Color vision differences and website accessibility design
Color vision differences are not a single condition. The Protan type mainly affects red perception, the Deutan type mainly affects green perception, and the Tritan type affects blue-yellow recognition; Achromatopsia and Achromatomaly can greatly reduce or remove chroma. Simulation tools use color matrices to approximate possible visual outcomes, which are good for identifying risks during the design phase, but cannot represent how each person will truly feel or what a medical diagnosis will be.
A reliable interface can't just distinguish success from failure in red and green. Please include text labels, icons, line styles, textures, or positional differences, and make sure focus, hover, and chart legends are still understandable. The text and background also need to pass the WCAG contrast check; "simulation can be seen" does not mean that the contrast meets the standard.
Recommended inspection process
- Start by quickly scanning brand images, charts, and button states in side-by-side mode.
- Switch between the eight models and find the boundaries where the colors merge and disappear.
- Add non-color prompts to key states and resimulate.
- Verification is completed with actual user testing and contrast checks.