Online surveys rarely accessible
Directive (EU) 2016/2102, adopted by the European Union in 2016, is unequivocal: all public sector bodies are required to make their websites and mobile applications accessible. This means, for example, that screen readers must be able to access the content, that the language must be understandable, and that fonts must be of an appropriate size and contrast. In a recent study, a team led by communication scientist Professor Volker Gehrau from the University of Münster found that many academics are barely aware of these requirements, which are also relevant for online surveys, and only implement them to a very limited extent. Around 90 per cent of respondents said that they often make an effort to use comprehensible language. However, only around one in five pay attention to technical aspects such as sufficient contrast, appropriate font size and a screen reader. “People with disabilities therefore only have very limited opportunities to participate in surveys,” reported Volker Gehrau. “In other words: We exclude certain people from surveys.” The researcher pointed out that around 20 per cent of the German population could be affected, for example because they are illiterate or have a hearing or visual impairment. In the survey of 352 researchers, 65 per cent said they considered accessible surveys to be important. However, less than 10 per cent of the respondents were aware of EU accessibility requirements.
To find out which tools can be used effectively in online surveys, the Münster research group sought advice from people with cognitive and motor impairments. Many measures proved helpful: the font size should be at least 14 points. Answer options should be supplemented with coloured smileys to express agreement or disagreement, for example. And a read-aloud function should be clearly visible. An accessible font such as Atkinson Hyperlegible also helps with readability, as the number 0 and the letters O and Q are clearly distinguishable. Volker Gehrau’s team has summarised these and many other measures in a list of recommendations for the design of accessible online surveys. The list ensures that online surveys largely comply with EU directives. The additional work involved is minimal, as all recommendations can be easily implemented on standard survey platforms.
But it is not only people with disabilities who benefit from these measures. Volker Gehrau and his team conducted a survey with different versions and a subsequent discussion with 500 high school students of different educational levels at vocational colleges in Münster and Warendorf to investigate how an accessible design increases the comprehensibility of the survey as well as the respondents’ motivation and willingness to participate in the survey. The result: simple language, the read-aloud function and the dark mode all improved the survey experience. The dark mode reverses light and dark, which many people find more comfortable to read.
According to Gehrau, the scientific community will also benefit from more accurate data on people with disabilities as a result of the increased focus on accessibility in surveys. “Political decisions are often based on scientific findings. But how can meaningful decisions be made for people with disabilities if they are largely unable to participate in studies?” He added that a more understandable questionnaire would also lead to more accurate responses from people without disabilities. It would also reduce the general reluctance to complete surveys. “Every survey is a burden,” Volker Gehrau remarked. “I want to keep that burden as low as possible.” “Ultimately, accessibility benefits us all,” the researcher concluded.
Author: Linus Peikenkamp
This article is from the university newspaper wissen|leben No. 3, 7 May 2025.