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Almost, but not quite a guide to accessibility requirements
1 Perceivable

1.4.1 Use of Color

Conformance level: A
Criterion released in WCAG version: 2.0

Official description of the success criterion

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

What to do?

Do not use colour as the only visual means of conveying information.

Why is it important?

Ensures that information is accessible to users who are colourblind.

Common pitfalls

Common issues are found in:

  • Interactive elements - default state, hover state, focus state
  • Form elements - error messages, success messages
  • Graphs - e.g. all elements are displayed only with a colour instead of using solutions like patterns, and different kinds of lines. 
How to test for it?

Check all functionalities for the use of color.

How to take this criterion into account in design?

When you design anything, ensure you don't rely on colour alone. One way to help with this is to start your design in black and white. After the design works, you can then add colour.

If the non-colour cue of a link only happens when the mouse hovers over the link or when the link receives focus, it is still a failure. If the link is a different colour and bold, it won't fail because the boldness is not colour dependent.

More about this criterion elsewhere