Today, we had a special session about creating a tableau dashboard for people with accessibility needs, for example people who have visual or motor impairments. There are several common reasons why as a tableau consultant, it is important to always make visualizations more accessible.
First, designing an accessible dashboard ensures that individuals with visual or motor impairments can access and interact with the data on an equal basis. It promotes inclusivity and allows everyone, regardless of their abilities, to benefit from the insights and information presented in the dashboard. Secondly, accessible dashboards provide individuals with disabilities an opportunity to access and understand data in a format that suits their needs. By removing barriers and providing alternative formats or interaction methods, you empower them to independently explore and analyze data, promoting their equal access to information. Thirdly, many countries have legislation and accessibility standards in place that require digital content, including dashboards, to be accessible to individuals with disabilities. Creating an accessible dashboard ensures compliance with these legal requirements and aligns with ethical considerations of inclusivity and equal access. Moreover, an accessible dashboard can benefit organizations by reaching a wider audience, including potential customers or stakeholders with disabilities. It demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility, enhancing the organization's reputation and potentially opening up new opportunities.
Then, how to make our dashboard more accessible? Here are some tips I learned from today’s session:
1. Use an accessible color palette: Ensure that the colors you choose have sufficient contrast and are accessible to people with color blindness or low vision. You can use Color Contrast Checker tools like Coolors (https://coolors.co/contrast-checker/f5f2ec-006699) to verify the color contrast ratio.
2. Provide alternative text for images: If you include images or charts in your dashboard, provide alternative text (alt text) that describes the content of the image. Screen readers can then read out this text to users with visual impairments.
3. Utilize descriptive titles and labels: Use clear and descriptive titles for each component of your dashboard, such as charts, tables, and filters. This helps users understand the purpose of each element.
4. Consider font size and style: Choose a font size and style that is legible and ensure there is enough spacing between elements. For users with low vision, it may be helpful to provide an option to increase the font size.
5. Implement keyboard navigation: Ensure that all interactive elements of the dashboard, such as filters and buttons, are accessible via keyboard navigation. Users should be able to navigate through the dashboard using the Tab key and activate elements using the Enter or Space key.
6. Design for screen reader compatibility: Test your dashboard with a screen reader to ensure compatibility. Ensure that the screen reader can correctly read out the content, including titles, labels, and any additional information.
7. Provide data in alternative formats: Consider providing data in alternative formats, such as downloadable spreadsheets or accessible PDFs, for users who may have difficulty interacting with visual elements.
Lastly, it should be noted that you don't just design for users of assistive technology. You design for everyone who could possibly use it. This leads to the concept of “Universal design”, which aims for a single design which can be used by the most people, without the need for adaptation.