Using Color Contrast

Color Contrast (Readability)

Target Audience: Chaffey College Faculty, Staff, and Students (Beginner Level)
Software: Microsoft Word 365 (Enterprise)
Goal: Ensure text is readable for students with low vision or color blindness (Title II compliance).

The Concept

If light gray text is placed on a white background, or bright red text on a black background, many students physically cannot read it. Accessible documents require a strong contrast between text color and background color.

The Rule

Use black text on a white background for the vast majority of your document. If you use color (for example, Chaffey red), ensure it is a dark shade with strong contrast.

Step‑by‑Step Instructions

1. Do Not Use Color Alone to Convey Meaning

• The Problem: If instructions rely only on color (for example, “All students in the red group submit today”), a color‑blind student may not perceive any difference.
• The Fix: Always include text labels. For example: “All students in the Red Group (Group A) submit today.”

2. Check Whether Your Colors Are Accessible

• You do not need to be a color expert—Word will identify problems for you.
• Go to Review > Check Accessibility.
• If you see a warning labeled “Hard‑to‑read text contrast,” the text color is too light.
• Select the warning and change the font color to a darker shade until the warning disappears.

3. Use Highlighting Carefully

• If you use the Highlight tool, stick to yellow or bright green with black text.
• Avoid dark highlighter colors (such as purple or dark blue), which make black text difficult or impossible to read.