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Help your students succeed by making content in your subject accessible using the LX Accessible Content Practices – be mindful of how you use colour – ensure there’s enough contrast between text and background, it’s not overwhelming and it’s not used to convey meaning alone.
Students Explain: Using Colour
Colour needs to be used mindfully in your subject as it can create barriers for some students. If there’s not enough contrast between the text and the background – some students might not be able to see the content. If it’s used as the only means to convey meaning – students who are colour blind won’t be able to pick up on what you mean. If it’s used too much – it can be overwhelming and confusing for students with conditions like dyslexia.
We asked our Digital Accessibility Ambassadors – UTS students with lived experience of disability about why being mindful of how you use colour in your subject is important to them.
Colour contrast
When using colour, it’s essential to ensure that there is a high level of contrast so that coloured text can be seen clearly. While all users can struggle with low contrast colours, high contrast colour combinations are critical for students with vision disabilities. Below is an example of good colour contrast and poor colour contrast.
The white writing on a blue background is clear and visible, while the white writing on a yellow background is hard to read.
Colour contrast examples
Low colour contrast example – white text on pale yellow background
High colour contrast example – white text on dark blue background
You can check your colour combinations are of sufficient contrast using the following tools:
- Canvas Accessibility Checker
- Microsoft Word Accessibility Checker
- Websites such as Colour Contrast Checker and Who Can Use, which shows detailed information for all colour and contrast combinations.
Issues with colour conveying meaning
When using colour to distinguish content, such bars on a graph, always provide an alternative way of understanding the meaning. Some users, such as those with colour blindness, will not be able to distinguish content based on colour alone. Providing an alternative will ensure that the process is clear to all of your students.
Zoom Text is a type of assistive technology that a students might use on their device to convert text into audio, magnify text and change the colour scheme. This demonstration shows why it’s important to be mindful when using colour.
Issues with colour overwhelming students
Consistent formatting is key – avoid adding too many colour in Canvas using the Rich Content Editor, as this can overwhelm some users – so that they find it hard to engage with your content or make them visually fatigued.