# MAIDR: Making Statistical Visualizations Accessible with Multimodal Data Representation

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2403.00717 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2403.00717/

## Key facts

- Cited by 5 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 1 Mar 2024.

## Built on by (most cited first, 5 of 5)

- [Three Modalities, Two Design Probes, One Prototype, and No Vision: Experience-Based Co-Design of a Multi-modal 3D Data Visualization Tool](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2604.09426/) (2026)
- [Lost in Instructions: Study of Blind Users' Experiences with DIY Manuals and AI-Rewritten Instructions for Assembly, Operation, and Troubleshooting of Tangible Products](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2602.18630/) (2026)
- [Skeleton: Visual Authoring of Non-visual Data Experiences](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2607.14579/) (2026)
- [Chart-Supported or Model-Supplied? Examining MLLM-Generated Claims for Accessible Visualization](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2607.25021/) (2026)
- [Do you "see" what I "see"? A Multi-panel Visual Question Answer Dataset for Large Language Model Chart Analysis](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2610.14173/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

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.