How to Prompt AI to Generate Accessible Charts

The Default AI Chart Problem

Here's what typical default AI output looks like. You ask for a chart, the AI generates one that works. But accessibility? Not in the prompt, so not in the output.

Default: Stacked Bar

Default: Pie Chart

Default: Line Chart

These charts work. They render. They show data. But they fail accessibility on multiple fronts:

• No axis labels. Users don't know what units are being measured.
• Legend-only identification. Color-blind users can't distinguish series.
• Generic titles. "Monthly Users" tells you nothing about the data context.
• No direct labels. You have to hover or click to understand the values.
• No alt text. Screen reader users get no insight.

Your AI didn't fail. Your prompt did. Fix the prompt, fix the chart.

Prompt Pattern 1: Specify Accessibility Requirements Upfront

Most developers prompt with function, not form. They ask "Create a chart of X" and expect defaults to cover accessibility. They don't. Start with accessibility in the prompt itself.

Bad Prompt

Good Prompt

The Comparison

Before: Default Output

No axis labels. No data labels. Title is generic. Users have to guess.

After: Prompted for Accessibility

Axis labels, data labels, descriptive title. Context is clear immediately.

Prompt Pattern 2: Demand Direct Labels, Kill the Legend

Legends are accessibility death. Color-blind users can't use them. Screen reader users miss them entirely. Direct labels on chart elements fix this.

Bad Prompt

Good Prompt

The Comparison

Before: Legend Only

7 slices. Users have to correlate colors to legend. Impossible for color-blind users.

After: Direct Labels

5 slices with direct labels. No legend needed. Works for everyone.

Prompt Pattern 3: Add Context and Insight, Not Just Data

A chart showing raw data is a chart that means nothing without context. Add titles, subtitles, annotations, and insight into your prompts. This helps all users, especially those using assistive technology.

Bad Prompt

Good Prompt

The Comparison

Before: Data Only

Users see a line. They don't know what it means or why it matters.

After: Context and Insight

SLA target line gives context. Labels tell users what they're looking at. Insight is immediate.

Prompt Pattern 4: Request the Alt Text

Alt text is your lifeline for screen reader users. But AI doesn't generate it by default. Ask for it explicitly. Be specific about what you want the alt text to convey.

Bad Prompt

Good Prompt

Example Output

<img src="q4-sales.png" alt="Bar chart showing Q4 sales revenue
by region. The chart displays four regions: North America leads
with 2.1 million dollars (39.6% of total), Europe has 1.8 million
(33.9%), Asia-Pacific accounts for 1.0 million (18.9%), and Latin
America shows 0.4 million (7.5%). Total Q4 revenue across all
regions is 5.3 million dollars. North America shows a 15% increase
from Q3, indicating strong seasonal performance in the holiday
quarter. Europe remained stable while Asia-Pacific saw a modest 8%
decline. This chart is important for understanding regional revenue
distribution and identifying growth opportunities in
underperforming regions.">

Prompt Pattern 5: Ask for the Data Table

Some users prefer tables to charts. Some need both. Tell your AI to generate an accompanying HTML data table. This isn't extra work; it's one prompt away.

Bad Prompt

Good Prompt

Example Output

<table>
  <caption>Monthly Revenue (2026)</caption>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th scope="col">Month</th>
      <th scope="col">Revenue</th>
      <th scope="col">Growth %</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>January</td>
      <td>$145,000</td>
      <td>+8%</td>
    </tr>
    ...
  </tbody>
</table>

Prompt Pattern 6: Demand Reduced-Motion Support

If your chart uses animation, some users will get dizzy or disoriented. They've set prefers-reduced-motion in their OS. Tell your AI to respect that setting.

Bad Prompt

Good Prompt

Example Output

<style>
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: no-preference) {
  .chart-container {
    animation: slideIn 0.6s ease-out;
  }
}

@keyframes slideIn {
  from {
    opacity: 0;
    transform: translateY(20px);
  }
  to {
    opacity: 1;
    transform: translateY(0);
  }
}
</style>

<script>
const prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia(
  '(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)'
).matches;

if (prefersReducedMotion) {
  // Skip animation, render chart immediately
} else {
  // Animate chart in
}
</script>

Quick Reference: 6 Prompt Patterns

The Bottom Line

The accessibility gap in vibe-coded charts isn't an AI problem. It's a prompting problem. Your AI doesn't generate inaccessible charts because it's incapable. It generates them because your prompt didn't ask for accessibility.

Start putting these 6 patterns in your prompts. Be specific about what you want. Ask for labels, alt text, tables, contrast, context. Your AI will deliver. Your charts will pass audits. Your users with disabilities will actually be able to use them.

That's the whole game.