How to Make Infographics Accessible for Visually Impaired Users

Creating infographics is a fantastic way to communicate complex data quickly and effectively. While they enhance understanding for sighted users, infographics pose significant accessibility barriers for visually impaired individuals. It is crucial for designers to incorporate accessibility into their infographics to ensure they can be comprehended by everyone, including those with visual or cognitive disabilities.

Understanding the Challenge

Visually impaired individuals often rely on touch to interpret information. They can trace outlines of infographics or follow tactile guides to grasp the data being presented. One common method is to use a liquid rubber tube or matchsticks to create raised outlines or symbols that can be felt. This tactile representation helps users discern the key elements and relationships within the infographic.

Best Practices for Infographic Accessibility

Designing infographics with accessibility in mind is not only ethical, but it also enhances the overall user experience. Here are some best practices to follow:

1. Use HTML and CSS Code

Do not create infographics as a single image. Instead, code them using HTML and CSS. This enables screen readers to read the text and interpret the data accurately. This step is crucial for ensuring that visually impaired users can understand the content.

2. Supplement with Text Descriptions

While making infographics accessible through code is essential, providing detailed text descriptions is equally important. These descriptions can be integrated into the web page or provided as supplementary materials. For example, a timeline infographic can be described in a narrative form that captures the key events and dates.

3. Choose the Right Tools

Utilize tools like Infogram to design infographics. Infogram allows you to create infographics and make them available online, enhancing accessibility through proper coding practices.

4. Break Down Complex Graphs

Network diagrams and other complex infographics can be overwhelming for visually impaired users. Break down these graphs into smaller, manageable sections. Provide detailed descriptions for each section to guide the user through the graph's elements and relationships.

Using Infographics for Information Transmission

Infographics are a powerful tool for conveying information quickly and effectively. However, for visually impaired users, the information must be translated into text-based formats to ensure comprehension. Here are some examples of how different types of infographics can be described using text:

Time-Series Data

For time-based data, represent it through a textual description:

Here is a simplified representation of a hypothetical time-series data point for the stock market:

The stock market showed a steady increase in value from January to March. In April, the market experienced a slight dip, followed by a sharp rise in the subsequent months. By June, the value had reached its peak, after which it began to decline, leading to a steady decrease in value by the end of the year.

Statistical Data and Maps

For statistical data and maps:

Statistical data can be explained through text in a clear and concise manner. For example:

A recent survey revealed that 70% of participants preferred coffee over tea. When broken down by geographic regions, 80% of participants in the Western region preferred coffee, while 60% preferred tea in the Eastern region.

Maps can be described by focusing on the key regions and areas:

A map indicating the distribution of weather stations across the United States can be described as follows:

This map displays the locations of 100 weather stations across the United States. Most of the stations are concentrated in the Eastern region, with fewer stations in the Western and Southern regions.

Hierarchical Data

Hierarchies can also be represented through text. For example:

Object-oriented programming languages can be broken down into the following categories:

Object-oriented programming languages are further divided into two main categories: object-oriented programming languages and functional programming languages. Object-oriented programming languages, in turn, are further broken down into three types: class-based programming, prototype-based programming, and interface-based programming. Functional programming languages consist of two categories: purely functional languages and functional programming with side effects. Each of these categories can be further subdivided by specific languages and features.

Conclusion

Infographics provide a rapid and visually appealing way to convey information. By integrating accessibility features such as text descriptions and proper coding practices, designers can ensure that visually impaired users can fully understand and benefit from the data being presented. This approach not only enhances the inclusiveness of your web content but also improves search engine optimization, making your content more discoverable to a wider audience.