A colour check is just as important in the real world!
An elderly parent and his credit card
My elderly father has been hospitalised for some time but will be coming home on Monday. This news brings immense relief and joy to our family. However, in preparation for his return, we have encountered some unexpected challenges that highlight a critical issue: accessibility in design.
Just the other day, we were trying to top up his mobile phone. It seemed like a simple task—call the mobile phone company, provide the necessary details, and voila! But, as life would have it, things are rarely that straightforward. My father wanted to use his credit card for the transaction. As I was on the phone with the customer service representative, ready to read out his card details, I hit an unexpected roadblock.
The credit card numbers were printed in a colour that was exactly the same as the background. Imagine trying to read something that is virtually invisible. It was a nightmare, especially since I did not have my assistive technology (glasses) with me. Squinting and straining my eyes, I tried to make out the numbers, but it was almost impossible.
Our accessible alternative? His other card!
After several frustrating minutes, we eventually sorted it out by using his other card, which thankfully had a strong, contrasting background that made the numbers easy to read. While this solved our immediate problem, it made me realise, once again, how vital it is to consider accessibility in any form of design. This was not just a minor inconvenience—it was a significant barrier.
Stop, think and then colour check!
Accessibility in design is not just about ticking boxes on a compliance checklist. It is about ensuring that everyone, regardless of their physical abilities, can access and use a product or service with ease. Whether it is the colour contrast on a credit card, the font size on a website, or the tactile feedback on a keypad, these details matter immensely.
When was the last time you found colour contrast to be an issue? For me, this experience with my father's credit card was a stark reminder. But it does not stop there. Here are some stories others have shared with me about their own experiences with poor colour contrast:
Another colour check experience!
Here was a response from someone else, when I posted about in on LinkedIn
"A participant I was interviewing used their device on dark mode and some elements basically disappeared in this mode!"
I replied, "This is one of the reasons why web designers should include colour contrast options on the website itself, as browser plugins can cause problems just as you describe. It is exactly the same experience that Sara Ahmad, a valued member of my team, has."
As someone who occasionally needs glasses, I often find myself struggling with these design flaws. It is a constant reminder that good design should be intuitive and accessible to everyone. It is about empathy and understanding that our needs can change with time, age, or circumstance.
So, the next time you are involved in a design project, be it a website, a product, or even something as seemingly mundane as a credit card, think about accessibility. Consider how the design will be experienced by someone with visual impairments or other disabilities. Sometimes, it is the smallest changes—like adjusting colour contrast—that can make the biggest difference.
Let us strive to create a world where accessibility is the norm, not an afterthought. Everyone deserves to navigate their daily lives with ease and dignity.
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