Normative web accessibility
WCAG 2.2
The baseline web standard. Charts commonly engage non-text content, contrast, colour-use, keyboard and name/role/value requirements.
Free standard
Curated reference · Gixo Prism
Data-visualisation standards and guidance
Accessibility, statistical and design guidance for charts, tables, dashboards and explanatory graphics.
How this list is selected
Included sources publish actionable chart construction, accessibility or statistical communication guidance. Vendor guidance is labelled and should be separated from normative WCAG requirements.
Long descriptions for charts and diagrams
WAI Complex Images Tutorial
Practical patterns for short descriptions plus structured long descriptions or data tables.
Free guidance
Official statistical charts and tables
ONS Data Visualisation Manual
Detailed UK statistical guidance spanning chart choice, colour, annotations, maps and build specifications.
Free guidance
Accessible government charts
Government Analysis Function chart checklist
A concise essential/good-practice checklist tied to WCAG and statistical communication conventions.
Free guidance
Service-design chart accessibility
Department for Education chart pattern
Useful guidance on when a chart needs an accessible table and how contrast and testing fit the component.
Free guidance
Chart text alternatives
UK Government text descriptions
Explains why a useful description communicates message and relationships, not just the chart type.
Free guidance
Audience-first visualisation
DSTL Bite-Sized Guide to Visualising Data
A compact public-sector guide that starts with the analytical question rather than a favourite chart form.
Free guidance
US federal web patterns
U.S. Web Design System data visualisations
Pairs visual output with accessible data and content considerations inside a government design-system context.
Free and open
Product chart system
IBM Carbon data visualisation
A coherent component taxonomy, colour strategy and chart anatomy. Treat it as system guidance, not a normative standard.
Free design guidance
Chart selection by relationship
Financial Times Visual Vocabulary
A respected decision aid organised by what the reader needs to see—change, distribution, ranking, correlation and more.
Open repository
Chart-type reference
Data Visualisation Catalogue
A broad chart reference with use cases and construction notes. Validate accessibility and statistical fit separately.
Free reference
Accessible BI reports
Power BI accessibility guidance
Vendor-specific keyboard, alt text, colour, tab order and report-design guidance for Power BI authors.
Free vendor guidance
Accessible Tableau views
Tableau accessibility best practices
Vendor guidance on structure, mark count, colour, titles and authoring choices that affect assistive technology.
Free vendor guidance
Programmatic chart accessibility
Vega ARIA configuration
Documents how Vega exposes visualisations, marks and descriptions to assistive technologies; test the rendered output, not just configuration.
Free and open
Publishing charts accessibly
Datawrapper accessible visualisations
Practical product guidance on colour, descriptions, data access and keyboard navigation; verify the final embed with assistive technology.
Free vendor guidance
Interactive visual stories
Flourish accessibility guidance
Vendor-specific accessibility features and author responsibilities; confirm the final embed with keyboard and screen-reader testing.
Free vendor guidance
Turn the source material into a governed workflow
The directory stays free and outward-linking. Gixo Prism adds saved workspaces, reviews, evidence and clean deliverables.
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