TADA: Making Node-link Diagrams Accessible to Blind and Low-Vision People
arXiv:2311.04502 · doi:10.1145/3613904.3642222
Abstract
Diagrams often appear as node-link representations in many contexts, such as taxonomies, mind maps and networks in textbooks. Despite their pervasiveness, they present significant accessibility challenges for blind and low-vision people. To address this challenge, we introduce Touch-and-Audio-based Diagram Access (TADA), a tablet-based interactive system that makes diagram exploration accessible through musical tones and speech. We designed and developed TADA informed by insights gained from an interview study with 15 participants who shared their challenges and strategies for accessing diagrams. TADA enables people to access a diagram by: i) engaging in open-ended touch-based explorations, ii) allowing searching of specific nodes, iii) navigating from one node to another and iv) filtering information. We evaluated TADA with 25 participants and found that it can be a useful tool for gaining different perspectives about the diagram and participants could complete several diagram-related tasks.
arXiv commentHonourable Mention Award. ACM CHI 2024. DOI: 10.1145/3613904.3642222
References in corpus (6)
- Accessible Interactive Maps for Visually Impaired Users
- Interactive audio-tactile maps for visually impaired people
- SeeChart: Enabling Accessible Visualizations Through Interactive Natural Language Interface For People with Visual Impairments
- ImageAssist: Tools for Enhancing Touchscreen-Based Image Exploration Systems for Blind and Low Vision Users
- Tactile Presentation of Network Data: Text, Matrix or Diagram?
- Evaluation of Automated Image Descriptions for Visually Impaired Students