Empathy is a fundamental skill in universal design -- an approach that promotes inclusive, accessible environments for all people, regardless of ability, yet the most effective methods for teaching it remain an open question. This study examines three distinct approaches to empathy training, involving 64 students in a universal design course. Participants were divided into three groups, each following a different learning path: (1) role-playing experience using external devices such as wheelchairs, elderly suits, and pregnancy bellies, (2) a laboratory-based approach combining these tools with virtual reality, and (3) an AI-supported method, where the process is streamlined through AI-driven surveys. The article explores the full empathy training process, evaluating the strengths and limitations of each method. Additionally, it analyzes pre- and post-training empathy assessments completed by students, as well as their qualitative feedback on the effectiveness of each approach. The findings provide valuable insights into how role-playing, virtual, and AI-driven experiences contribute to empathy development.
Zwoliński et al. (2025) studied this question.