Accessibility Awareness Week – Color: Is Your Palette Pretty Inclusive?

You’ve finalized your brand’s color palette with each hue carefully selected to evoke emotion, convey values, and stand out. 

However, upon launching your website, you discover that your chosen colors lack sufficient contrast, making text hard to read. Or perhaps, when printed, the colors appear differently, leading to miscommunication and confusion.

Color does more than beautify; it communicates, interacts with, and includes diverse audiences. However, without mindful contrast, it can also exclude.

Whether you're selecting brand colors or applying them across platforms, ensuring sufficient contrast isn't just a design choice, it's an accessibility imperative. 

Why Contrast Matters:

• Readability: High contrast between text and background ensures content is legible for everyone, including those with visual impairments.

• Compliance: Adhering to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) means meeting specific contrast ratios of at least AA Standard:

  • Normal text: 4.5:1

  • Large text: 3:1

  • Enhanced readability: 7:1

• User Experience: Accessible color choices reduce eye strain and improve overall user engagement.

Summer Inspired Color Palette:

Design examples made by Danielle Agriopoulos

Tools to Assist:

• WebAIM Contrast Checker: Evaluate color combinations for WCAG compliance.

• Adobe Color Accessibility Tools: Design palettes that meet accessibility standards.

• Venngage's Accessible Color Palette Generator: Create and test inclusive color schemes. 

Remember, accessibility isn't a one-time task—it's an ongoing commitment. Regularly test your designs and seek feedback to ensure your brand remains inclusive.