When I first started using graphs and charts in math classes, I decided that I hated them. As a student with low vision, I often encountered charts that featured low resolution images, black and white or grayscale color schemes, blurry text, or hard-to-read keys that made it difficult to see the chart itself, let alone interpret or answer questions about it. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized how much being able to customize the appearance of graphs and charts plays a role in how I access information, and that data visualizations are actually awesome when they are presented in a format that I can see. In fact, I loved accessible graphs and charts so much that I graduated with a degree in data science!
For students who haven’t developed the same love for graphs and charts due to accessibility barriers, I have discovered several resources for creating graphs and charts in customizable formats, which is especially helpful for visually impaired students. One website that I’ve really liked using is the free Tuva application, which incorporates several universal design features and a no-code approach to data analysis and exploration. Here is an overview of the free Tuva web application and its low vision accessibility features for creating and interpreting data visualizations, including options for keyboard access and sonification.
Overview of Tuva Tools
Tuva Tools is a suite of free web-based applications for exploratory data analysis, data visualizations, and exploring/interpreting data uploaded from a user-provided dataset or from their data library. Designed for introductory statistics and data science activities, Tuva Tools empowers users to create their own graphs and charts with a drag and drop interface, customize the display of information, and access tools for calculating statistical measures, data models, and sample statistics.
Tuva Tools is accessed as a web application and does not require any downloads. However, users will need to create a free account to upload their own datasets, save files, or access classroom resources. For students with visual impairments, I strongly recommend using an external keyboard to access keyboard shortcuts, as well as an external mouse for computer activities.
Related links
- The Data Literacy Company | Tuva (tuvalabs.com)
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Keyboards
- Computer Mice and Mouse Alternatives For Low Vision
Tuva interface
When opening a new dataset or activity, the default view of Tuva is a multi-column dashboard with a case card and a scattered dot plot with no meaningful information. At the top of the screen is a toolbar that displays the different types of graphs and tools that can be used to display data. There is also a settings icon for adjusting display settings and a three-dot menu icon that contains the accessibility menu, which is covered in more detail in another section.
On the left side of the screen is a case card, which provides a list of attributes for the dataset, including the attribute name, value(s), and either a color gradient (for numerical data) or specific colors (for categorical data).
In the center of the screen is the graphing area, which shows a graph/visualization of the current data. To generate a graph, users can drag and drop attributes from the case card into the x-axis (horizontal) and y-axis (vertical, left side), with some graphs offering the option to color-code by attribute on the right side of the y-axis.
At the bottom of the screen is the table view/summary view, which can be activated in full screen view. The table view shows all of the cases in the dataset and their corresponding attributes, and the summary view is used to generate summary statistics (statistical measures) as well as count and percent values from the toolbar.
Tuva Jr interface
Tuva Jr is another Tuva program that can be accessed through the Tuva Tools web application that offers a simpler interface for interacting with data. The default view for new content in Tuva Jr is a series of case cards, where users can explore individual cards (known as Play View) before opening graphing tools (Plot View).
Tuva Jr’s interface is identical to the main Tuva application, with larger icon sizes and more advanced features such as averages (summary statistics), counts and percents, and lines hidden under the More menu on the toolbar. One unique feature is the custom case icons, such as the use of cat shaped icons instead of dots on a dot plot, which can help viewers form a meaningful connection to the data. Tuva Jr is designed to be used with smaller datasets or as an introduction to data analysis.
Importing and customizing data
Tuva provides users with the option to import their own datasets for Tuva activities as a formatted CSV, XLS, or XLSX file. Once the data is forked (copied) into a Tuva activity, users can further modify their dataset using Microsoft Excel online within the web browser to automatically synchronize changes to the dataset in Tuva. This can be helpful for adjusting formatting issues or editing data further, and does not require a Microsoft account to access.
Related links
- How To Create Accessible Diagrams For Low Vision
- Adapting Accessible Charts: Math Problems and Low Vision
Creating data visualizations with Tuva
Before conducting any data analysis, users will need to select “Fork and Edit” in the bottom right corner to create their own copy of the dataset that they can explore. This will also save Tuva activities to the user’s account.
Using attributes from the case card, users can create their own charts and graphs to explore datasets, visualize patterns, and compare how the same data can be displayed in multiple ways by switching between different types of charts and graphs. On the Tuva toolbar, users can choose from the following options for charts and graphs, or use the keyboard shortcut listed:
- Dot plot (d)
- Line graph (l + g)
- Line graph by Category (l + c)
- Pie chart (p)
- Bar chart of frequencies (b + f)
- Bar chart of values (b + v)
- Bar chart of sums (b + s)
- Bar chart of means (b + m)
- Stretched bar chart (b + t)
- Frequency histogram (h + f)
- Relative percentage histogram (h + r)
- Relative proportion histogram (h + p)
- Box plot (x + p)
- Box plot with outliers (x + o)
- Box and dot plot (x + d)
- Map chart (m)
It’s worth noting that not all datasets or attributes will “work” for each chart/graph type, and that’s by design- students are encouraged to explore different types of visualizations until they find one that works well for their data and the message they are trying to convey. Each plot can be further customized by adding a title in the graphing area, opening plot settings in the toolbar, or using the annotate tool to draw, type, or insert an image as additional information.
