Catering For Users That Have Colour Deficiencies in Web Design

Last week we talked about how important colour is when it comes to web design. I wanted to expand on that thought and talk about catering for users who suffer from colour deficiencies. When thinking about web design it's important to take into consideration people who have difficulties distinguishing between certain colours. 

Say for instance, if someone is Red-Blind/Protanopia and you use red text in your error message to stand out – it won't come across the same. In this case, the red text would be replaced with a green colour that can easily blend in with black content on a page and can be unnoticed.

Users can suffer from a range of colour deficiencies in the form of red, green, and blue blind to users that are red, green, blue weak and monochromacy blind which is total colour blindness.

The point I am trying to get across is when designing your website don't totally rely on colour alone to convey your message. Look at combining colour with other design tactics such as shapes, grids, typography or spaces and assign more emphasis to important elements on your website.

Here are some tips for catering to users with colour deficiencies in web design:

1. Use colour contrast: Ensure that there is enough contrast between text and background colours so that users with colour deficiencies can easily read the text. This can be achieved by using colours with a high contrast ratio or by using black and white.
2. Avoid using colour alone to convey information: For example, if you're using colour to indicate an error message, also include a text message or an icon to help users who may not be able to distinguish the colour.
3. Use patterns and textures: Instead of relying solely on colour to distinguish between different elements, use patterns and textures to provide additional visual cues.
4. Provide alternative text descriptions: If you're using images or charts that rely heavily on colour, provide alternative text descriptions that describe the information being conveyed.
5. Test your design with colour-deficient users: There are tools available online that can help you simulate what your website looks like to users with different types of colour deficiencies. Use these tools to test your design and make any necessary adjustments.

When designing a website, it's important to ensure that it's accessible to as many people as possible, including those with colour deficiencies.  Talk to our team of web design experts today about making your website more inclusive.