Presenting data accessibly

Data accessibility is a key aspect of data intelligence.

What do we mean by accessible data presentation? 

The process and practice of presenting information in an easy-to-use format that meets the needs of end users, including those with disabilities to enable decision making. Sometimes referred to as data visualisation.

Knowledge 

  • Contextual awareness.
  • Understanding of technical accessibility standards.
  • Understanding of how to capture user needs.
  • Knowledge of best practice User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) design.
  • Understanding of different project delivery approaches including Waterfall and Agile.  

Skills 

Able to:  

  • Understand user needs: Identifying and working with stakeholders to understand their needs, drivers, and priorities.
  • Elicit, document, and analyse requirements: Gather information from stakeholders including end users and subject matter experts via workshops, surveys, one to one interviews and observation to understand their needs and expectations of data, documenting these unambiguously and prioritising them in line with strategic outcomes. 
  • Manage conflicting needs:  Where requirements overlap or conflict with one another, work with stakeholders to de-conflict requirements, focused on delivering the overall outcome. 
  • Design appropriate features to meet user needs: Including selecting the optimal charts, graphs and graphical representations that communicate data insights effectively to optimise the user experience. 
  • Use dashboard / visualisation tools: Such as Tableau and PowerBI to design and build data dashboards.  
  • Test and iterate: Design with real users in a planned way, to ensure that designs are fit for purpose, usable and will be used. 
  • Communicate and collaborate effectively: With stakeholders at all levels, including technical and non-technical teams. 
  • Manage risk: Understand the risks associated with data presentation, including accessibility risks and mitigate these through effective design and delivery practice. 

Behaviours 

Behaviours associated with requirement definition require team members to be: 

  • User focused 
  • Inclusive 
  • Collaborative 
  • Analytical 
  • Solution focused 
  • Empathetic 
  • Resilient 
  • Adaptable and pragmatic 
  • Committed to continual learning

Local Government Data Maturity Assessment Tool

This tool enables you to build a shared understanding of how well your local authority uses data.

Local Government Data Maturity Assessment Tool 

Highlighted pages

Transformation capabilities: Data intelligence

Data needs to be used effectively to inform and prioritise transformation activity, to track progress and to provide service, customer and organisational insights that drive and enable evidence-based change.

Transformation Capability Framework