I am incredibly excited to share that my session, “Implementing Alternative Accessible Colours in Power BI Reports”, has been accepted for the Microsoft Fabric Café #FabricCoffee Talk Series! This opportunity allows me to further my mission of raising awareness about the importance of digital accessibility and ensuring that no one is left behind when it comes to accessing information.
Accessibility is not just something I talk about. My work is centred on making digital products and services usable for everyone, especially individuals with disabilities. It’s my passion to advocate for inclusivity in design, and this session is another step forward in that mission.
At the core of accessibility are the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2, which guide us in ensuring that design choices, such as the use of colour, are inclusive. Colour is more than just aesthetics; for many, it determines whether or not they can actually interpret a report.
This is especially important for the 350 million people globally who experience some form of colour-blindness. Without thoughtful design, reports relying on colour distinctions alone can exclude a significant portion of the population. The reality is, many Power BI designers face challenges when working within existing branding guidelines or familiar colour schemes like RAG (Red, Amber, Green). These practices often don’t meet the contrast ratios required by WCAG to ensure readability and accessibility. But through creative solutions, we can do better.
In my session, I’ll be sharing how we can leverage the built-in accessibility features of Power BI to make reports more inclusive. I’ll also introduce a practical solution that allows users to toggle between standard and accessible views, offering greater flexibility and ensuring no one is left out.
My hope is that this approach will inspire others to think more deeply about how their design decisions impact accessibility. For me, this isn’t just about compliance, it’s about fostering an
environment of inclusion, diversity, and equity in every digital space. When we optimise reports for accessibility, we show care for our colleagues and stakeholders, build trust, and create room for innovation. Everyone deserves a seat at the table, and accessible design ensures that happens.
Watch this space – I’ll soon be announcing the date and time for the session, and I hope to see you there!
