Karlen Communications
Research Projects

I began researching the accessibility of PDFs from the perspective of those of us with disabilities. This grew into questioning how we deal with complex graphics and data tables in any format. My research is ongoing and tries to provide insight into how those of us who use screen readers and other adaptive technologies consume digital content. It is clear from the research to date that much more work must be done. I believe the first step is not only having us at the table but listening to our voices. Hopefully, this research is a start toward that goal. “Nothing without us”!

People Describing Themselves during Meetings/Conferences

Survey results for an ongoing research project on self-description during meetings and conference presentations.

People Describing Themselves during Meetings and Conference Presentations 2022 Survey Results, tagged PDF.

Complex Data Table Accessibility Research Survey Results

Complex Data Tables Accessibility Survey Results 2024, tagged PDF.

Alt Text for Complex Graphics Research Survey Results

Alt Text and Complex Graphics Survey Results 2022, tagged PDF.

Alt Text and Complex Graphics Survey Results 202, tagged PDF.

PDF Accessibility Research Survey Results Posted

End-user Accessibility

PDF and the User Experience Survey Results 2023 tagged PDF

PDF and the User Experience Survey Results 2018 tagged PDF/

Accessibility of PDF Forms Survey Results 2017 tagged PDF.

PDF and the User Experience Surve Resultsy 2016 - tagged PDF.

PDF and the User Experience Survey Results 2015 - tagged PDF.

PDF Remediators Survey

This survey looks at how easy it is to remeidate PDFs to be accessible and how accessible the user interface is for those iwth disabilities to remeidate PDFs to be accessible.

PDF Remediators Survey Results 2023 tagged PDF.

PDF Remediators Survey Results 2017 tagged PDF.

Survey Results Presented at Conferences

University of Guelph Accessibility Conference 2018.

CSUN 2017.

Accessing Higher Ground 2016.

ICCHP 2016.

University of Guelph Accessibility Conference, 2016 - this is a link to the slides used for the session.

Books and Online Courses on Accessible Document Design and PDF

Karen McCall has two books on accessible PDF and accessible document design: "Accessible and Usable PDF Documents: Techniques for Document Authors" and "Styles in Word: A Primer for Accessible Document Design." Both books are available through the Karen McCall School on Teachable. There are two self-paced online courses in the Karen McCall School: Styles in Word: A Primer for Accessible Document Design and Accessible Fillable PDF Forms.

Karlen Communications Research Projects