Tuva plots can be saved to the user account at any time by selecting Save Plot at the bottom of the screen, which will preserve interactive elements such as hover text for showing labels, case cards, and audio tracing. Another option is to use the Picture tool to save the graphing area as a PNG or SVG file, which can be copied into another application and does not include interactive elements.
Related links
- How To Create Accessible Map Charts For Low Vision
- How To Create Accessible Pie Charts For Low Vision
- Adapting Accessible Charts: Math Problems and Low Vision
Customizing Tuva for low vision
Tuva offers several options for customizing data visualizations for low vision users, including:
- Plot Settings: Color cases by attribute for color coding, adjust font size, adjust case size (icons), add or remove grid lines, add or remove labels
- Accessibility settings: Add keyboard support for attributes, enable or disable animation, adjust data colors for colorblind safe palettes, enable reverse contrast (invert colors)
Since the multi-column layout of Tuva can be visually overwhelming, I recommend using full screen magnification and/or a wide display monitor when accessing the Tuva web application with low vision, as well as using keyboard shortcuts when possible.
Related links
- Adapting Coordinate Planes: Math Problems and Low Vision
- How To Use Invert Colors With Low Vision
- Ten Ways To Reduce Eye Strain From Screens With Technology
Using hotkeys and keyboard shortcuts with Tuva
Tuva has an extensive list of hotkeys and keyboard shortcuts for Windows, Chromebook, and Mac devices, which can be accessed at any time within Tuva by selecting the keyboard shortcuts icon in the bottom right corner. I’ve linked a list of keyboard shortcuts directly from the Tuva website below, though it’s worth noting that the vast majority of Tuva tools have a keyboard shortcut assigned with the exception of some items in the Count and Percent menu, reference lines, movable lines, annotations, and filter categories. These menus can still be accessed with a screen reader, but do not have their own keyboard shortcuts.
The following keyboard shortcuts are also used to navigate the Tuva dashboard, taken from the Tuva website:
- Tab: Moves focus to the next button, interactive item, or text field.
- Shift + Tab: Moves focus to the previous button, interactive item, or text field.
- Up/Down/Left/Right Arrow: Navigates dropdown menus, text fields, and radio button groups.
- Enter or Space: Selects or activates the focused button or interactive element.
- Escape: Closes a focused dropdown menu when pressed while interacting with it.
Related links
- Keyboard Shortcuts Empower Learners with Limited Fine Motor Control – Tuva (tuvalabs.com)
- Tuva keyboard shortcuts (PDF)
Data sonification and audio trace options for Tuva
Within the Tuva accessibility menu (keyboard shortcut alt + z), users can turn on sonification and audio tracing for graphs. Sonification uses sound tones to convey information about data, while audio tracing is used to explore individual sections or points within a graph, playing different tones to convey information. A higher pitched tone is used to convey larger values, while lower-pitched tones convey smaller values.
To use audio tracing, users can select a value from the key/legend on the right side of the screen to hear the corresponding tone for the categorical variable listed.
Related links
- Solar Eclipse Accessibility Resources: Assistive Technology For Blind and Low Vision
- How To Describe Science Experiments For Visually Impaired Students
Ideas for using Tuva with visually impaired students
Looking for ideas on how to use Tuva with visually impaired students? Here are a few ways to get started:
- Create a pie chart using data from a topic of interest. Use large print labels and audio tracing to explore each section and conceptualize which section is largest/smallest.
- Import data from a science lab and use Tuva to identify patterns or areas of interest
- Download copies of Tuva plots as PNG or SVG to use as a basis for accessible graphics. This can include adding alt text/image descriptions or creating nonvisual SVG graphics
- Pair Tuva datasets with manipulatives that can help learners further conceptualize data using tangible items and recreate Tuva plots.
Related links
- Science Labs and Low Vision
- How To Describe Science Experiments For Visually Impaired Students
- Free Braille Art and Tactile Image Libraries: World Braille Day 2024
- How To Write Alt Text and Image Descriptions for the Visually Impaired
- Adapting Coin Activities: Math Problems For Low Vision
- The Best Study Tips For Visually Impaired Students
Related topics on Veronica With Four Eyes
- Science And Math Archives | Veronica With Four Eyes (veroniiiica.com)
- Graphs And Charts Archives | Veronica With Four Eyes (veroniiiica.com)
- Data Science Archives | Veronica With Four Eyes (veroniiiica.com)
Published September 9, 2024. Updated January 2025