Why is Colour Contrast Important for Web Accessibility?

Colour contrast? Isn't that just about making things look pretty? Not really, it’s much more than that.

It's about ensuring that everyone, regardless of their visual abilities, can navigate and understand your website with ease.

Colour Contrast in Accessibility

It's all about the difference in brightness between the text (or other important elements) and its background. The greater the difference, the easier it is for people to read and understand the content.

Imagine you're trying to read a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. If the text is dark grey on a slightly lighter grey background, you'd probably be squinting and holding the menu up to your nose, wouldn't you? But if it's black text on a white background, you'd be ordering in no time. 

What's easy for you to read though, might be a nightmare for someone else. That's why we need to consider a wide range of visual abilities when designing websites. It's not just about catering to people with diagnosed visual impairments; it's about making your site usable for everyone, including:

1. People with colour vision deficiencies (commonly known as colour blindness)

2. Older adults who might have reduced contrast sensitivity

3. Folks trying to use their devices in bright sunlight

4. Anyone who's had a long day and their eyes are feeling a bit tired

Why is Colour Contrast Important?

Why should you care about colour contrast? Well, besides being a decent human being who wants to make the web accessible to everyone (which I'm sure you are), there are some pretty compelling reasons:

Readability for All

First and foremost, good colour contrast makes your content readable for everyone. It's not just about making things look nice; it's about making sure your message actually gets across. After all, what's the point of having a cracking website if people can't read what's on it?

Think about it: you've spent hours crafting the perfect copy, agonising over every word. Wouldn't it be a shame if someone couldn't read it just because the grey text on your light grey background looked all wishy-washy? Good colour contrast ensures that your brilliant words shine through, no matter who's reading them.

Accessibility is the Law

Here's something that might make you sit up and take notice: in many countries, web accessibility isn't just a nice-to-have, it's the law. In the UK, for example, the Equality Act 2010 requires service providers to make "reasonable adjustments" to make their services accessible to disabled people. This includes websites.

So, by paying attention to colour contrast, you're not just being a good egg; you're also keeping yourself on the right side of the law. Plus, it's just good business sense to make your website accessible to as many potential customers as possible, isn't it?

Improved User Experience

Good colour contrast doesn't just benefit people with visual impairments; it makes your site more usable for everyone. Have you ever tried to use your phone in bright sunlight? But with good colour contrast, it becomes much easier.

Or think about those times when you're browsing in bed with the lights off (we've all been there, no judgement). High-contrast text is much easier on the eyes in these situations. By focusing on colour contrast, you're improving the user experience for all your visitors, in all sorts of situations.

Brand Consistency

Now, I know what some of you might be thinking. "But what about my brand colours? I can't just abandon them!" Good colour contrast doesn't mean you have to ditch your brand identity. In fact, it can help reinforce it.

By using your brand colours thoughtfully and ensuring they provide good contrast, you're creating a consistent, recognisable look that's also accessible. It's a win-win!

SEO Benefits

Search engines love accessible websites. While colour contrast itself isn't a direct ranking factor, the overall accessibility of your site can impact your SEO. How? 

Accessible sites tend to have lower bounce rates and higher engagement, which are things search engines pay attention to.

By making your site more accessible, you're potentially increasing your audience, which can lead to more backlinks and social shares. All good stuff for your SEO efforts!

It's Just Good Design

At the end of the day, good colour contrast is simply good design. It shows that you've put thought into how your site looks and functions. It demonstrates attention to detail and a commitment to quality. And let's be honest, it just looks better, doesn't it?

Use Contrast Checking Tools

There are loads of free tools out there that can help you check the contrast ratio of your colour combinations. WebAIM's Contrast Checker is a popular one, but there are plenty of others. These tools will tell you if your colour combinations meet the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards.

Aim for the Right Ratio

The WCAG recommends a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. For enhanced contrast (Level AAA), aim for 7:1 for normal text and 4.5:1 for large text. Don't worry if these numbers sound like gobbledygook; the contrast-checking tools will do the maths for you!

Don't Rely Solely on Colour

While we're talking about colour contrast, it's worth mentioning that you shouldn't rely on colour alone to convey information. For example, don't just use red text to indicate an error. Add an icon or some explanatory text as well. This helps people who might not be able to distinguish the colour change.

Test, Test, and Test Again

Once you've implemented your colour scheme, test it out! Try viewing your site on different devices, in different lighting conditions. Ask people with different visual abilities to give it a go. The more feedback you can get, the better.

Consider Dark Mode

If you're feeling fancy, you might want to consider offering a dark mode option on your site. This can be great for accessibility, as some people find light text on a dark background easier to read. Just make sure you maintain good contrast in both modes.

Don't Forget About Images

It's not just text that needs good contrast. Make sure any important information in images has sufficient contrast too. This includes things like text overlays on hero images or infographics.

The field of web accessibility is always evolving, so make sure you keep yourself updated. The more you learn, the better you'll become at creating accessible designs.

Creating an accessible website isn't just about ticking boxes or meeting legal requirements. It's about creating a web that's truly for everyone, regardless of their abilities or circumstances.

If you need some support with the development of your website or feel it's time to invest in a new one, let's have a chat.