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.
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.
Ante Tomić
Infobip
Ante is a skilled and hearing-impaired Senior Software Engineer at Infobip with a strong interest in Web and the technical side of it. With permanent 55% hearing loss in both ears, he’s a testament to the power of determination and hard work which often speaks louder than words. He has a big love and soft spot for rubber ducks and excels at presenting and educating, React, JavaScript, Node.JS, build processes, automation and improving developer and customer experiences. He always shares his own experiences, especially in accessibility. Ante's goal is to always improve, making things more efficient and user-friendly.
When he steps away from coding, Ante enjoys discovering new music, long and scenic walks, and capturing the beauty of the world through his hobby of photography, traveling, and travel blogging. As a big extrovert at heart, he’s always up for sharing a laugh, interesting travel stories, or discussing the latest tech topics. Approachable and driven, Ante shows that hearing impairment is just a part of his journey, not the end of his story. If you have a moment, his doors are always open for a chat, so don't hesitate to start a discussion with him - he is more than happy to connect and talk with you!
When he steps away from coding, Ante enjoys discovering new music, long and scenic walks, and capturing the beauty of the world through his hobby of photography, traveling, and travel blogging. As a big extrovert at heart, he’s always up for sharing a laugh, interesting travel stories, or discussing the latest tech topics. Approachable and driven, Ante shows that hearing impairment is just a part of his journey, not the end of his story. If you have a moment, his doors are always open for a chat, so don't hesitate to start a discussion with him - he is more than happy to connect and talk with you!