This study addresses the critical issue of accessibility for blind and low-vision (BLV) individuals in the field of multimodal media, including comics, news articles, and maps. It highlights prevailing misconceptions regarding the interests and needs of BLV readers and emphasizes the need for more accurate information. The research, based on a sample of 120 BLV participants, reveals the diversity within this group and their varied reading preferences.

Key findings include the reliance on screen readers for accessing materials, frequent encounters with inaccessible media, and challenges faced when attempting to understand complex visual content. Notably, the study indicates potential interest among BLV individuals in graphic narratives, an area currently underrepresented and underexplored.

The study underscores the importance of enhancing screen reader capabilities and providing well-described visual elements to improve accessibility. Furthermore, it highlights the role of the internet in accessing multimodal materials, calling for improvements in search algorithms and web content accessibility.