Hearing the Market: Chart2Music Makes Charts Accessible for the Visually Impaired

Financial data should be accessible to everyone, but traditional charts rely on visual interpretation, creating challenges for blind and visually impaired users. We’re proud to now offer Chart2Music, a recent integration to S&P Global’s ChartIQ that brings financial data to life through sound. By converting chart patterns into auditory cues, it enables users to hear rising and falling trends, making market analysis more inclusive. 

How It Works:

• Auditory Mapping:  Chart2Music converts visual chart data into sound, using tones to represent price trends. This auditory mapping allows visually impaired users to interpret complex financial data through sound. 

• Seamless Compatibility:  Integrated with screen readers and table view, Chart2Music offers a comprehensive auditory and structured data experience, enhancing users' ability to analyze financial information. 

• Cross-Platform Accessibility:  Chart2Music works with various chart formats, providing a consistent auditory experience across different platforms, ensuring accessibility regardless of how charts are created. 

Julianna Langston and Sean Mealin, the creators of Chart2Music, envisioned a tool that would move beyond a proof of concept and become a meaningful accessibility solution. Reflecting on its integration into ChartIQ, they shared, "The goal of Chart2Music has always been to go beyond a proof of concept. On its own, it’s a demonstration of what’s possible. But by integrating it into ChartIQ, we’re bringing our vision to life—removing accessibility barriers and ensuring that all ChartIQ users can now experience charts in a way that works for them, regardless of ability. We’re thrilled that accessibility is becoming a standard feature, not an afterthought." 

Chart2Music is inclusively designed, with direct input from blind individuals during the development and testing phases. This ensures that the tool genuinely meets the needs of its users. It provides an automated solution to accessibility challenges traditionally addressed through alt text or data tables, improving the user experience significantly. Furthermore, Chart2Music is visual agnostic, meaning it works alongside any visual, be it created with ChartJS, D3.js, or as an image.  

Chart2Music is part of ChartIQ’s broader commitment to global accessibility. By developing our software with WCAG standards in mind, we enable our clients to offer out-of-the-box accessibility features that enhance inclusivity.  

In addition to Chart2Music, ChartIQ offers: 

• Keyboard Navigation:  Users can navigate the ChartIQ interface using only the keyboard, which is especially beneficial for individuals with motor impairments. 

• Customizable Keyboard Shortcuts:  These shortcuts enhance navigation efficiency, allowing users to perform frequent actions with ease. 

• Color Blindness Themes:  ChartIQ offers themes that adjust color palettes, ensuring clarity and distinction for users with color blindness. 

• Table View Feature:  Provides a text-based representation of chart data, making it ideal for users who rely on screen readers. 

At ChartIQ, accessibility is not just a feature, it's fundamental to how we build our products. With innovations like Chart2Music, we strive to make financial data accessible to all users, regardless of their abilities. We invite you to explore Chart2Music and join us in our journey towards a more inclusive future.