Bridge course mathematics accessible

The Bridge course mathematics has existed since summer 2017 as an online offer for independent repetition and refreshing of school mathematics knowledge. It is available to all students who will start a BSc program at ETHZ in the fall. Another prerequisite is participation in a self-assessment test. The course includes scripts and online learning paths (videos, interactive assignments, tests).
The components of the Bridge course mathematics will be made accessible as part of the project.
The scripts, interactive tasks, tests and learning videos will be reviewed step by step for their accessibility for all students, with and without disabilities, in terms of Universal Design and prepared according to the conformance requirements of the international Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
Specifically, HTML content including navigation and interactivity is prepared in a WCAG-compliant manner. Scripts and presentation slides in PDF format are prepared accessibly, or additionally offered in an accessible format such as HTML: With machine-readable (for screen reader users, e.g. blind people) mathematical formulas and logical semantic structure, text magnification with word wrapping, and other aspects of flexible content output. Videos are provided in accessible video players and come with (closed) captions. Visual content such as images and graphics are provided with informative text alternatives.

• The goal is the accessible preparation of the Bridge course mathematics according to the international guidelines for accessible digital content and user interfaces WCAG. This includes the user interface of the learning and information platform, the technical basis of the Bridge course mathematics in the form of an HTML website, as well as the availability of accessible prepared content including all electronic documents such as PDFs, but also videos and interactive tasks: Improving the machine readability of the website for screen reader users by complementing the source code with rich, correct semantics.
• Ensuring the usability of the website by keyboard (or generally by other input methods than by computer mouse).
• Ensuring accessibility and flexible usability of all PDF documents or providing the respective content in alternative accessible formats (e.g. HTML, EPUB, …).
• Embedding of an alternative, machine-readable and keyboard-operable video player software.
• Ensuring all relevant information is available in purely visual content such as images, graphics, etc. as a text version. Development of rich informative text alternatives for all graphics, adapted to the respective context.
• Checking content for sufficient contrast and correct use of colors.
• High-quality captioning of all learning videos including quality check by experts in the field of mathematics.
• A special challenge is the complexity of the subject matter with mathematical notations and formulas, as well as the translation of visual representations of contexts into text.
With this project, ETHZ is entering a field in which there is not yet much international experience. We choose a pragmatic approach and use the resources where the greatest effects for people with disabilities can be achieved. We do not strive for a perfect but a functioning accessible solution.

The Bridge course mathematics is accessible without barriers. The project is also intended to have a pioneering and exemplary character for teaching as a whole at ETH Zurich. Technical knowledge and transferable solutions for ETH are acquired.
With the Bridge course mathematics, D-MATH creates the first accessible interactive teaching tool of such high complexity that is consciously and explicitly intended as such. The project is highly significant in several respects.
• For students with disabilities, the accessible Bridge course mathematics makes it immensely easier or even possible for them to begin their studies. It is estimated that up to 20% of the population will benefit from accessible digital content.
• Students without disabilities benefit from the improved user experience through increased flexibility in use: through (closed) captions, improved semantic structuring, more flexible usability on different devices (smartphone), and more.
• Departments and faculties benefit from the additional access to talented young people, who might not successfully complete their studies without accessible learning materials
• D-MATH gains valuable experience in the implementation of accessible teaching, which will be taken into account in the future development of new or revision of existing learning materials. The knowledge gained in the project will be embedded in the department.
• With the project, ETH as a whole takes a big step towards required legal compliance and benefits from strengthening its charisma as a socially responsible educational and research institution of distinction. The project also serves as a pilot and beacon project for other departments and divisions as part of the Barrier-Free at ETH program.
• By improving the accessibility of teaching, ETH is making a major contribution to the social and professional inclusion of many people whose potential remains largely untapped today.
The Bridge course mathematics is well established and has been used by around 10,000 students since 2017. In 2021, for example, over 300,000 exercises were solved and videos were accessed over 400,000 times.