Understanding WCAG SC 1.4.1 Use of Color
1.4.1 Use of Color: Color is not used as the only visual means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element. (Level A)
Note: This success criterion addresses color perception specifically. Other forms of perception are covered in Guideline 1.3 including programmatic access to color and other visual presentation coding.
Some of the best examples of use of color are, marking input fields in red color to convey errors or ‘required’ information, a button marked in green that performs the essential action like submitting a form, a text prompt that says “click the green button to submit the form”, a graph that uses only color to indicate the growth/decline percentage, etc. In all the above examples user is being asked to refer to a particular color to find information & if they cannot get to that color or understand what that color represents, then it is a failure of this check point.
Points to Ponder
Related Reads
- Color Palette Contrast Checkers Roundup
A curated list of color palette contrast checkers from around the web, use these tools to check or generate color palettes that are accessible. - WCAG Color Contrast Checker by DigitalA11Y
The WCAG color contrast checker is a simple to use tool the help you test if the foreground and background color meets necessary WCAG requirements. It also provides a comprehensive insight if the colors chosen meet the necessary contrast requirements and if they can be perceived by color blind users with Protanomaly, Protanopia, Deuteranomaly, Deuteranopia, Tritanomaly, Tritanopia, Achromatomaly, Achromatopsia. - Understanding SC 1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics
- Understanding Colour Blindness
- Colour Blindness in Gaming
- More Colour Blindess in Gaming
- Understanding Success Criterion 1.4.1: Use of Color by W3C
