22-25 April 2026 
Small Changes, Big Impact: Accessibility Essentials for Power BI
Proposed session for SQLBits 2026TL; DR
Learn how to apply WCAG principles in Power BI using native features. From colour contrast to tab order and keyboard navigation, discover practical steps to create more accessible, user-friendly dashboards.
Session Details
A work-related injury left me with nerve damage in both hands, and for a couple of years I struggled with a standard mouse which I could barely control it. Everything changed when I finally received a specialist mouse. That small, thoughtful design adjustment transformed my work and reinforced a powerful truth: when design is accessible, it empowers; when it isn’t, it quietly excludes.
Many people experience this every day in digital spaces that weren’t built with them in mind. In the world of data, this often shows up in Power BI reports and dashboards that are visually overwhelming, hard to navigate, or inaccessible to assistive technologies.
In this session, I will break down the core principles of digital accessibility and how they translate into practical steps for Power BI creators. We’ll explore how WCAG guidelines can be applied to make reports perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.
From colour contrast and tab order to keyboard navigation and meaningful structure, we’ll look at achievable ways to make your dashboards truly inclusive.
By the end, attendees will not only understand what makes a Power BI report accessible, but why it genuinely matters.
Many people experience this every day in digital spaces that weren’t built with them in mind. In the world of data, this often shows up in Power BI reports and dashboards that are visually overwhelming, hard to navigate, or inaccessible to assistive technologies.
In this session, I will break down the core principles of digital accessibility and how they translate into practical steps for Power BI creators. We’ll explore how WCAG guidelines can be applied to make reports perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.
From colour contrast and tab order to keyboard navigation and meaningful structure, we’ll look at achievable ways to make your dashboards truly inclusive.
By the end, attendees will not only understand what makes a Power BI report accessible, but why it genuinely matters.
3 things you'll get out of this session
1. Understand the core principles of digital accessibility and why they matter in Power BI development.
2. Apply key WCAG guidelines (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust) directly to report design.
3. Improve accessibility using native Power BI features, including colour contrast, tab order, keyboard navigation, and meaningful structure.
4. Identify common accessibility pitfalls and learn quick, achievable fixes that make dashboards easier for everyone to use.