Or trying to spot a link when the text looks just like everything else. Use of Color ensures that important information isn’t lost for people who can’t perceive color, by offering alternative ways to convey meaning, so everyone can navigate forms, links, and content with ease.
Who this impacts
- People with color blindness: They rely on cues beyond color to distinguish elements.
- People with visual impairments: Color-based distinctions can be difficult to see for those with low vision.
- People using screen readers: Assistive technologies can’t announce color changes, so extra context is needed.
- People in difficult viewing environments: Bright light or poor screen quality can make color-based distinctions hard to notice.
- Everyone: Clear and accessible design benefits all users, providing better clarity and usability.
How to meet Use of Color
- Provide text alternatives: Ensure that any color-coded information is also described in text or using symbols.
- Use patterns or shapes: When using charts, maps, or diagrams, include patterns or different shapes alongside colors to differentiate between elements.
- Test without color: Check your design in grayscale or with color-blindness simulation tools to make sure it’s accessible without relying on color alone.
Top tips
- Pair color with text: When using colors to differentiate elements, always include text to explain their meaning.
- Test under different conditions: Simulate color-blindness or check your design in low-light settings to make sure the content is still accessible. Silktide has a free browser extension that includes visual simulations.
Be mindful of contrast: Ensure there’s strong contrast between background and foreground colors to help users with low vision.