Empathy Tool

What is the Empathy Tool? The Empathy Tool enables users (particularly those with disabilities, limited mobility, or other access needs) to report barriers in public spaces and document their travel experiences. More than just a reporting app, it functions as both a mobility diary and a data collection tool, capturing: Route details (locations, timestamps, transport modes, speed) Reports of inaccessible areas (via text, voice, or image) Travel preferences and patterns over time The data collected helps city planners and decision-makers identify and prioritize accessibility improvements based on real-world user experiences. Designed with Users, for Users Accessibility is at the heart of the tool’s design. It supports: Voice and image recognition Assistive tech compatibility Customizable interfaces with adjustable text sizes and high-contrast modes Crucially, development was shaped by feedback from demonstration sites in Larnaka, Geneva, and Budapest. For instance: In Larnaka, users emphasized the need for intuitive navigation and simple reporting categories. In Geneva, the tool was adapted to meet multilingual demands, ensuring accurate translations and culturally sensitive UI design. In addition, the Empathy Tool adheres to GDPR standards, ensuring user data is anonymised and collected only with explicit consent. Local partnerships (including with Geneva’s public transport operator TPG and Larnaka’s municipality) helped embed privacy-by-design principles into the tool’s structure and dashboard.