IEEE VIS 2024 Content: From Graphs to Words: A Computer-Assisted Framework for the Production of Accessible Text Descriptions

From Graphs to Words: A Computer-Assisted Framework for the Production of Accessible Text Descriptions

Qiang Xu - Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, Canada

Thomas Hurtut - Polytechnique Montreal, Montreal, Canada

Room: Palma Ceia I

2024-10-16T13:03:00ZGMT-0600Change your timezone on the schedule page
2024-10-16T13:03:00Z
Exemplar figure, described by caption below
Main interface with three components: A. List of features in input chart, B. Generated descriptions of selected features, and C. Input chart itself. The list of features includes dropdowns for variable selection, and the generated descriptions are interactively linked to the chart.
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Keywords

Accessibility, chart text description.

Abstract

In the digital landscape, the ubiquity of data visualizations in media underscores the necessity for accessibility to ensure inclusivity for all users, including those with visual impairments. Current visual content often fails to cater to the needs of screen reader users due to the absence of comprehensive textual descriptions. To address this gap, we propose in this paper a framework designed to empower media content creators to transform charts into descriptive narratives. This tool not only facilitates the understanding of complex visual data through text but also fosters a broader awareness of accessibility in digital content creation. Through the application of this framework, users can interpret and convey the insights of data visualizations more effectively, accommodating a diverse audience. Our evaluations reveal that this tool not only enhances the comprehension of data visualizations but also promotes new perspectives on the represented data, thereby broadening the interpretative possibilities for all users.