Uncertainty Visualization and Color Vision Deficiency - Scientific Visualization: Uncertainty, Multifield, Biomedical, and Scalable Visualization - page 27

Chapter 2
Uncertainty Visualization and Color
Vision Deficiency

Manuel M. Oliveira

Abstract Color vision deficiency (CVD) affects a large number of individuals
around the world, compromising their ability to effectively interpret color-coded
information. This directly impacts the way these individuals perceive visualizations,
often introducing ambiguities and uncertainties. This article provides an overview
of the causes of color vision deficiency and discusses the main tools and techniques
available for helping designers to create more effective visualizations for individuals
with CVD. It also discusses the limitations of the existing techniques and presents
some open questions for guiding research efforts in improving visualization experi-
ences for larger audiences.

2.1 Introduction

Current estimates indicate that approximately 200 million individuals worldwide
have some form of color vision deficiency (CVD) [ 10 , 11 ]. Such condition
compromises their ability to effectively perform color-related tasks, which impacts
their private lives and professional activities [ 8 ]. Since visualizations tend to make
intensive use of colors to convey information, many visualizations are not perceived
by individuals with CVD as they are intended to be (e.g., Figs. 2.1 right, and 2.2 b).
This leads to uncertainties, forcing those individuals to make important decisions
based on ambiguous information, which may have catastrophic implications. Thus,
the perceptual limitations imposed by color vision deficiency is a relevant subject
to the visualization community, but one that has not yet received all the attention
it deserves. To produce more effective visualizations, we need to devise techniques
that avoid excluding this significant fraction of the population. This article briefly
discusses the the causes of color vision deficiency and the main techniques available
to help the affected individuals to recover, as much as possible, the loss of color
contrast. After pointing out the inherent limitations of these techniques, the article
presents some open questions that should guide research efforts in this area.

( B )
Instituto de Informática—UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
e-mail: [e-mail]

M.M. Oliveira