Citations in Publications

My work has been cited in the following books, white papers, and academic research dealing with accessibility, usability, web development, and e-business:

Books

• Handbook of social network technologies and applications
• Digital Outcasts: Moving Technology Forward without Leaving People Behind
• YUI 3 Cookbook
• Accessibilité web: Normes et bonnes pratiques pour des sites plus accessibles

White Papers/ Academic Research

• XMSF Profile Standards Business Case Analysis
• Implementation of a New Approach to Mine Web Log Data Using Mater Web Log Analyzer
• MIPAW: modele of a progressive implementation of web accessibility
• Analysis of social networks extracted from log files
• Improving usability for a terminology search website

Kudos from Presentations

AccessU 2012

In May 2012 it was my pleasure to teach at AccesU for the third year in a row. As before, I Idid two sessions on "Managing Accessibility Compliance in the Enterprise" and "Evaluating Web Accessibility". The below information comes directly, unedited, from the surveys students filled out after each session:

"Managing Accessibility Compliance in the Enterprise"

Ratings

(5=Complete Agree; 1=Completely Disagree)

• Overall: 4.6
• The objectives of the class were clearly stated: 4.2
• The instructor(s) were knowledgeable on the subject presented: 4.8
• The instructor communicated the subject clearly: 4.7
• The slides and handouts were well done and supported learning: 4.7
• My understanding of the topic was improved by attending this class: 4.8
• I gained knowledge that I will implement in my work within 30 days: 4.4
• Overall, I was satisfied with this class: 4.7
• I would recommend this training to others: 4.7

Comments:

What was most useful about this class?

• So nice to have knowledgeable person who is good as a presenter. Learned a lot, very helpful and didn’t talk down to people.
• Very thorough – great info.
• Integrating accessibility into the process

Three Things I Learned:

Comment: I owe the first two of these to John Foliot

• Awareness on accessibility don’t be like a police officer be a fireman
• Be a mensch
• Integrate accessibility into everything no separately.
• 20 questions
• Negative factors – misconceptions
• Positive factors – Pragmatism
• Defining specifics.
• Assessing processes.
• Collaborative
• Don’t over sell the problems

Suggestions for Improving the Class

• Maybe want to be careful about insulting your audience. We have a very well developed accessibility testing process group and our quality assurance engineers in accessibility testing are technical and usability experts. By the way: “ Compliance Sheriff” not Sherriff.

Other comments

• Very informative. Probably the best session I have attended.
• Loved the resources. Great knowledge

Evaluating Web Accessibility

Ratings

(5=Complete Agree; 1=Completely Disagree)

• Overall: 4.7
• The objectives of the class were clearly stated: 4.6
• The instructor(s) were knowledgeable on the subject presented: 4.8
• The instructor communicated the subject clearly: 4.8
• The slides and handouts were well done and supported learning: 4.8
• My understanding of the topic was improved by attending this class: 4.8
• I gained knowledge that I will implement in my work within 30 days: 4.5
• Overall, I was satisfied with this class: 4.6
• I would recommend this training to others: 4.8

Comments

What was most useful about this class?

• Fire eyes demo, web developer demo
• Great start to setting up a evaluation process
• Learning about testing tools including Fire Eyes
• Learned some new tools.
• Process & Firebug & Fire Eyes Walk Thru
• New tools and links.
• Provided a good list of tool to be requested.

Three things I learned

• Test
• Many tools available for testing.
• Some common issues with testing at different levels.
• Best Practices.
• TS Steps
• Testing Types
• Test documentation process.
• Fire eyes usage
• The need for a more regimented approach to evaluating methods.
• Use of case testing (sic) is effective but time consuming.
• Made participant re-think level of expertise
• What kinds of questions to inquire at leadership at work.

Suggestions for improving the class

• Technical issues with laptop provided by university.
• It was a bit disjointed at times.
• Slides and technical issues slowed the pace.

Other comments

• Great and helpful resources.
• Thanks!

AccessU 2011

In May 2011, I did two sessions on "Managing Accessibility Compliance in the Enterprise" and "Evaluating Web Accessibility" for Knowbility’s annual AccessU conference. The below information comes directly, unedited, from the surveys students filled out after each session:

Managing Accessibility Compliance in the Enterprise

• Overall rating of this training (avg.): 4.8/5
• Instructor’s understanding of subject (avg.): 4.8/5
• Instructor’s communication of subject (avg.): 4.8/5
• Would you recommend this course to others?
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
• The best thing about this course was:
  • Learning new ways of documenting or specifying objectives in accessibility for the web
  • His knowledge about the topic!
  • Everything – great speaker, provides handout and new material detailing info
  • Info shared and instant access to resources online
• If I could change one thing about this training, I would:
  • Nothing!
  • Add a few more jokes
• List 3 things you learned in this class:
  • Questions to ask about maturity of company, Stats about accessibility and those who implement it, Agile
  • Eval compliance, building accessibility into development, Risk management
  • "20" questions for gauging organizational maturity, defining the problem that includes costs, levels of managing compliance
• Have more to add?
  • Great job! I think you are, by far, the best instructor at this program. Thank you for realizing that hysteria is not a positive way to advocate for accessibility.
  • Best class ever!

Evaluating Web Accessibility

• Overall rating of this training (avg.): 4.5/5
• Instructor’s understanding of subject (avg.): 4.75/5
• Instructor’s communication of subject (avg.): 4.63/5
• Would you recommend this course to others?
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
• The best thing about this course was:
  • Nice explanation of issues involved, and types of testing
  • Interesting, fun, informative
  • The instructor’s bluntness of the subject
  • Volumes of info on testing
  • Tools
  • Testing resources referred and discussed
  • Learning about the different testing options
  • Automotion Testing
• If I could change one thing about this training, I would:
  • Add a few more jokes
  • Did not fill the time slot
  • Try to find some way to up participant activity
  • Add breaks
  • All good
• List 3 things you learned in this class:
  • Free screenreader nvda, using a methodology
  • How to set up a checklist, useful tools (mostly free), things to consider when looking into automated tools
  • Fire Eyes, Unit testing
  • Harware manipulation
• Have more to add?
  • I enjoyed the Fire Eyes demo, too! Thx!

