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Why color contrasts are important for accessibility?

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Strong color contrasts are necessary for accessibility as it directly impacts the readability and usability of content for people with various disabilities and in different contexts.
Here’s why:

Low Vision

People with low vision require strong color contrasts to easily and confortably access information displayed on their screens.

Color Blindness

Color blindnesses affect color contrasts and visibility, it is necessary to take them into account to make sure information is properly displayed.

Cognitive Disabilities

People with cognitive disabilities can have difficulties accessing, understanding and memorizing content with poor color contrasts.

Environmental Context

When the sun is shinning on your smartphone, color contrasts become a big deal! Color contrast affects everyone in based on the environnement settings.

Here is why accessible color contrasts is important

1. Visual Impairments

  • Low Vision

    Many people with low vision or other visual impairments rely on high contrast to differentiate the text from its background. Without sufficient contrast, reading becomes challenging or impossible. Globally, 1.1 billion people were living with some level of vision loss in 2020. This includes 43 million people with blindness and 295 million people with moderate to severe visual impairement (The American Foundation for the Blind).

  • Color Blindness

    People with color blindness may not perceive certain color differences, making it essential to have strong contrasts to distinguish between elements like buttons, texts, and backgrounds. Approximately 8% of men (1 in 12) and 0.5% of women (1 in 200) worldwide have some form of color blindness (Color Blindness). Red-green color blindness is the most prevalent type, particularly among men of Caucasian descent, where up to 10% are affected. In contrast, the prevalence is lower in African (4%) and Asian (5%) populations (Color Blindness).

2. Cognitive Disabilities

  • Individuals with cognitive disabilities or learning disorders, such as dyslexia, ADHD, and certain forms of autism, may struggle with low contrast, as it can make text or interface elements harder to identify. High contrasts help reduce cognitive load by making content more readable and more distinguishable.

3. Aging Population

  • As people age, their vision typically deteriorates, resulting in difficulties perceiving low-contrast elements. Ensuring strong contrast supports accessibility for older adults, improving readability and comprehension.

    According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 2.2 billion people globally have some form of vision impairment, and a large proportion of this population consists of individuals aged 50 and above. In fact, 81% of those who are blind or have moderate to severe vision impairment are aged 50 years or older.

4. Environmental Context

  • Contextual factors like poor lighting, glare, or viewing content on a mobile device in bright sunlight can make low-contrast content difficult to read. High contrast improves usability across a wide range of environments, benefiting everyone.

5. Regulatory Compliance

  • The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) set specific contrast ratios to ensure digital content is accessible to all users. Following these guidelines helps organizations comply with laws like the European Accessibility Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

    The European Accessibility Act (EAA) mandates that digital products and services, such as websites, apps, and e-commerce platforms, meet accessibility standards to ensure inclusion for people with disabilities across the EU.

    Similarly, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that digital content be accessible to individuals with disabilities in the U.S., particularly under its application to public accommodations and services, which includes websites.

    Non-compliance can lead to legal penalties and lawsuits, making adherence to WCAG guidelines crucial for organizations operating in these regions.

High contrast is a principle of universal design, which aims to create products and interfaces that are usable by as many people as possible, regardless of their abilities or conditions. By prioritizing contrast, you can create more inclusive designs that cater to a diverse audience. 

In summary, good contrast improves accessibility for people with visual impairments, cognitive challenges, older people,, and those in challenging environments. It is an essential part of inclusive design and helps meet legal accessibility requirements.

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