A Unique Internship: Dissolving Disability Barriers at CYBATHLON

by Jérôme Rousseau, intern at CYBATHLON, 16 June 2022
The CYBATHLON Challenges team
The CYBATHLON Challenges team (photo credit: A. Della Bella/ETH Zurich)

When life presents itself as an obstacle course, different strategies and new technologies are needed. Jérôme Rousseau recounts his time (and impact) interning at ETH Zurich spinoff, CYBATHLON, an international platform that promotes assistive technologies.

This July I will graduate with a Master's degree in sports events management from the University of Paris, Nanterre. I have lived with disability since birth, and have learned to adapt: I get around in an electric wheelchair; my mobility is rigged to my phone, my computer, or even operated with a joy stick.

I have always been very passionate about sports: I am a referee for the official college table tennis championships in France; participated in the 2016 European Cup of Wheelchair Football Clubs; my club, Vaucresson, were champions of France’s division two in 2019. Today, I am president of Neosports, an association which aims at organising inclusive sports events that mixes together athletes with disabilities and those without.

I also trained as a youth counsellor, and now also train future “animateurs”, as they are called in France. There is even a documentary on this chapter of my life called J’ai Passé mon BAFA. In September I look forward to new adventures in the field of sports events.
The author on top of Uetliberg
Jérome on top of Uetliberg (photo credit: Jérome Rousseau)
CYBATHLON is an organisation which promotes awareness and strategy for the inclusion of people with disabilities. Here, I was in charge of creating potential partnerships, and presenting possible challenges for the 2024 or even 2028 events.

It's never easy to arrive in a new country, new language, different culture, an unfamiliar team, and environment. I was very surprised about how happy everyone felt with their work there. Everyone willingly shared their expertise towards a common goal.

Everything in the office was designed for me to be autonomous: a high table; a computer connected to a screen; a door to my office which I was able to open. Almost everything - there are still some efforts needed to be made towards total accessibility - such as automating the office doors as much as possible; making accessible toilets on each floor mandatory. The challenge is to find a compromise between accessibility and respect for the historical structure.
This was a growing experience: I think I was able to share a range of difficulty levels: how to go to the bathroom; organising meals; tackling and reviewing non-functioning elevators on an organisational level… I learned a lot in terms of new skills, and also the strength of having a network. For me, CYBATHLON is very much a family. I am very happy here, and will be delighted to continue serving ETH Zurich.
Group of people in front of a football goal
The football inclusion team (photo credit: Jérome Rousseau)
Serving CYBATHLON and working on it is a way to show that in life nothing is impossible. It is necessary that people with disabilities can move, raise visibility, lower barriers and be appreciated for their social contributions, life experiences: difficulties and assets alike. Constraints are also opportunities, because they bring a life perspective that sometimes seems offbeat and scientifically incomprehensible. Yes, I am happy being disabled, I am proud of the person I am, and will continue to fight so that everyone can have the place they deserve in society: through school, culture or technology. The key words are simple: sharing, meeting and above all nothing is impossible!

Je passe mon BAFA

The author at his office desk
Photo credit: Jérome Rousseau

About the author

Jérôme Rousseau is a Master's student in Sports Event Management at the University of Paris Nanterre in France. He has been disabled since birth. Jérôme lived throughout his childhood in a specialised institution. In 2017, he won the festival regard croisés in France for the documentary Je passe mon BAFA. A sportsman, he graduated as a referee in table tennis as well as the champion of France wheelchair football in 2019. Today, Jérôme is the founder of the Neosports association, which promotes inclusive sports activities. He will graduate in July 2022. A single slogan that describes him is: "nothing is impossible.»

You can follow Jérôme on LinkedIn!