This course aims to raise designers’ and developers’ awareness of the importance of accessibility. Participants will develop empathy by experiencing digital through the lens of disability, learn about the history of accessibility and concepts such as universal design, and discover how to build an accessible design system. Practical activities will include the use of assistive technologies to understand the challenges faced by people with disabilities.

Introduction: Why accessibility matters (design)

• create empathy and awareness for accessibility 
• brief history of accessibility and related concepts (e.g., universal design) 
• gaining practical experience – how does using a digital product feel with a disability (e.g., wearing simulation goggles or similar) 
• how to build an accessible Design System

Legal requirements for accessibility

• learn about relevant legal requirements and compliance rules in accordance with "The European Accessibility Act -2025"

Accessibility audits

• learn technical background and criteria for an audit how to perform an audit of accessibility, including a practical activity where the learners create an audit

Accessibility testing (design & code)

• learn how to test accessibility with users 
• learn about relevant differences between usability and accessibility testing 
• How to build an accessible environment with different tools. 
• define all basic elements and how to make it accessible
• prepare the prototypes for testing

Upon completion of this training, participants will:

•  develop empathy and awareness for accessibility,
• understand the historical context and principles of universal design,
• gain practical experience to empathize with users with disabilities, 
• acquire skills to build accessible design systems
• know and utilize testing tools,
• prepare accessible prototypes.

Interactive lectures, experiential learning activities, demonstrations, group discussions to engage participants in understanding and applying concepts effectively, hands-on workshops, and real-world case studies.