how to optimise colour contrast for inclusive design
In today’s digital age it’s crucial to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, can access and interact with online content. For visually impaired individuals, navigating websites can be a challenging task, but with the right measures in place, we can create a more inclusive online environment. One such measure is ensuring sufficient colour contrast in website content and branding.
why sufficient colour contrast matters
Colour contrast refers to the difference in luminance or colour between two elements on a webpage, typically the foreground (text or graphics) and the background. For those with visual impairments, such as low vision or colour blindness, insufficient colour contrast can make it difficult or impossible to discern content, leading to frustration and exclusion.
Imagine trying to read text on a webpage where the text colour blends into the background, making it nearly illegible. This is a common issue faced by many individuals with visual impairments when websites fail to prioritise colour contrast. By ensuring adequate colour contrast, we can enhance readability and comprehension for all users, regardless of their visual abilities.
compliance with WCAG standards
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide a set of standards to ensure that web content is accessible to people with disabilities. One of the key principles of WCAG is ensuring perceivable content, which includes sufficient colour contrast. Adhering to WCAG standards not only ensures accessibility but also demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and equal access for all users.
colour contrast analyser tools
Fortunately, there are tools available to help developers and designers evaluate the colour contrast of their content. Colour contrast analyser tools allow users to test the contrast ratio between foreground and background colours to ensure compliance with accessibility guidelines.
These tools typically provide feedback on whether the colour combination meets or exceeds the minimum contrast requirements specified by WCAG. By integrating colour contrast analyser tools into the web development process, developers can identify and address accessibility issues early on, ultimately creating a more inclusive user experience.
how is it used?
The Fairness team use the Colour Contrast Analyser (CCA) tool on websites to test the contrast of the content we audit and produce. We recommend this tool because it measures against the current WCAG standards and also includes a colour blindness simulator. This empathises and provides insight to users that have visual impairments affecting how they interact with online content.
The Colour Contrast Analyser incorporates an eye drop tool that enables users to identify the colour codes of two selected colours. This functionality proves particularly useful in scenarios such as overlaying text onto images where multiple colours are present.
commitment to fairness
Incorporating sufficient colour contrast into website content and branding is a reflection of our commitment to diversity and inclusion in the digital landscape. By prioritising colour contrast, we can ensure that all users can access and engage with online content effectively.
As we strive to create a more accessible web, lets remember the importance of colour contrast and its impact on the overall user experience. By embracing accessibility best practices and leveraging tools such as the colour contrast analyser, we can build a more inclusive online environment where everyone has equal access to information and resources. For any advice and information regarding colour contrast send us a message and we’ll be happy to help!