color-accessibility

name	color-accessibility
description	Design color palettes that are accessible to all users including those with color blindness. Ensure sufficient contrast, meaningful use of color, and inclusive design.

Color Accessibility

Table of Contents

• Overview
• When to Use
• Quick Start
• Reference Guides
• Best Practices

Overview

Accessible color design ensures all users, including those with color vision deficiency, can access and understand information.

When to Use

• Creating color palettes
• Designing data visualizations
• Testing interface designs
• Status indicators and alerts
• Form validation states
• Charts and graphs

Quick Start

Minimal working example:

WCAG Contrast Ratios:

WCAG AA (Minimum):
  - Normal text: 4.5:1
  - Large text (18pt+): 3:1
  - UI components & graphical elements: 3:1
  - Focus indicators: 3:1

WCAG AAA (Enhanced):
  - Normal text: 7:1
  - Large text: 4.5:1
  - Better for accessibility

---
Testing Contrast:

Tools:
  - WebAIM Contrast Checker
  - Color Contrast Analyzer
  - Figma plugins
  - Browser DevTools

Formula (WCAG): Contrast = (L1 + 0.05) / (L2 + 0.05)
  Where L = relative luminance

// ... (see reference guides for full implementation)

Reference Guides

Detailed implementations in the references/ directory:

Guide	Contents
Color Contrast Standards	Color Contrast Standards
Color Vision Deficiency Simulation	Color Vision Deficiency Simulation
Accessible Color Usage	Accessible Color Usage
Testing & Validation	Testing & Validation

Best Practices

✅ DO

• Ensure 4.5:1 contrast minimum (WCAG AA)
• Test with color blindness simulator
• Use patterns or icons with color
• Label states with text, not color alone
• Test with real users with color blindness
• Document color usage in design system
• Choose accessible color palettes
• Use sequential colors for ordered data
• Validate all color combinations
• Include focus indicators

❌ DON'T

• Use color alone to convey information
• Create low-contrast text
• Assume users see colors correctly
• Use red-green combinations
• Forget about focus states
• Mix too many colors (>5-8)
• Use pure red and pure green together
• Skip contrast testing
• Assume AA is sufficient (AAA better)
• Ignore color blindness in testing