Empathy-Driven Development: The Key to Unlocking True Accessibility? by Ante Tomić

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What makes some applications feel impossible to use? The most accessible applications aren't built by following guidelines – they're built by developers who understand what it feels like when technology fails you. In today's digital world, meeting accessibility standards isn't enough – true inclusivity requires empathy. Through my experience as a developer with 55% hearing loss in both ears, I've learned that understanding user needs goes beyond following checklists and guidelines – it's about experiencing the world through their perspective.

In this session, you’ll learn:
How to apply Empathy-Driven Development to create more inclusive applications
Ways to combine Progressive Enhancement with empathy for stronger accessibility
Real-world examples of temporary and situational disabilities that affect everyone
Practical techniques to build applications that work for everyone

I’ll share personal stories about how my hearing loss has shaped my approach to accessibility, demonstrate some common accessibility gaps, and show you useful solutions you can implement immediately. By the end of this session, you’ll have insights into how to make your applications more inclusive and user-friendly. The most important step is to realize that accessibility isn’t a checklist – it’s about connecting with your users’ real needs.