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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.

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How to Use Color

Color can enhance accessibility when used sparingly and with intention.

Please watch this short video to learn how to properly use color in your course.

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Helpful Third Party Tools

• • Tests the contrast ratio between text and background and shows if it meets WCAG standards.
• • Provides an overview of accessibility issues on a webpage, including color contrast problems.
• • Lets you apply color filters to see how a webpage appears to people with different color vision deficiencies.
• • A mobile app that simulates various types of color vision deficiencies in real time.

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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.

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Need Help?

• Stop by our which is open Monday – Friday, 9-4.
• Book a time to meet with a team member through our
• Email us at its.digitallearning@unomaha.edu.