How to Make Infographics Accessible

Infographics have become a powerful tool for transferring data in a visually engaging and easy-to-understand way. They are used across various fields, from education and marketing to journalism and data analysis. However, to ensure that infographics are truly effective, they must also be accessible to all individuals, including those with disabilities. Here, we will explore the importance of accessibility in infographics and provide detailed steps to make infographics accessible.

Understanding Accessibility

Accessibility in the context of infographics refers to making these visual representations of data and information perceivable and understandable for people with disabilities. It includes individuals who are blind or have low vision, those with cognitive impairments, and people with other disabilities that affect how they access and interpret information.

The Importance of Accessibility

Accessibility is designing content and products to ensure they can be used and understood by all individuals, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. In the context of infographics, accessibility is essential for several reasons:

• Inclusivity: Accessibility ensures that everyone can access and understand the information presented in an infographic regardless of their abilities. It aligns with the principles of inclusivity and diversity, promoting equal access to knowledge and data. By making infographics inclusive, you reach a broader audience and promote equal access to information.
• Legal Compliance: Many governments have laws and rules requiring digital accessibility solution providers, including infographics, to be accessible. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in legal consequences.
• Ethical Considerations: Ensuring that your infographics are accessible is not just a legal obligation; it's also an ethical one. Everyone deserves equal access to information and knowledge.

Types of Disabilities to Consider

It's important to understand the different types of disabilities that individuals may have. The key categories of disabilities to consider include:

Visual Disabilities

• Blindness: Individuals who are blind cannot see visual content, including graphics and images.

• Low Vision: People with low vision have limited sight, making perceiving small text or intricate details challenging.

Hearing Disabilities

• Deafness: Deaf individuals cannot hear audio content like voiceovers or sound effects.

• Hard of Hearing: Those who are hard of hearing may require captions or transcripts for audio elements.

Motor Disabilities

• Motor Impairments: People with motor disabilities may have difficulty using a mouse or touchscreen, requiring alternative input methods.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a globally recognized set of guidelines set by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to provide a web range, including infographics, accessible to people with disabilities. WCAG provides a framework for creating accessible content and is organized into four main principles:

Perceivable:

Infographics should be delivered in a way that can be perceived by all users, including those with sensory disabilities. It involves providing text alternatives for non-text content, such as images and graphics.

Operable:

Infographics should be operable by individuals with various disabilities, including ensuring that all interactive elements, such as buttons and links, are navigable using a keyboard or alternative input method.

Understandable:

Infographics should be designed in a way that is easy to understand. This concerns utilizing clear and concise language, organizing information logically, and providing user instructions when necessary.

Robust:

Infographics should be robust and compatible with current and future technologies. It ensures that as technology evolves, your infographics will remain accessible.

Creating Accessible Infographics

Now that we have a solid understanding of the importance of accessibility and the guidelines, let's delve into the steps to make infographics accessible.

Choose the Right Tools

Selecting the right tools and software is crucial for creating accessible infographics. Look for software that supports accessibility remediation services and permits you to add alternative text to images and descriptions to other elements.

Use Clear and Simple Language

Use clear and easy tongue to make your infographic understandable to a wide audience. Avoid jargon, complex terminology, and ambiguous wording. Remember that accessibility is not only about physical disabilities but also cognitive and language-related barriers.

Provide Alternative Text

Alternative text, often called alt text, is a brief description of an image or graphic read aloud by screen readers to individuals who cannot see the visual content. When adding alt text:

• Be concise but descriptive.
• Include essential details.
• Avoid using phrases like "image of" or "photo of."
• Use alt text for all pictures and graphics in your infographic.

Use High-Contrast Colors

High-contrast color combinations are essential for individuals with low vision or color blindness. Ensure that text and graphics contrast sufficiently against their background to make them easily distinguishable.

Provide Text Versions

In addition to the visual infographic, offer a text-based version of the content. It can be a captioned summary or a linked document that provides the same information in a textual format.

Implement Keyboard Navigation

Ensure that all interactive elements in your infographic can be navigated using a keyboard. Test your infographic by tabbing through it to ensure all elements are accessible without a mouse.

Create Accessible Charts and Graphs

Charts and graphs are common in infographics. When creating these visuals, consider the following:

• Use clear labels and legends.
• Provide data tables or accessible data summaries.
• Use patterns or textures in addition to colors to differentiate data points.

Add Transcripts for Audio Content

Provide a transcript of the audio content if your infographic includes audio elements, such as a voiceover. It ensures that individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can access the information.

Test for Accessibility

Regularly test your infographic for accessibility using various tools and assistive technologies. It will help you identify and address any accessibility issues.

Stay Informed and Updated

Accessibility guidelines and technologies evolve. Stay informed about the latest developments and update your infographics to ensure ongoing accessibility.

Accessible Infographic Example

To illustrate the principles and techniques discussed above, let's look at some accessible infographic examples:

COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

In this infographic, the following accessibility features are implemented:

• Clear and concise language is used to explain the vaccine distribution process.
• Alternative text is provided for the images of vaccine vials and syringes.
• High-contrast colors are used to ensure readability.
• Keyboard navigation is tested and functional for interactive elements.
• A text version of the infographic is available for screen reader users.

Climate Change Impact

This infographic about the impact of climate change incorporates accessibility elements:

• Simple language and clear headings are used to present the information.
• Alternative text is included for images depicting climate-related events.
• Charts and graphs have clear labels, legends, and data summaries.
• Transcripts are provided for audio content, such as interviews with experts.

Testing and Evaluation

Creating an accessible infographic is not a one-time task. It requires ongoing testing and evaluation to ensure that accessibility features work correctly. Here are some key steps in the testing and evaluation process:

Screen Reader Testing

Test your infographic using popular screen readers such as JAWS, NVDA, or VoiceOver to ensure the content is accurately conveyed to users who rely on these tools.

Keyboard Navigation Testing

Verify that all interactive elements can be navigated using a keyboard. Use the "tab" key to navigate your infographic and check for logical order and functionality.

Color Contrast Testing

Use accessibility testing tools or online contrast checkers to confirm that your color choices meet the contrast requirements, making text and graphics readable.

Usability Testing

Perform usability testing with people who have disabilities. Collect feedback and make modifications based on their input to enhance the overall user experience.

Compliance Check

Use automated tools and manual checks to verify that your infographic complies with the WCAG guidelines and any relevant accessibility regulations in your region.

Bonus Read: Basics of Color Contrast in Web Accessibility

Best Practices for Accessibility

To summarize, here are some best practices for creating accessible infographics:

1. Understand your audience: Know your target audience and their specific accessibility needs. Tailor your infographic to accommodate a wide range of users.
2. Plan for accessibility from the start: Incorporate accessibility considerations into your infographic's initial design and development rather than trying to retrofit accessibility features later.
3. Train your team: Ensure that all team members involved in creating infographics understand the importance of accessibility and are trained in best practices.
4. Stay updated: Keep up with the latest accessibility guidelines and technologies to maintain the accessibility of your infographics over time.
5. Promote accessibility: Advocate for accessibility within your organization and encourage adopting inclusive design practices.

Conclusion

Infographics are pivotal in conveying information quickly and effectively. However, to fulfill potential, infographics must be available to all people, regardless of their capabilities or disabilities. By adhering to accessibility guidelines, implementing best practices, and promoting a culture of inclusivity, you can create infographics that are truly informative and engaging for everyone. Accessibility is not just a legal obligation; it's a commitment to equality and the universal right to access information. Make your infographics accessible, and you'll make the world a more inclusive place for all.