When designing visuals and reports, it’s extremely important to consider those who are not able to see the difference between certain colours. For those who are colour-blind, the ability to differentiate certain hues depends on the colour contrast ratio.
Approximately 350 million people around the world experience some form of colour-blindness ( inability to see the difference between certain colours).

Ideally, we should always try to use accessible colours when designing reports but often this is not possible due to existing branding guidelines and colour conventions like RAG (red, amber, green) used to report on performance and progress. The absence of easily accessible options for toggling between various themes and colour schemes in Power BI often results in reports that lack accessibility.

In this session, we will explore the built-in accessibility features of Power BI and discuss WCAG guidelines for colour usage. I will also demonstrate how to choose accessible colours and share a practical solution I have previously implemented, which enables users to switch between standard and accessible views. This approach not only enhances flexibility but also ensures inclusivity for all users. Additionally, this initiative has significantly raised awareness about digital accessibility among both users and stakeholders.

Optimising reports for people affected by vision impairment ensure equitable opportunities for all users. Taking diversity, inclusion and equity into account when designing visualisations and reports is a good way to express care and concern for all colleagues and stakeholders. It increases trust, collaboration and even innovation.