Why Color Matters
About 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women experience some form of color vision deficiency (National Eye Institute, 2019). For these students, color alone may not communicate information effectively.
Color can add visual interest and help organize information, but if it is the only way to convey meaning, some students may miss important details. Accessible use of color ensures that all students, regardless of their ability to perceive colors, experience content in the same way.
How to Use Color
Color can enhance accessibility when used sparingly and with intention.
Remediating color issues with Panorama:
- Edit your page: Open the page or assignment you want to edit in Canvas.
- Access the checker: Select the Panorama icon (gas gauge) at the bottom of the page.
- Address issues: Panorama will suggest a color that is more accessible, or you can choose a different color on your own.
- Save your changes. Select “add fix” to complete the change.
Please watch this short video to learn how to properly use color in your course.
Helpful Third Party Tools
- WebAIM Contrast Checker
- Tests the contrast ratio between text and background and shows if it meets WCAG standards.
- WAVE Accessibility Checker
- Provides an overview of accessibility issues on a webpage, including color contrast problems.
- TopTal’s Color Filter Website
- Lets you apply color filters to see how a webpage appears to people with different color vision deficiencies.
- Chromatic Vision Simulator
- A mobile app that simulates various types of color vision deficiencies in real time.
General Tips for Using Color
- Use color for visual emphasis, but always pair it with another cue, such as bold text, symbols, or labels.
- Ensure strong contrast between text and background. Aim for at least a 4.5:1 contrast ratio (WCAG 2.1 AA standard).
- In charts or graphs, combine color with other differences like shapes, patterns, or labels (e.g., circles, triangles, or diamonds) so categories remain distinct.
- Provide descriptions for figures that explain what the colors represent.
- Use Canvas’s Accessibility Checker, Panorama, or tools like the ones listed above to confirm color choices meet accessibility standards.
Need Help?
- Stop by our Virtual Support Drop-In Zoom Room, which is open Monday – Friday, 9-4.
- Book a time to meet with a team member through our Digital Learning Bookings page!
- Email us at its.digitallearning@unomaha.edu.