The Invisible Red Flag
An executive is reviewing Power BI reports – analysts say revenue is dropping in one product line. But the executive misses the warning. Why? Because the red alert color isn’t visible due to color blindness. This isn’t a design flaw – it’s a business risk.
The purpose of data visualization is to communicate information clearly, not just to those with perfect vision and standard perceptual abilities.
What to Consider When Creating an Accessible Power BI Dashboard
Microsoft Power BI includes several accessibility features, but using them effectively requires intentional design. Here are the most important aspects:
1. Color Contrast and Color-Blind Friendly Palettes
- Maintain a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 between text and background.
- Don’t rely on color alone to convey meaning (e.g. “red means loss”), but use symbols, labels, or shapes too.
- Power BI Desktop offers pre-set themes that are friendly for users with color vision deficiencies.
2. Screen Reader Compatibility
- All visuals should include clear titles and alt text so screen readers can interpret them.
- Use tooltips to provide extra information on hover or focus.
- Avoid cluttered layouts, as screen readers read linearly and too much content can be overwhelming.
3. Logical, Keyboard-Navigable Layouts
- Power BI supports keyboard navigation (tabbing), so layouts should follow a logical flow.
- Place key visuals at the top of the report and use clearly separated visual sections.
Real-World Case – More Clarity, Fewer Errors
A global company’s finance team created a dashboard with all KPIs, but leadership couldn’t interpret it – the design relied entirely on color. A new version was developed with shapes, high-contrast colors, and custom tooltips. Usability improved dramatically and decisions became faster.
How Gloster Cloud Helps
Power BI is more than a technical tool – it’s a matter of information equity. Gloster Cloud helps you make your data truly accessible:
- Dashboard audits and accessibility reviews
- Color-blind-friendly design and contrast optimization
- Screen reader-compatible layouts
- Training and awareness for BI developers and data owners
The best data is the kind everyone understands. Find out how your reports can become truly inclusive with help from Gloster Cloud.
