Enhancing Sensemaking for Blind and Low-Vision Individuals: Navigating the Accessibility Ladder of Diagrams

Core Concepts

Blind and low-vision individuals face significant barriers in accessing and making sense of diagrammatic information, which is crucial for many professional tasks. The Ladder of Diagram Access framework outlines the different levels of information access and highlights the challenges and strategies employed by this community to overcome these barriers and participate in the data-driven workforce.

Abstract

The paper explores the topic of sensemaking from the perspective of visual accessibility, focusing on the experiences and challenges faced by the blind and low-vision (BLV) community. It builds upon a previous qualitative interview study that resulted in the Ladder of Diagram Access framework, which characterizes the different levels of information access that BLV individuals can achieve when interacting with diagrams.
The key insights from the study are:

Unaware of Representation: BLV individuals may be unaware of the existence of a diagram due to it being skipped or ignored by their assistive technology or informants.

Aware of Representation: BLV individuals know a diagram exists but lack further information about it, such as the type of diagram or what it represents.

Single Static Perspective: BLV individuals can access a diagram from a single static perspective, such as alternative text, but lack control over the level of detail and granularity of the information.

Multiple Perspectives: BLV individuals gain additional perspectives of the diagram beyond a static description, allowing more interactive and flexible query and navigation.

Comprehensive Access: BLV individuals can access the diagram comparably to sighted individuals in terms of efficiency and effectiveness, enabling tasks like understanding, analyzing, and creating new knowledge from the data.

The paper discusses the current practices and challenges related to sensemaking faced by BLV individuals at different levels of the ladder. Key challenges include inconsistencies in information from multiple perspectives, the need to reconcile conflicting details, and the reliance on sighted individuals or other sources for additional perspectives.
The paper also explores the implications of these challenges on the sensemaking process, highlighting the importance of considering both explicit and tacit schemas, managing cognitive load, and addressing power dynamics. It proposes potential solutions and strategies, such as universal design, translation tools, and sensemaking tools, to create a more inclusive data-driven workforce.

Stats

"Sometimes, you just want to skim something, and you can't. You can't do the "cheaty" short[cut] method of looking at the diagrams [visually] and inferring the information."
"I don't have enough information [from the diagram] ... I think it makes a difference too if I actually need it for something [to perform tasks on], or if it's just kind of something that's just there."
"The challenge is ... [to] work out [multiple accesses to information] that are going to work universally [so that] I, the next person, and the next person after will be able to interpret them all in a similar way."
"Everybody has a different way of explaining something, and if somebody missed some key things, then it's important to get an explanation from 2 or 3 people, and then I can put things together better."

Quotes

"It's always best to simplify and break up the topic into multiple diagrams, or you risk making it useless"
"Start with a basic outline and then try filling in the detail."
"Sometimes you have to come up with new ways of representing things ... so that you know this relates to this, but in an alternative way it relates to that as well"

Key Insights Distilled From

Tools and Tasks in Sensemaking

by Yichun Zhao,... at arxiv.org 04-02-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2404.00192.pdf

Deeper Inquiries

How can sensemaking tools and techniques be designed to better accommodate the diverse needs and preferences of blind and low-vision individuals?

To better accommodate the diverse needs and preferences of blind and low-vision individuals in sensemaking, tools and techniques can be designed with several considerations in mind. Firstly, incorporating multiple modalities for information presentation is crucial. This means providing options for auditory, tactile, and other non-visual forms of representation to cater to different preferences and abilities. Additionally, implementing translation tools that can convert information from visual to non-visual formats can enhance accessibility. These tools should allow for customization, enabling users to choose the mode of representation that best suits their needs.
Furthermore, universal design principles should be applied to ensure that sensemaking tools are accessible to all individuals, regardless of their abilities. This involves creating interfaces that are intuitive, flexible, and easy to navigate, accommodating a wide range of users. By considering the diverse needs and preferences of blind and low-vision individuals during the design process, sensemaking tools can be more inclusive and effective for all users.

What are the potential unintended consequences of relying on sighted individuals or other sources for additional perspectives on diagrams, and how can these be mitigated?

Relying on sighted individuals or other sources for additional perspectives on diagrams can have several unintended consequences for blind and low-vision individuals. One major issue is the potential for inconsistencies in the information provided by different sources, leading to confusion and hindering the sensemaking process. This can result in cognitive overload and difficulties in synthesizing conflicting details, impacting the individual's understanding of the data.
To mitigate these unintended consequences, it is essential to implement strategies that promote consistency and accuracy in the information provided. This can be achieved through the development of standardized guidelines for describing diagrams to ensure uniformity across sources. Additionally, leveraging technology such as translation tools that can convert visual information into non-visual formats can help reduce reliance on sighted individuals and provide more reliable perspectives for blind and low-vision individuals.
Encouraging collaboration and feedback among blind and low-vision individuals can also help validate information and ensure its accuracy. By fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where individuals can share their perspectives and insights, the potential unintended consequences of relying on external sources can be minimized.

What insights from the field of cognitive science and human-computer interaction could be leveraged to enhance the sensemaking process for blind and low-vision individuals, beyond just the accessibility of diagrams?

Insights from cognitive science and human-computer interaction can be leveraged to enhance the sensemaking process for blind and low-vision individuals in various ways. One key aspect is understanding the cognitive processes involved in sensemaking and designing tools that align with how individuals perceive, process, and interpret information. By applying principles of cognitive psychology, such as mental models and information processing, sensemaking tools can be tailored to support the cognitive needs of blind and low-vision users.
Moreover, incorporating theories of human-computer interaction, such as the concept of affordances and feedback loops, can enhance the usability and effectiveness of sensemaking tools for individuals with visual impairments. By designing interfaces that provide clear feedback and intuitive interactions, blind and low-vision users can navigate and manipulate information more efficiently.
Additionally, considering the social aspects of sensemaking, such as collaboration and communication, can further improve the sensemaking process for blind and low-vision individuals. By facilitating interactions with peers, experts, and assistive technologies, sensemaking tools can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with visual impairments to engage in complex data analysis and decision-making tasks.