This course raises awareness among designers and developers about the importance of digital accessibility. Participants will cultivate empathy by experiencing digital environments through the lens of disability, explore the history and principles of accessibility and universal design, and learn to build accessible design systems. Practical exercises using assistive technologies will help participants understand the real-world challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.

• Importance of accessibility and inclusive design
• Historical background and universal design principles
• Empathy-building through assistive technology simulations
• Foundations for building accessible design systems
• Legal compliance under the European Accessibility Act (2025)
• Criteria and steps for conducting accessibility audits
• Usability vs. accessibility: key testing differences
• Tools and methods for user-centered accessibility testing
• Designing and preparing accessible prototypes

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be able to:

• Demonstrate empathy and awareness of accessibility challenges.
• Describe the historical context and principles of universal design.
• Simulate user experiences with digital disabilities.
• Construct accessible design systems.
• Apply tools to test digital accessibility.

• Develop and evaluate 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.