Jedadiah Ashford
1/26/2008
We Accessibility Report #2

Guideline 2. Don't rely on color alone.
Ensure that text and graphics are understandable when viewed without color.

This guideline really makes sense, we need to provide contrast to the web pages that we make. Contrast between the text and the background is particularly important. Without this contrast, those that are color blind cannot read the information. This guideline is very careful to mention that it is important to make sure this contrast is there when the information is pertinent to the function or importance of the web site.

The other reason to provide this contrast and color schemes is for those using a monochrome screen. We think that there is probably no one out there that is using a screen like that but we forget that the internet is worldwide, that there are people in 3rd world countries that use screens probably made years ago.

The standard calls for information provided in color to also be provided in monochrome. A good example of this would be a colored chart. Maybe a link could be provided under the chart that would take the user to a non-color chart. This would provide a way for this guideline to be fulfilled.

The article also mentions that the web page needs to use current standards for markup and html. We need to use number to describe color and not the color names. If we can apply this simple guideline, then we can reach a larger audience and bring more users happily to our webpages.

Source links: http://www.w3.org/TR/WAI-WEBCONTENT/#gl-color