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Improving Low-Vision Chart Accessibility via On-Cursor Visual Context

Yotam Sechayk, Hennes Rave, Max Rädler, Mark Colley, Zhongyi Zhou, Ariel Shamir, Takeo Igarashi

TL;DR

This work proposes two pointer-based interaction methods to provide visual access to critical context for Low-Vision Individuals: Dynamic Context, a novel focus+context interaction, and Mini-map, which adapts overview+detail principles for LVI.

Abstract

Despite widespread use, charts remain largely inaccessible for Low-Vision Individuals (LVI). Reading charts requires viewing data points within a global context, which is difficult for LVI who may rely on magnification or experience a partial field of vision. We aim to improve exploration by providing visual access to critical context. To inform this, we conducted a formative study with five LVI. We identified four fundamental contextual elements common across chart types: axes, legend, grid lines, and the overview. We propose two pointer-based interaction methods to provide this context: Dynamic Context, a novel focus+context interaction, and Mini-map, which adapts overview+detail principles for LVI. In a study with N=22 LVI, we compared both methods and evaluated their integration to current tools. Our results show that Dynamic Context had significant positive impact on access, usability, and effort reduction; however, worsened visual load. Mini-map strengthened spatial understanding, but was less preferred for this task. We offer design insights to guide the development of future systems that support LVI with visual context while balancing visual load.

Improving Low-Vision Chart Accessibility via On-Cursor Visual Context

TL;DR

This work proposes two pointer-based interaction methods to provide visual access to critical context for Low-Vision Individuals: Dynamic Context, a novel focus+context interaction, and Mini-map, which adapts overview+detail principles for LVI.

Abstract

Despite widespread use, charts remain largely inaccessible for Low-Vision Individuals (LVI). Reading charts requires viewing data points within a global context, which is difficult for LVI who may rely on magnification or experience a partial field of vision. We aim to improve exploration by providing visual access to critical context. To inform this, we conducted a formative study with five LVI. We identified four fundamental contextual elements common across chart types: axes, legend, grid lines, and the overview. We propose two pointer-based interaction methods to provide this context: Dynamic Context, a novel focus+context interaction, and Mini-map, which adapts overview+detail principles for LVI. In a study with N=22 LVI, we compared both methods and evaluated their integration to current tools. Our results show that Dynamic Context had significant positive impact on access, usability, and effort reduction; however, worsened visual load. Mini-map strengthened spatial understanding, but was less preferred for this task. We offer design insights to guide the development of future systems that support LVI with visual context while balancing visual load.
Paper Structure (52 sections, 10 figures, 7 tables)

This paper contains 52 sections, 10 figures, 7 tables.

Table of Contents

  1. Participants
  2. Procedure
  3. Analysis
  4. Findings
  5. Current AT preferences
  6. Strategies when accessing charts
  7. Visual navigation challenges
  8. Excessive need for manual operations.
  9. Inconsistent layout.
  10. Spread-out context
  11. Tracking and comparing.
  12. Design Goals
  13. Interaction Methods
  14. Dynamic Context
  15. User customization
  16. ...and 37 more sections

Figures (10)

  • Figure 1: Mini-map (left) and Dynamic Context (right) with each of their components.
  • Figure 2: Default configuration of Dynamic Context (left), and an alternative configuration (right) using some of the available settings.
  • Figure 3: Examples of different axis ratio configurations. (left) value of 30%, (right) value of 80%. When axes are larger than the overlay area, they intersect at its bottom-left corner.
  • Figure 4: Default configuration of Mini-map (left), and an alternative configuration (right) using some of the available settings.
  • Figure 5: Outline of the study procedure. Participants repeat the process of viewing the example questions and adjusting their settings until they are satisfied.
  • ...and 5 more figures