Data Design for Everyone: Making Data Visualisation Truly Accessible

When I’m building dashboards or designing visual stories with data, I often stop and ask myself: Who might I be leaving out? It’s easy to assume that a chart is “clear” because it makes sense to me. But real accessibility starts when we consider how different people experience the same visual – and not just those with visual impairments, but also users navigating with keyboards, using screen readers, or simply viewing on mobile in harsh sunlight.

Accessibility and good data visualisation go hand in hand. At their core, both disciplines aim to make information easy to understand and act upon. The more inclusive my visuals are, the more effective they become.

Colour Isn’t Enough

Take colour, for example. It’s one of the most commonly misused design elements in data viz. Early on, I had to unlearn the habit of using colour as the only way to differentiate data. Now, I use it with intent: paired with shapes, labels, or patterns, always with sufficient contrast.

I aim for a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for text and 3:1 for chart elements like lines and bars. These aren’t just numbers, they’re guardrails that help ensure someone with low vision or colour blindness isn’t excluded from the story.

Tell the Story with Words Too

But accessibility isn’t only about vision. Screen reader users need meaningful alt text – not a dry “Bar chart showing sales by month” – but something that summarises key insights: “Sales peaked in June and dipped in August, with a steady rise since.” And if the visual’s too complex? I write a longer description. Not perfect, but better than leaving people guessing.

Writing the insight first, before drawing the chart, helps me clarify what I want the visual to say, and that clarity helps everyone.

Keyboard First, Not Last

Then there’s interaction. If I’ve added filters, tooltips, or drilldowns, I make sure everything works with a keyboard. Tab order, focus indicators, and skip links all matter.

I’ve found that thinking through the keyboard experience makes my designs better for everyone, not just those with mobility challenges. And frankly, it’s made me more thoughtful about what interactions are necessary in the first place.

Simplicity is Inclusive

A visual filled with drop shadows, gradients, and dense legends might look fancy, but it’s often harder to interpret. Clean layouts, plain language, direct labels, and a simple table view alongside the chart can go a long way in helping people make sense of the data.

Restraint is underrated. When I strip back the decoration and focus on clarity, the result is more accessible by default.

Accessibility is a Mindset, Not a Checklist

It’s easy to approach accessibility like a checklist. But I’ve come to see it more as a mindset, a commitment to design in a way that invites more people in. Not every dashboard I’ve built is perfect, and I still get things wrong. But each time I pause to ask, “Who might struggle with this?” I take a step closer to inclusive, responsible data storytelling.

Start Small, Stay Curious

So if you’re building visuals, dashboards, or reports, I’d encourage you to do the same. Test with different users. Read your dashboard out loud. Try navigating with just a keyboard. Ask someone who uses assistive tech for feedback.

Accessibility isn’t a feature, it’s a fundamental part of designing for impact.

And isn’t that what we’re all trying to do?