SAS Graphics Accelerator makes charts and graphs consumable for blind users

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Some would say that it's impossible for blind users to see charts and graphs. Those same people might have once said it was impossible for the visually impaired to see the particles that comprise an atom, or galaxies that are billions of light years away. Innovation would prove them wrong on all counts.

I’m thrilled to announce the general availability of SAS Graphics Accelerator – a free browser extension that enables users with visual impairments to access SAS data visualizations on their terms. SAS Graphics Accelerator generates alternative presentations of data visualizations including text descriptions, tabular data, and interactive sonification. Sonification enables users to perceive data visualizations using sound.

Check out the Getting Started video below. It demonstrates how to find sample data visualizations and explains the basic features of SAS Graphics Accelerator. Questions or comments? Send them to accessibility@sas.com or read the full article, SAS enables visually impaired to ‘visualize’ data.

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About Author

Ed Summers

Sr Manager, Software Development

Ed Summers is Senior Manager of Accessibility and Applied Assistive Technology at SAS.

1 Comment

  1. Hi Ed, This is Alice Zincone from Gov. Morehead School, although, I am not with them anymore. I hope this finds you well. I can't believe I haven't thought of this before, but I was wondering if your division or SAS in general would like to sponsor Arts Access Inc. Since my departure from GMS, I have joined the board of Arts Access. If you aren't familiar, Arts Access has provided audio description for movies and live theatre in the triangle for over 20 years. More recently, we are growing into an organization that provides training for arts educators on inclusion and accessibility and providing art opportunities for people with disabilities. We also offer performance and exhibit opportunities for artists with disabilities, youth and adults. You can read more about our non-profit at artsaccessinc.org. More specifically, we have some events coming in May we call the Series of Fortunate Events or SOFE. There are 6 separate events, some for youth, some for adults, some for both. You can learn more about SOFE at fortunateevents.org and there is a sponsor link. If you'd like to chat by phone, feel free to call or send your number and a convenient time and I'll ring you.

    Kind regards, Alice

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