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”!

Book Chapters

Disability and the University: A Students' Manifesto, 1st Edition, 2017, Peter Lang.

Disability and the University: A Students' Manifesto, 2nd, 2025, Peter Lang, ISBN (softcover) 9783034357814. The book was updated to reflect issues and barriers encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic. I updated my chapter on digital accessibility.

Journal Publications

Accessibility Barriers in Complex Data Tables , (McCall, Chagnon)Proceedings of the 10th International Congress on Information and Communication Technology, Springer Publication, pp. 413-425, October 2025,

Rethinking Alt Text to Improve its Effectiveness, (McCall, Chagnon) ICCHP Conference (International Conference on Computers Helping People with Disabilities), 2020.

PDF and the User Experience Survey, (McCall) ICCHP Conference (International Conference on Computers Helping People with Disabilities), 2016.

PDF/UA Structure Elements and the User Experience (McCall) Journal of Technology, CSUN (California State University, Northridge Campus, Centre on Disabilities Conference), 2017..

Globally Defining an Inclusive Education Standard (McCall) Journal of Technology, CSUN (California State University, Northridge Campus, Centre on Disabilities Conference), 2016.

A Strategic Approach to Document Accessibility: Integrating PDF/UA into your Electronic Content, (Spencer, McCall) ICCHP Conference (International Conference on Computers Helping People), 2014..

Legislation and Standards of Accessibility versus Intelligent Design, (McCall) Universal Learning Design, ULD Conference Proceedings (Universal Design for Learning Conference held at ICCHP), 2014.

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.

This is not one of my presentations or handouts. I still use it as a resource to teach people how to start crafting Alt Text. A Picture is Worth 300 Words This CSUN 2001 presentation by Wright State University and the Dayton Art Institute is an excellent resource when looking at the quality and quantity of Alt Text for images. While most of the time, as a document author, you would want to be more subjective, having to work through an exercise where you have to use a complex image such as a piece of art and only use 300 words to describe it to those who can’t see it is both fun and educational!

PDF Accessibility Research Survey Results Posted

End-user Accessibility

PDF and the User Experience Survey Results 2025 tagged PDF

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 2025 tagged PDF.

PDF Remediators Survey Results 2023 tagged PDF.

PDF Remediators Survey Results 2018 tagged PDF.

PDF Remediators Survey Results 2017 tagged PDF.

Survey Results Presented at Conferences

ICICT Conference 2024, presentation and journal article.

ICCHP Conference 2022, presentation and journal article.

University of Guelph Accessibility Conference 2018.

CSUN 2017.

Accessing Higher Ground 2016.

ICCHP 2016 confernce and journal article,.

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

Karlen Communications Research Projects