DES 1.3 Do not convey information with colour alone
Recommendations
Colour will not be available to all people, for example people who:
- Are colour blind;
- Use non-visual output such as:
- screen readers;
- braille output devices;
- Use greyscale screens;
- Print information on mono printers.
You must ensure that these people do not miss out on essential information by not relying solely on colour to present information.
- Use colour - but use a non-colour dependent means of providing the information as well:
- Add extra information, e.g:
- Informative words like "(new)",
- Characters like "*" to indicate required fields on forms,
- Icons (with appropriate alternative text - see DES 4.1;)
- Use section headings etc. to separate items into clear separate categories rather than just colour coding them.
- Add extra information, e.g:
Tip: Colour is often used to highlight:
- New items on a list;
- Required information on forms;
- Locations of errors in forms;
- The current item or page in nav bars, menus and lists.
Watch out for these areas in particular.
Examples
