Accessibility awareness: Colour contrast
To mark National Inclusion Week (15th to 21st September) this month’s accessibility campaign focuses on the often overlooked aspect of: Colour contrast.
Whether you’re creating a Word document, PowerPoint presentation, or publishing content online, colour contrast affects how easily people can read and understand your content.
Poor contrast can make information inaccessible to:
- People with Colour Vision Deficiency (CVD)
- Users of assistive technology
- Older adults and those with reduced vision
- Anyone using screens in bright environments
Cllr Nosheen Dad, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Corporate said:
“Accessibility is about making sure everyone can take part, and that starts with how we present information. Colour contrast might seem like a small detail, but it can make a big difference — especially for people with visual impairments or those using assistive technology. I’m proud that Kirklees is raising awareness and helping our services, partners and communities become more inclusive in everything they do.”
What’s inside the guidance
The full guidance explains:
- Why colour contrast is essential for readability and accessibility
- How colour coding (like RAG ratings) can exclude users if not supported by text or symbols
- How assistive technology interacts with colour contrast
- How to check and improve contrast in Microsoft documents and web content
Tools and tips
The guide includes practical tools to help you:
- Use Microsoft’s Accessibility Checker to spot hard-to-read contrast
- Test your colour combinations using online contrast checkers
- Ensure compliance with WCAG Level AA standards
Read the full guidance
To learn more and access helpful tools, visit the full guidance page on our website.
The Colour Contrast guidance was written by Richard Dresser, Local Offer Development and Engagement Lead. Richard is part of the Accessibility Awareness Campaign working party, a sub-group of the Kirklees Digital Accessibility Group.
Accessibility Awareness Campaign
Each month we spotlight a different accessibility topic as part of our Accessibility Awareness Campaign. This month’s focus on Colour Contrast is a call to action for anyone creating digital content — from businesses and charities to public services — to check how readable their materials are for everyone.