This paper investigates new data exploration experiences that enable blind users to interact with statistical data visualizations$-$bar plots, heat maps, box plots, and scatter plots$-$leveraging multimodal data representations. In addition to sonification and textual descriptions that are commonly employed by existing accessible visualizations, our MAIDR (multimodal access and interactive data representation) system incorporates two additional modalities (braille and review) that offer complementary benefits. It also provides blind users with the autonomy and control to interactively access and understand data visualizations. In a user study involving 11 blind participants, we found the MAIDR system facilitated the accurate interpretation of statistical visualizations. Participants exhibited a range of strategies in combining multiple modalities, influenced by their past interactions and experiences with data visualizations. This work accentuates the overlooked potential of combining refreshable tactile representation with other modalities and elevates the discussion on the importance of user autonomy when designing accessible data visualizations.

翻译：本文探究了使盲人用户能够通过多模态数据表示与统计数据可视化（条形图、热力图、箱线图和散点图）进行交互的新型数据探索体验。除了现有无障碍可视化技术中常见的听觉化和文本描述外，我们的MAIDR（多模态访问与交互式数据表示）系统整合了两种额外模态（盲文和回顾），带来互补性优势。该系统赋予盲人用户自主权和操控性，使其能够以交互方式访问和理解数据可视化。在涉及11名盲人参与者的用户研究中，我们发现MAIDR系统促进了统计可视化的准确解读。参与者受其过往与数据可视化交互经历的影响，展现出多种组合多模态的策略。本研究强调了将可刷新触觉表示与其他模态相结合的潜力，并提升了有关在设计无障碍数据可视化时用户自主权重要性的讨论。