juni 2017.
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna; Kappus, Martin,
2017.
Vortrag und Workshop Audiodeskription für Kantonsschule Winterthur.
In:
Workshop: Audiodeskription für die Kantonsschule Winterthur, Winterthur, 12. Juli 2017.
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna; Germann, Esther; Lintner, Alexa; Soland, Corinne,
2017.
Wahlprogramme in Leichter Sprache – eine korpuslinguistische Annäherung
.
In:
Bock, Bettina M.; Fix, Ulla; Lange, Daisy, eds.,
„Leichte Sprache“ im Spiegel theoretischer und angewandter Forschung.
Berlin:
Frank & Timme.
pp. 229-246.
Kommunikation - Partizipation - Inklusion ; 1.
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna; Oláh, Annegret E.,
2016.
Theorie und Methode der Audiodeskription : ein Pilotprojekt
.
In:
Mälzer, Nathalie, ed.,
Barrierefreie Kommunikation : Perspektiven aus Theorie und Praxis.
Berlin:
Frank & Timme.
pp. 69-94.
Kommunikation - Partizipation - Inklusion ; 2.
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna; Jüngst, Heike Elisabeth; Schubert, Klaus; Villiger, Claudia, eds.,
2015.
Berlin:
trans-kom.
trans-kom : Zeitschrift für Translationswissenschaft und Fachkommunikation ; Band 8, Issue 1.
Available from: http://www.trans-kom.eu/ihv_08_01_2015.html
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna,
2015.
.
In:
Pöchhacker, Franz; Grbić, Nadja; Mead, Peter; Setton, Robin, eds.,
Routledge encyclopedia of interpreting studies.
London:
Routledge.
pp. 239-241.
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna; Prontera, Daniel; Bale, Richard James,
2015.
Trans-kom - Zeitschrift für Translationswissenschaft und Fachkommunikation.
8(2), pp. 446-464.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-1938
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna; Dutoit, Lilian,
2014.
Evaluation of live subtitles (respeaking)
.
In:
Garzelli, Beatrice; Baldo, Michaela, eds.,
Subtitling and intercultural communication : European languages and beyond.
Pisa:
Edizioni ETS.
pp. 329-339.
InterLinguistica ; 1.
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna,
2014.
Respeaking : syntaktische Aspekte des Transfers von gesprochener Sprache in geschriebene Sprache
.
In:
Jekat, Susanne Johanna; Jüngst, Heike Elisabeth; Schubert, Klaus; Villiger, Claudia, eds.,
Sprache barrierefrei gestalten : Perspektiven aus der Angewandten Linguistik.
Berlin:
Frank & Timme.
pp. 87-108.
TransÜD : Arbeiten zur Theorie und Praxis des Übersetzens und Dolmetschens ; 69.
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna; Jüngst, Heike Elisabeth; Schubert, Klaus; Villiger, Claudia, eds.,
2014.
Sprache barrierefrei gestalten : Perspektiven aus der Angewandten Linguistik.
Berlin:
Frank & Timme.
TransÜD : Arbeiten zur Theorie und Praxis des Übersetzens und Dolmetschens ; 69.
ISBN 978-3-7329-0023-7.
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna,
2013.
Audiodeskription und Respeaking : multimedialer Informationsstand.
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna,
2013.
Barrierefreier Zugang zu Informationen, zum Beispiel Respeaking und Audiodeskription.
In:
2. Sektionentagung der Gesellschaft für Angewandte Linguistik e.V., Aachen, 19.-20. September 2013.
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Jekat, Susanne Johanna; Darmstätter, Anne B.; Linder, Gion,
2009.
Respeaking : loss, addition and change of information during the transfer process.
In:
3rd International Media for All Conference «Quality made to measure», Antwerp, Belgium, 22-24 October 2009.