AccessU 2010

In May 2010, I did two three-hour sessions on "Evaluating Web Accessibility" for Knowbility’s annual AccessU conference. The below information comes directly, unedited, from the surveys students filled out after each session:

• Overall Rating of this training
  • Great 57.15%
  • Good 28.6%
  • OK 14.3%
  • Poor 0%
  • Very Poor 0%
• Instructor’s Understanding of Subject
  • Great 96.45%
  • Good 3.55%
  • OK 0%
  • Poor 0%
  • Very Poor 0%
• Instructor’s Communication of Subject
  • Great 84.5%
  • Good 15.5%
  • OK 0%
  • Poor 0%
  • Very Poor 0%
• Would you recommend this course to others?
  • Yes 92.9%
  • No 0.0%
  • Not Sure 7.1%

Open-Ended Survey Questions

The following are the answers to the open-ended questions on the AccessU 2010 questionnaire (again, unedited):

• The best thing about this course was:
  • Websites, tools and examples
  • Instructor’s understanding of the subject
  • List of testing tools
  • Understanding of the evaluation process, shared great resources
  • It was a steep learning curve, but I enjoyed it
  • all resources are available to see
  • Content was fantastic
  • have a better idea of how to put together a testing process
  • Examples, methodology with explanation
  • Practical examples and methodology content
  • Great site to supplement materials and a good pace
  • Clear, practical guidelines and references for testing
  • so many materials
  • Instructor and material
  • The resources provided, like the evaluation checklist
• If I could change one thing about this training, I would:
  • nothing, Karl knows his stuff! Bring him back every year
  • nothing, love it, love it!
  • more specific walk through of actual test, not just theory
  • more time
• Have more to add? Please do
  • Thank you!
  • Best class at this conference, Great Job!
  • I liked learning about Karl’s testing methodology and the reasoning behind it
  • Karl is a very good instructor, very knowledgeable
  • Great Speaker

Kudos from Peers

The following kudos come from recommendations on my LinkedIn Profile

Karl Groves is on a very short list of people I would go to for help ensuring that a website or software application is accessible to people with disabilities. He knows thoroughly the W3C’s guidelines (WCAG 1 and 2 and ATAG 1 and 2) and the corresponding American legal requirements known by the short name of Section 508. He also knows the strengths and weaknesses of every tool I know of for assessing conformance with WCAG, ATAG, and Section 508.

If your organization needs accessibility training, Karl would be an excellent choice. He is an effective and professional instructor. I’ve also had the pleasure of serving with Karl on the Education and Outreach Working Group of the W3C’s Web Accessibility Initiative. In that role I have come to know his pragmatism, respect for others’ viewpoints, sincerity, and dedication to excellence. And let it not go unsaid that he is highly committed to the goal of making the Web fully accessible to people with disabilities.

In short, Karl is a respected leader in the field of accessibility of electronic information resources. He is reliable, is responsible, and has great integrity. If you rely on him to meet your needs, you will find that he listens well and, in spite of his vast understanding of the field, is quite humble. You will be served well, and you will be glad you chose to work with him.

Cliff Tyllick

Karl is quality. I value his deep knowledge of accessibility balanced by his pragmatic approach. He listens closely to the needs of his clients and provides solutions that meet and often exceed the requirements. He is smart yet humble and highly self-motivated. Karl is a self made man who inspires me to strive to be the best that I can be.

Glenda Sims

Karl and I work together in Deque Systems in developing training material for Deque’s suite of accessibility products. Karl directly supervised me on several projects and it was a pleasure to work with him. He has excellent time-management and project planning skills. He is very approachable and is always willing to share his expert accessibility knowledge and innovative training development ideas. He is also a very respectful and an encouraging manager with a wide range of technical and accessibility expertise. I look forward to working on more projects with Karl

Urmila Kashyap

Karl is a self motivated professional and expert in his field. It has been my pleasure to work with him. He is dedicated to the Accessibility space, and his hard work proves it. I would be happy to work with Karl on any project.

Donald Evans

Karl is an innovator and an advocate in the web accessibility community. He started the Accessiblity Baltimore meetup at the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, and has a reputation as one of the best trainers in the field.

Patrick Timony

I have had the good fortune to work with Karl at Deque Systems where he directs the training program. Karl joined Deque and quickly organized the course curriculum and began to build a very effective program that has been well received by our clients. On one large project, Karl created a skills assessment survey that was taken by over 100 employees of a company. This skills assessment survey was key to identifying areas where this client needed specific attention and we were able to create a comprehensive training program that resulted in a much more knowledgeable client. Karl has shown that he is very comfortable in client settings and is always considered to be a valued member of any account team. Karl has great communication skills and an engaging personality that clients really appreciate.

Paul Davidson

Karl is very passionate about everything he does, from his volunteer work, to his business endeavours. A solid guy who isn’t shy about keeping on top of things and getting the job done

Brian Huisman

There is no “It can’t be done” with Karl. Karl’s steadfast determination proved time and time again that the reality can match the fantasy, or in this case, the delivered product can match or exceed the spec. Karls tenacity for thoroughness and his patient, and detailed instruction made working for him not only easy and enjoyable, but highly rewarding for both me, and especially his client.

Randy Goldstein