Accessibility in Data Visualizations Continues

Creating accessible data visualizations involves considering three key design dimensions: structure, navigation, and description. Structure involves organizing information hierarchically, navigation addresses the user's movement through different levels of detail, and description focuses on how information is conveyed. For visually impaired users, auditory cues, subtitles, and volume controls are crucial when implementing voice UX assistants. High contrast modes, designed with a 4.5:1 color contrast ratio, cater to individuals with color blindness. Macro white space aids those with spatial reasoning difficulties and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder by facilitating faster information processing and reducing cognitive load.

UX designers should provide alternative text options for data tables and images, catering to screen readers. Oracle recommends explicit definitions of table summaries, titles, and headers. Focus on interactive elements like links or buttons is essential, ensuring keyboard navigation. Accessible features include visual headers, screen reader tips, keyboard navigation, focus mode, and data table display.

To enhance accessibility, consider tab order, titles, labels, and markers instead of relying solely on color. Report themes and alt text descriptions for visuals and images help screen reader users understand content. Testing for low vision can be done by adjusting screen brightness or using browser add-ons for a squint test. Overall, prioritizing these design considerations ensures inclusive access to information for a diverse range of users. — https://keen.io/blog/accessibility-in-data-vis/