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TADA: Making Node-link Diagrams Accessible to Blind and Low-Vision People

Yichun Zhao, Miguel A. Nacenta, Mahadeo A. Sukhai, Sowmya Somanath

TL;DR

The paper addresses the gap in accessible diagram representations for blind and low-vision users by introducing Touch-and-Audio-based Diagram Access (TADA), a tablet-based system that preserves diagram spatial relationships through touch and audio. It combines an iterative, user-centered design process with an empirical formative study and a subsequent evaluative study (25 participants) to validate a multi-gesture, sound-centric interface that enables overview, navigation, and detail access to node-link diagrams. A ladder of diagram access structures the qualitative findings from the formative work, guiding design decisions toward higher levels of accessibility and efficiency. The work demonstrates that affordable, multi-modal interaction on common tablets can meaningfully improve diagram access for BLV users, supporting richer perspectives and potentially broader equity in educational and professional contexts.

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.

TADA: Making Node-link Diagrams Accessible to Blind and Low-Vision People

TL;DR

The paper addresses the gap in accessible diagram representations for blind and low-vision users by introducing Touch-and-Audio-based Diagram Access (TADA), a tablet-based system that preserves diagram spatial relationships through touch and audio. It combines an iterative, user-centered design process with an empirical formative study and a subsequent evaluative study (25 participants) to validate a multi-gesture, sound-centric interface that enables overview, navigation, and detail access to node-link diagrams. A ladder of diagram access structures the qualitative findings from the formative work, guiding design decisions toward higher levels of accessibility and efficiency. The work demonstrates that affordable, multi-modal interaction on common tablets can meaningfully improve diagram access for BLV users, supporting richer perspectives and potentially broader equity in educational and professional contexts.

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.
Paper Structure (58 sections, 5 figures, 3 tables)

This paper contains 58 sections, 5 figures, 3 tables.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Related Work
  3. Non-spatial Systems
  4. Chart Readers
  5. Map Accessibility Systems
  6. Images and Raster Renderers
  7. Vector- or Object-based Spatial Systems
  8. Systems for Node-link and Diagram Display
  9. Interaction Techniques
  10. Formative Interviews: Challenges with and Strategies for Diagram Accessibility
  11. Participants
  12. Procedure
  13. Data Collection and Analysis
  14. Findings
  15. Ladder of Diagram Access
  16. ...and 43 more sections

Figures (5)

  • Figure 1: The seven interaction techniques supported by TADA. Continuous arrows indicate touch traces of the finger and discontinuous arrow are flicks. The speakerphone and speech bubbles indicate the use of abstract sounds and speech respectively.
  • Figure 2: Diagrams presented in TADA as stimuli.
  • Figure 3: Correctness of answers to quantitative questions listed in Table \ref{['tab:tasks']}.
  • Figure 4: NASA-TLX workload rating histograms. The number in each cell indicates the number of participants selecting that workload rating.
  • Figure 5: Complex diagram examples for TADA.