Interview with Matt Kuznicki, Chief System Architect of AbleDocs, about PDF Days Online 2021

Excerpt: Interview with Matt Kuznicki, Chief System Architect of AbleDocs, about PDF Days Online 2021


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Interview

August 18, 2021
by PDF Association staff


Matt KuznickiPDF Association: At the PDF Days Online 2021, you will be hosting a presentation titled “Lessons from implementing a PDF/UA-centric mobile reader” – what’s that about?

Matt Kuznicki: In the process of creating a PDF viewer for mobile platforms that is focused on providing a great experience with accessible PDF files (PDF/UA files) for all users – those using assistive technologies and others who want an easier way to view these – we’ve learned quite a bit about what makes for a good experience for our users. We’ve also made some mistakes along the way, where we’re eager to share our experiences so others might learn from these.

PDF Association: Who is your presentation aimed at?

Matt Kuznicki: Anyone who is interested in learning more about user needs and desires for reading PDF files!

When building software, it’s all too easy to fall into the trap of believing that your needs and wants are the same as those of your target market. Most often, this is far from true. Different users have different features and functionalities that they need, different tasks to perform, and exist in different environments from those who are creating software. This presentation is aiming to be a reminder of what is important to a specific audience – users of PDF reading software who require or benefit greatly from accessibility features for consuming documents.

PDF Association: What will the people who attend your presentation be able to take away from it?

Matt Kuznicki: Attendees will leave with insights on what affordances and capabilities users who rely on assistive technologies and other assistance from their mobile devices are most interested in. They’ll also have a chance to hear about and learn from some of the obstacles we’ve run into and hurdles we’ve needed to overcome in the process of creating an accessibility-focused PDF/UA mobile reader.

PDF Association: The PDF Days Online has become the leading PDF event. What makes the PDF Days so unique in your mind?

Matt Kuznicki: Since its inception, the PDF Days series of events has been a valuable chance for those in the industry to get together to collaborate, to learn about what others are doing – and in a way that invites PDF users and those interested in learning more about PDF to join along in a top-notch educational experience. The mix of different perspectives among the attendees and the opportunity to share and discuss not just where digital documents are today, but where they are going, with the people who are helping to make it happen: PDF Days represents a unique opportunity to collaborate on a better today and a better tomorrow for digital information.

PDF Association: Thank you! We look forward to seeing you at the PDF Days Online 2021.