Graph Accessibility

The practice of making charts, graphs, and other data visualisations perceivable and understandable to people with disabilities, particularly those who are blind or have low vision. Graph accessibility encompasses multiple strategies including meaningful alternative text that conveys the high-level message of the graphic (not just raw data), sonification that maps data values to audio, tactile representations using raised lines or haptic feedback, and structured data tables as alternatives to visual displays. Effective graph accessibility goes beyond describing visual appearance to communicate the insight or trend the graphic is intended to convey, such as whether values are rising, falling, or changing direction. WCAG requires non-text content to have text alternatives, but practical guidance on describing complex data visualisations remains an evolving area of accessibility practice.