Swiss Project Uses Tech to Expose Hidden Struggles of Disability
Nearly one in five people in Switzerland lives with a disability. Despite legal protections, many still face daily challenges that limit their independence. A new project is now using technology to reveal these hidden struggles.
By working with Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, researchers have transformed personal experiences into images and sound. The goal is simple: to help others understand the barriers that remain unseen.
For 89-year-old Elfie Grendene, underpasses are a source of fear. Her visual impairment and hearing difficulties make it hard to spot cyclists or obstacles. She avoids walking through them alone, relying on others for safety.
Petra Groth, a 42-year-old woman with autism, also finds underpasses overwhelming. Bright lights and sudden noises heighten her stress, so she wears noise-canceling headphones outside. Even everyday sounds can feel unbearable, a struggle shared by Elisabeth Rudolf, who is highly sensitive to noise as she ages. Swiss law, including the Constitution and the Disability Discrimination Act, guarantees equal rights and participation. Yet many still depend on assistance for basic tasks. The project aims to change this by making invisible barriers visible. Through new technology, the experiences of people like Grendene and Groth are now being shared in ways others can see and hear.
The initiative highlights the gaps between legal rights and daily reality. By showing how people with disabilities navigate the world, it pushes for greater awareness and change. The hope is that more will recognise these challenges—and act to remove them.
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