10,000 Cents

Project Goal

Create an accessible version of the 10,000 Cents digital artwork so that non-visual users could engage with it meaningfully without losing the original artistic intent.

In the original experience, visitors used a computer to manually select a pixel from the 10,000 Cents image.

A standout then revealed two views: the actual pixel from a real $100 bill and a hand-drawn recreation of that pixel. However, the experience included no accessible features for blind or visually impaired visitors.

Our goal was to reimagine the piece as a multisensory, inclusive experience, using sound, touch, and accessible navigation, to ensure visitors of all abilities could fully participate.

View Prototype

Accessibility audit

Our accessibility review (WCAG 2) of 10,000 Cents revealed several accessibility issues:

Original exhibit

Lack of text alternatives for each image in the project

Offended criteria: WCAG 1.1 - Text Alternatives

Cursor is smaller than 24 by 24 px

Offended criteria: WCAG 2.5.8 Target Size (Minimum)

inaccessible for red-green colorblindness

Offended criteria: WCAG 1.4.11- Non-text Contrast

Accessibility improvements

Exploration by Reading Aloud Alt-Text

Randomly select cells for reads aloud the image's alt description to allow non-visual users to interact with each pixel, preserving the artistic integrity of the exhibit.

This solution utilizes 3 new features to create a multisensory experience:

Accessible Screen Reader

Screen reader–friendly structure for titles and navigation

Audio Alts for Visualizations

Turning visual information into sound for accessible, inclusive experiences.

Select-Cell Randomizer

Randomly select cells for authentic non-visual interaction

Using tab-index to Support Keyboard Accessibility

Enables keyboard navigation for non-mouse users through tab-index search and ensures compliance with WCAG 2.1, ADA Title III, and Section 508 of Rehabilitation Act. Allows users to explore exhibit content in both original and accessible experience.

This solution utilizes 2 new features to immerse users into the exhibit:

Immersive Audio Guide

Verbally guide users through both the exhibit and the project context

Toggle Views

Allows users to seamlessly toggle between the "accessible" and original layouts

These features allow visitors with visual impairments to

Reach and interact with hover-triggered content using the keyboard
Use screen readers and assistive tech more effectively
Access custom elements like <div> via keyboard focus
Move through content in a logical, predictable order

takeaways

These changes improved the experience of 10,000 Cents while maintaining its artistic integrity, and preserving the random cell selection that helps audiences understand the meaning of the work within the artist’s original intent.

This project was well received by the Cooper Hewitt team, who appreciated our accessible, thoughtful reinterpretation of the original work. Although our goal was to make 10,000 Cents accessible, the Cooper Hewitt team was especially excited by our multi-sensory approach, which invited visitors of all abilities to engage with the piece in inclusive, interactive ways.

There is still room to grow:
How might blind and deaf users fully engage?
How can we broaden alt text and narration to support other languages?