Data Visualization

To create accessible data visualizations, follow the accessibility guidelines for content creators and developers. Some accessibility considerations are particularly important for this type of content:

Ensure keyboard accessibility

• Some users can’t or don’t use a mouse, so all interactive elements must be reachable and actionable via keyboard only.
• There must be a visible focus indicator to show where a user is when using a keyboard to navigate.
• The order when using a keyboard for navigation should match the visual order.

Consider color

• Sufficient color contrast must exist for text and interactive elements against the background.
  • Use a color contrast checker.
• Color alone should not be used to convey meaning
  • Use secondary indicators like labels or symbols in addition to color in charts, graphs, etc.

Include appropriate alternative text for all non-decorative images

• Writing Alt Text for Data Visualization

Other considerations

• Embed your accessible dashboard on an accessible webpage
• Provide a link to underlying data and a text interpretation if the dashboard has accessibility challenges. The text summary should convey the same insights as the visuals. The summary needs to be updated whenever the data changes significantly.
• Include titles and captions for each chart

Resources

• Build Accessible Dashboards (Tableau)
• Build Data Views for Accessibility (Tableau)
• FAQ: Accessibility (Tableau)
• How Accessibility Standards Can Empower Better Chart Visual Design (Smashing Magazine)