Towards Enhancing Low Vision Usability of Data Charts on Smartphones

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Accessibility Research
• Data Visualization

Background:

• Data charts are crucial for data interpretation but pose accessibility challenges for individuals with visual impairments.
• Existing research primarily addresses barriers for blind screen reader users, neglecting low-vision users of screen magnifiers.
• Low-vision users experience difficulties with data charts on mobile devices due to magnification-induced loss of visual context.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the overlooked challenges faced by low-vision screen magnifier users interacting with data charts.
• To develop and evaluate a method for transforming static data charts into interactive visualizations that preserve context under magnification.

Main Methods:

• Conducted an interview study with low-vision participants to understand chart interaction challenges.
• Developed a method to automatically convert non-interactive charts into personalizable interactive versions.
• Evaluated the method in a usability study with 26 low-vision participants performing chart-related tasks.

Main Results:

• The developed method significantly improved chart usability for low-vision participants compared to standard screen magnification and a space compaction technique.
• Participants reported enhanced ability to interact with data points and maintain visual context under magnification.
• The interactive chart transformation method demonstrated superior performance in a usability study.

Conclusions:

• The proposed method effectively enhances the accessibility of data charts for low-vision screen magnifier users.
• Personalizable interactive charts can mitigate the loss of visual context experienced on smaller screens.
• Further research should explore adaptive visualization techniques to improve data chart accessibility for diverse visual abilities.