Q&A: Accessibility in Astronomy for the Visually Impaired

TL;DR

This paper discusses accessibility challenges faced by blind and visually impaired individuals in astronomy research, education, and outreach, highlighting solutions and innovations that benefit all astronomers.

Contribution

It provides insights from expert interviews on improving accessibility in astronomy and introduces innovative data analysis methods for BVI persons.

Findings

Identification of key accessibility challenges in astronomy.

Proposed solutions to enhance accessibility and data analysis.

Potential benefits of accessibility innovations for all astronomers.

Abstract

We spoke with four researchers to understand the accessibility challenges in astronomy research, education and outreach for blind and visually impaired (BVI) persons, as well as solutions to these challenges and how it innovates data analysis methods for all astronomers. Those interviewed: Nicolas Bonne (University of Portsmouth); Cheryl Fogle-Hatch (Museum Senses); Garry Foran (Swinburne University of Technology) and Enrique Perez Montero (Instituto de Astrof\'isica de Andaluc\'ia).