What research exists on making data visualisation accessible to adults with language disabilities?

Citation

Devane, N., Botting, N., Cruice, M., Roper, A., Szafir, D., Wood, J., & Wilson, S. (2024). Data visualization and decision making in adults with acquired and developmental language disabilities: A scoping review. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 59(6), 2617-2631.  

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Key terms that are in this paper 

Data visualisation: ways of presenting information through images, including pictures, symbols and graphs. 

Aim of the paper 

This study reviewed research about data visualisation for adults with language disabilities. Specifically, it looked at how to make data visualisation accessible for these adults. 

Data visualisation can help people with language disabilities to understand information. 

This is important, because data visualisation is often used to make decisions for all adults. For example, seeing a ‘rain’ icon on a weather app can lead to the decision to wear a raincoat.  

The paper looked at six available studies. These studies focused on people who have language difficulties as part of their learning disability. 

This paper aimed to find out what makes data visualisation accessible and effective for adults with language disabilities. 

What was found 

So far, there is not a lot of research on making data visualisation accessible for people with language disabilities. 

They found some research which included guidance on effective data visualisation. Data visualisation works better when it uses familiar images and connects to people’s lives. 

However, these studies focused on learning disabilities. It was not specific to language disabilities.  

They did not find any research that looked at improving data visualisation specifically for people with DLD. 

What does this mean? 

There is not enough research yet on data visualisation specifically for people with language disabilities. 

More research is needed. This will help us create better guidelines for accessible data visualisation. 

With more research, we can make data visualisation more accessible. People with language disabilities will then have better information for making decisions. 

People with language disabilities will then have better information for making decisions. 

Where can I read this paper? 

You can read this whole paper for free by following this link:

https://doi.org/10.1111/1460-6984.13105 

YouTube summary: https://youtu.be/dViI0H52Skg