Bitforge is a proud founding member of the Swiss Digital Inclusion Alliance

The aim of ADIS is to make digital technologies and services accessible to people who have difficulty using them.

ADIS sees itself as a cooperation platform. It links, supports and strengthens the activities of its members and supporters.

In addition to us, the founding members include major Swiss companies such as Swiss Post, SBB, Swisscom and UBS. In addition, the “Access for All” foundation, with which we jointly founded the Digital Inclusion Academy (DIA) in July 2024. The DIA is our own vehicle for pursuing our goal of a digitally accessible Switzerland.

In the real world, it immediately becomes clear how essential inclusion is for people with physical disabilities. Imagine a person in a wheelchair standing in front of a staircase – with no way of climbing it independently. It’s exactly the same in the digital world. It may be less obvious there, but it is just as important.

But not only blind or visually impaired people are affected.

People with anxiety disorders, ADHD, etc. also benefit greatly from user-friendly and clearly structured digital services.

• Apps can offer reduced visual distractions.
• Stress-free designs can make access easier.

This is not just an advantage for individual groups, but for all of us.

“I am convinced that inclusion is important for society as a whole. Not just against discrimination,” says Elisabeth Baume-Schneider.

Markus Riesch emphasized that over 20% of the Swiss population have little or no basic digital skills and are therefore at acute risk of digital exclusion. With ADIS, the Confederation is now pursuing the goal of ensuring that everyone can participate equally in society and benefit from its advantages.

“We are responsible for ensuring that digitalization reaches everyone.” – Elisabeth Baume-Schneider

The main challenge for digital inclusion is currently a lack of awareness and a lack of sensitization. Unfortunately, this is the first area to be cut. However, it is forgotten that the inclusion of previously excluded people also increases the reach and can be worthwhile not only socially but also economically.

The first step is therefore to create awareness among the population. It is therefore important to generate attention for this topic. In the words of Jochen Decker (SBB) at the opening ceremony: “ADIS is precisely a format that can ensure that digital inclusion is brought to people’s attention.”

Now you may be asking yourself:

The issue cannot be dealt with by advocating change and hoping that things will get better on their own.

Action is needed from all parties.

From providers of digital services as well as from clients and stakeholders.

From you and from us.

And action requires concrete, practical recommendations for action.

With the Digital Inclusion Academy, we are helping to raise awareness of digital inclusion with our consulting services for companies.

If you are interested, you can find a free webinar “Understanding accessibility” on the Digital Inclusion Academy website to get started:

For companies and advanced users, we also offer various courses, webinars and a comprehensive range of advice on various digital accessibility topics: Digital Inclusion Academy

To conclude the opening ceremony (and this blog post), the participants in the panel discussion were asked how they would summarize the necessary next steps in one word.

Here are their answers (from right to left):

Kannarath Meystre (SBC): Inclusion

Dana Pietralla (paged): Join in

Peppino Giaritta (DVS ANS): Sensitization

Béatrice V. Steiner (HES-FR): Recognition (of the diversity of all actors)

Jochen Decker (SBB): Activity