KOGS5751 COG2: Accessible Visualizations: Conveying Information Across Sensory Modalities Hands-on Lab (JSS35) (3 cr)

Data visualization is a key component of how we communicate research findings, real time economic data, or climate measurements, to name a few. In the context of the EU Accessibility Act, and similar legislation in other countries, ensuring the accessibility of data visualization is becoming a requirement. A key aspect of digital accessibility is ensuring that information can be perceived and understood irrespective of the cognitive and sensory capabilities of the individual, for example, persons with visual, auditory or cognitive disabilities. The principles of accessible design also have relevance for data presentation where environmental or situational factors limit usefulness of what might seem preferred modalities, for example, industrial workers engaged in high workload tasks receiving critical life safety data. By understanding the foundational concepts of our sensory/perceptual systems, and the requirements of accessible design, we will explore how data can be adapted and transformed to suit a variety of individual needs. Modalities examined will include speech and non-speech audio, tactile displays, haptics, and visual adaptation. Students will also learn to effectively utilize multimodal generative AI to support the creation of data visualizations.

Through a combination of lecture and laboratory projects, students will uncover the foundational principles of designing alternative representations for traditionally visual or auditory information. These principles will be aligned with requirements defined by EU and international Accessibility Standards. Students will also understand how attention to accessible design of information can be of broader benefit to users in a variety of contexts.  

This course is open to graduate students interested in learning how to make their data accessible to the widest possible audience, including for those with disabilities. Prior coursework in accessibility or cognitive science is welcome but not required.