SKILL.md
Color Accessibility
Table of Contents
- [Overview](#overview)
- [When to Use](#when-to-use)
- [Quick Start](#quick-start)
- [Reference Guides](#reference-guides)
- [Best Practices](#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 Vision Deficiency Simulation
Color Vision Deficiency Simulation
Accessible Color Usage
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