This study examines how User Experience (UX) designers navigate challenges and develop strategies to promote human-centered design (HCD) principles, mainly empathy, inclusivity, and accessibility. Using a netnographic qualitative methodology, it investigates how UX professionals, particularly influencers, bridge the gap between theoretical frameworks and real-world applications through social advocacy and professional practice. While empathy remains a foundational value in UX design, this study highlights persistent barriers, such as organizational resistance, limited accessibility training, and ethical concerns surrounding emerging technologies like AI. The research extends existing discussions by emphasizing the evolving role of UX professionals as practitioners and advocates for systemic change, influencing industry standards and shaping accessibility discourse. Findings suggest that accessibility remains under-prioritized despite its ethical and legal significance, necessitating proactive advocacy and structural reforms. By positioning UX influencers as key actors in the digital design landscape, this study contributes to the broader discourse on human-centered design, design ethics, and the intersection of social influence and digital accessibility.
Part of ISBN 979-8-9910913-3-6
QC 20250812