NonVisual

Nonvisual refers to information, perception, or interfaces that do not rely primarily on vision. In accessibility and design contexts, nonvisual modalities include auditory, tactile, olfactory, and gustatory channels, with sound and touch being the most commonly used in digital environments. The term encompasses how people interact with information through senses other than sight, as well as how data and media can be represented without visual presentation.

Auditory and tactile channels are central to nonvisual design. Auditory interfaces use spoken feedback, sound cues, and audio descriptions, while tactile interfaces employ refreshable braille displays, embossed graphics, and vibrotactile actuators. These modalities enable access to content such as text, graphics, data, and navigation cues for individuals who are blind or have low vision, as well as for users in environments where vision is not feasible.

Applications of nonvisual design span assistive technology, data visualization, education, and multimedia production. Screen readers and braille displays provide access to digital text; audio descriptions convey visual content in video; sonification translates data into sound to reveal patterns; and tactile graphics offer tangible representations of diagrams or maps. Conversational interfaces and haptic feedback are additional nonvisual interaction methods in consumer devices and wearables.

Techniques and related technologies include sonification, vibrotactile feedback, tactile graphics, braille output, and audio description. Standards and research in this area emphasize multimodal accessibility, with guidance from accessibility specifications and organizations promoting inclusive design, such as WCAG and related standards. Ongoing work aims to improve information density, reliability, and affordability of nonvisual tools, broadening access for diverse users and contexts.