Background

§1194.21(i) of Section 508 states that:

"Color coding shall not be used as the only means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element."

Relying on color to convey information or a directive, prompt a response, or distinguish between visual elements is difficult for people with limited sight and impossible for those with none. Users who cannot see or discriminate between colors may find it impossible to perform necessary actions such as reviewing key information and identifying certain color-coded controls, object states, or screen elements.

This fact does not mean that a developer must eliminate all use of color from an application. Color can be used if other methods of identification (such as text labels and different types of images) are provided so that the information can be conveyed to people with vision-related disabilities. For example, if an indicator turns from green to red to show an error condition, the user also needs to receive text that identifies the error.

The purpose of this provision is to ensure that software will not use color as the sole method for conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element.

Testing your application for conformance, and remediating identified issues, are relatively simple actions.

Select the Next button to find out how to assess whether your application conforms to this provision.