From Access to Discovery: Tactile Data Art for Blind and Visually Impaired Audiences

Accessible data visualisation often focuses on providing non- visual access to information, prioritising information retrieval over broader experiences of exploration and discovery. We investigate how tactile data art can extend accessibility beyond information access to support curiosity, engagement, and shared experiences. We present a multimodal tactile data artwork communicating women’s grassroots football participation in Wales through Braille, raised structures, physical objects, text, and colour. We evaluated the artefact with seven blind and visually impaired participants using an accessible qualitative questionnaire. Participants described tactile interaction as supporting understanding, exploration, memorability, and enjoyment, and perceived the artefact as both an artwork and an educational tool. Our findings suggest that accessible data visualisation can move from access towards discovery, with multimodal data art creating opportunities for people with different sensory abilities to explore and experience data within a shared artefact.