[BlindMath] Is it possible for screen reader users to do data science?

[Brandon Keith Biggs]

Hello Jonathan,
Thank you for this very fascinating message!
What data sonification tools do you know of?
I am currently working on a project to sonify data and have not had much
success finding anything that is very good.

After starting on this project, I had no idea so much time would be spent
cleaning data. It is crazy how strange data sets can be. I just made an
audio diagram of a sanky diagram, and I was given 3 excel files with the
two lines not equal in the data set, even though they should have been, and
variables spread all throughout the 3 documents with lots of duplication.
Also the 3 documents corresponded to the other sets, but you could only
tell through one variable.
Anyways, I had no idea this was normal and was a little upset at the amount
of work I had to do to clean up the data. It's good to know it is normal...
Thank you,


Brandon Keith Biggs <http://brandonkeithbiggs.com/>

On Sun, Jun 25, 2017 at 2:58 PM, Godfrey, Jonathan via BlindMath <
blindmath at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> Hello Dickson et al.,
>
> I agree with Vincent. I would note that the vast majority of data science
> is not actually a visual exercise. Experts put the proportion of work being
> done to collect and clean data at anywhere from half to 90%. Yes, some of
> the cleaning is done by investigating unusual observations in graphs, but
> there are so many non-visual ways of gaining such information.
>
> I would observe that statisticians were doing work well before graphs were
> being created and that there are plenty of somewhat forgotten ideas that
> might prove useful for a blind person to substitute for creating a graph.
> For example, I have two variables and want to know if they are linearly
> related. A sighted person jumps straight for a scatter plot and eyeballs
> the results to help them decide if the relationship can be explained by a
> straight line. While they are dithering, I've fitted the straight line
> model and I'm checking the residuals because that's what is going to happen
> anyway if the sighted person decides the relationship is linear. If the
> relationship wasn't linear, I've found that out by investigating the
> residuals; OK, I'm doing that with another scatter plot, but at least my
> scatter plot is going to exaggerate any nonlinearity that existed in the
> original relationship. I've also see the R squared of the model to decide
> if there is any relationship to want to question he linearity of as well.
> Then, if there is something to get excited about, I make the graph for the
> poor sighted audiences I must work with.
>
> The problem I have is that the use of the all too readily available
> software that creates awesome data visualisations gets used in introductory
> teaching to the detriment of the old-fashioned stuff that generally gets
> pushed into the higher level courses. I was once asked if there was room to
> create an accessible intro stats course for blind people. I didn't think so
> at the time, but I've toyed with the issue on and off for the last few
> years. The trend I've observed is to emphasise what you can see from the
> current display of data, as against what a graph can show in a theoretical
> sense. The same ideas get taught, but sort of in the wrong order for a
> blind person.
>
> Compare the two quotes:
> "Let's look at this data, and hey, what's that funny point over there?
> Well it's called an outlier and this (insert name of graph here) can
> identify the existence of outliers for you."
> Versus:
> "A (insert name of graph here) can highlight the existence of outliers.
> Let's look at some examples, one with an outlier and  one without."
>
> The first is disabling to anyone not able to see the graph in question,
> while the second is less disabling. Unfortunately, the second (older) style
> is considerably less stimulating for a sighted audience. The former goes
> well with someone actually creating the graphs in a live demonstration
> while the second suits the pre-prepared (I call it the cooking show
> approach) style of lecturing. Actually most live demonstration style
> lectures require some preparation too, but it's obvious that the actions
> are being completed on the spot. Most smart lecturers now do the former and
> have the latter (pre-prepared back up plan) waiting just in case.
>
> Your choice of nonvisual technique will depend on the scenario in
> question, and on your personal ability to comprehend what that nonvisual
> technique has to offer.
>
> I realise that some people swear by sonification as a substitute for
> visual inspection of data.  I've also heard data sonification described as
> an alternative to visual inspection of data with its use having an additive
> impact to visual inspection. For others, sonification just makes a lot of
> noise. Rather unfortunately, I find myself in this last category. I do like
> that it can be done and I'll help anyone trying to create a useful tool for
> sonifying data (in R only though) but that's because I'm interested in
> getting a wide range of options for blind end users as against just working
> towards tools that I personally will find useful.
>
> I hope that you (Dickson) are considering coming to Orlando for the NFB
> Convention where we will almost certainly have discussions on the problems
> you face.
>
> Cheers,
> Jonathan
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BlindMath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Martin, Vincent F via BlindMath
> Sent: Monday, 26 June 2017 5:15 a.m.
> To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
> Cc: Martin, Vincent F
> Subject: Re: [BlindMath] Is it possible for screen reader users to do data
> science?
>
> It can be done using a number of methodologies.  I have done it with and
> without sighted assistance.  Using a combination of tactile graphs and
> sighted assistance is how I did forecasting work.  I also am using
> sonification of data to interpret graphical output as well.  Work is being
> done for sonifying graphs using "R", SAS has intergrated what we called the
> "sonification sandbox" in Dr. Bruce Walker's sonification lab at Georgia
> Tech and it is readily available right now.  It was unveiled at CSUN this
> Spring and I use it with SAS right now.  I am also using sonified graphs
> with the graphical output of SPSS in my current research as well.  I am up
> to dissertation proposal on what type of experiment I want to do, but I am
> sure it is similar to what most data analysts also use to make inferences
> with their visual graphs as well.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BlindMath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Dickson Tan via BlindMath
> Sent: Sunday, June 25, 2017 12:40 PM
> To: blindmath at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Dickson Tan <dickson.tan.2013 at gmail.com>
> Subject: [BlindMath] Is it possible for screen reader users to do data
> science?
>
> Hi,
>
>
>
> Given that visualization is used often in data science to see patterns, is
> it possible for a screen reader user to do data science? I've heard of some
> tools for doing basic bar/line graphing, but as far as I know, they are
> immature, and can't handle other types of graphs.
>
>
>
> If not, how far would I get without being able to access visualizations?
>
>
>
> Best regards,
>
> Dickson
>
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