Color Contrast
Applying color contrast to a document helps make text and important information easier to read, ensuring everyone can see and understand it clearly.
Whooo does this help?
- Jamie, a student with color vision deficiency, benefits from high color contrast in documents, making it easier for them to read and understand the information.
- Taylor, a student with attention difficulties, finds that good color contrast helps them focus better on important details in their notes, improving their learning experience.
The Direct Route
Low color contrast makes reading text more difficult when it doesn’t contrast with background colors. Resist using color as the only means of communicating.
It is tempting to use color as a way of emphasizing important information but it shouldn’t be the only way. If you do want to use color in that way, distinguish the foreground and background colors by using highly contrasting colors. That goes for links, icons, and hyperlinks. It makes it easier for people with low contrast sensitivity or colorblindness to read the information in a variety of lighting situations.
Color Contrast Checkers to use:
- WebAIM
- Download Colour Contrast Analyzer to your computer by searching your app store
According to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, color contrast ratio of 4:5:1 between foreground and background colors meet the minimum standard of accessibility. Using the WebAIM color contrast checker is a good way of finding out how you’re doing. Check out the Tool Box for more helpful resources.
Good to know:
Low vision means that people struggle with perceiving fine details, such as small text and subtle color variations. High contrast is essential for access and comprehension.