Creating accessible data visualisations

Data visualisations are ideal for presenting "boring" figures in a beautiful way. After all, 1 image says more than 1,000 words. But did you know that not everyone sees or understands these complex graphics well?

What is a data visualisation?

A data visualisation, also known as data visualisation, is a visual representation of information and data. Often these are figures, but they can also be other data. A data visualisation helps to present complicated (sometimes even boring) data in a quick way. They also help to see and understand trends, relationships, outliers and patterns in the data.

Examples of data visualisations are:

• Graphs and diagrams

• Maps

• Infographics

• Dashboards

• Organograms

• Timelines

Sometimes a data visualisation is a combination of several small data visualisations. For example, consider an infographic or dashboard that also includes graphs, charts and maps. Data visualisations are generally complex images with a lot of information.

Digitally accessible data visualisations

A data visualisation aims to help people understand complex data more easily. A data visualisation informs, but it can also entertain or activate.

Not everyone can see or understand data visualisations well. This may be due to a vision impairment or cognitive impairment. For example, someone who is colour-blind may have difficulty distinguishing between different dates in a graph. Persons with severe vision impairment, for example, have difficulty reading certain texts and rely on reading aloud software. There are also people who have difficulty understanding visual information.

Making data visualisation (digitally) accessible is therefore important and sometimes even necessary for a large group. It ensures that these people are not excluded from this information. Often, it already helps to provide a alternative, for example in the form of a text, table, list or sound clip.

Storytelling with data

Storytelling with data or freely translated "Storytelling with data" is a method of using images to create, inform or activate an experience. Data visualisations such as an infographic are ideal for employing storytelling.

Each type of data requires a different approach. Some sets of data are better presented in a chart, others in a map. Multiple data sources may also be combined in an infographic or online dashboard.

A good, fully-fledged alternative is important when storytelling and experience are important, especially if the data visualisation itself is not fully accessible. Cardan Technobility is happy to think with you to find the best alternative for your data visualisation.

GIS and maps

Maps and map applications are subject to a legal exception. Government organisations do not have to make them digitally accessible. They often have so much visual information that it is almost impossible to make a map accessible. However, maps intended for navigation must have an alternative.

Maps are often used in geo-information systems (GIS). Spatial data about geographical areas (geo-information) are presented in a visual way. GIS presentations are often highly complex data visualisations.

Due to the legal exception, maps are often ignored. As a result, the information on these maps is often unavailable to visitors who are, for example, blind or visually impaired. This information may be relevant or interesting to them. Therefore, provide an accessible alternative, such as a list or table.

The specialists at Cardan Technobility are therefore happy to think with you to also make maps and GIS accessible or to provide a creative and equivalent alternative.

Creating digitally accessible data visualisations yourself?

Do you regularly create data visualisations such as infographics, maps, charts and diagrams? Then download now our infographic "Creating accessible data visualisations".