Free Color Checker Tools for Image ADA Compliance
It is important that your images pass ADA compliance in relation to image contrast and color for accessibility. Users with visual handicaps and color blindness will still need to view the same image as a normal person. We will attempt to guide you with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 guidelines on what the requirements are for accessibility. Make sure you check out the free image contrast tools to check for ADA compliance passing further down the page.
Skip to the section you would like to read more about with ADA Compliance Image Contrast:
- WCAG 2.1 for Image Contrast – Read about the WCAG 2.0 and 2.1 rules for image contrast.
- Free Tools for Image Contrast Checker – A list of free image contrast tools for reviewing your images for ADA compliance contrast errors.
- What is WCAG 2.1 Contrast Ratio – Learn what WCAG 2.1 contrast ratio is and how it is viewed.
WCAG 2.1 for Image Contrast
WCAG 2.1 (1.4.3 Level AA) – Contrast Minimum
Contrast minimum requirements for text and images of text (visual presentation) needs to have a contrast ratio of 4.5:1.
There are exceptions to this minimum that include:- Larger Text – Contrast ratio of 3:1 for large-scale text and images of large-scale text.
- Incidental – No contrast requirements for the following: Images not visible to anyone, part of a picture that has significant other content, text or images part of an inactive user interface, for decoration.
- Logotypes – No contrast requirements for text that is part of the logo or brand name.
Note: WCAG 2.0 (1.4.3 Level AA) has the same requirements as above.
WCAG 2.1 (1.4.6 Level AAA) – Contrast Enhanced
Contrast enhanced requirements for text and images of text (visual presentation) has to have a contrast ratio of 7:1.
The exceptions to this contrast enhanced include:
- Larger Text – Contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for large-scale text and images of large-scale text.
- Incidental – No contrast requirements for the following: Images not visible to anyone, part of a picture that has significant other content, text or images part of an inactive user interface, for decoration.
- Logotypes – No contrast requirements for text that is part of the logo or brand name.
Note: WCAG 2.0 (1.4.6 Level AAA) has the same requirements as above.
Free ADA Compliance Color Checker Tools
If you are performing an ADA compliance audit yourself, then check out these free contrast tools to test colors for accessibility and ADA Compliance for various WCAG 2.0 and 2.1 AA / AAA.
- Webaim Contrast Checker – One of the better color contrast checkers out there to test with different colors.
- Userway Contrast Checker – Another good color contrast checker out on the web.
- Color Contrast Accessibility Validator – Another basic color contrast validator for ADA accessibility.
- Color Checker for ADA image Compliance – This site allows you to upload the image and will check it for ADA compliance.
- Color Contrast Checker and Ratio Calculator – Another color contrast checker and ratio calculator.
- Contrast Checker and Color Selection – Another image contrast checker and color selection tool.
- Chrome Plugin for WCAG Color Contrast Checker – A chrome plugin that has a color contrast checker.
There are a bunch of other basic tools out on the web that can help with image contrast and web color accessibility for ADA Compliance. If there are tools you like to use, please contact us with your favorite tool for us to add to the list. One last area we would like to cover is defining colors, which are discussed below.
What is WCAG 2.1 Contrast Ratio?
WCAG 2.1 AA has a requirement of a contrast ratio of 3:1 (with exceptions) for graphics and user interface components such as borders on input forms. WCAG 2.1 AAA has a requirement of a contrast ratio of at least 7:1. It’s important that we have ADA compliance for color blind users and visually compared users so they can also view the same images with their computers and assisted screen readers.
Colors and Defining the Contrast
There are several ways we can define colors in terms of HTML and web pages.
- RGB (0, 51, 153) – Red, Green, Blue, and the amounts of each one that forms a specific color. Colors are between 0 – 255.
- Hexadecimal Format (#003399) – An HTML/Webpage hexadecimal format with Red, Green, and Blue values. 6 letters and/or numbers make the full color in hexadecimal.
- HSB or HSL (220, 100, 60) – Hue, Saturation, Brightness/Lightness is another way people will see colors and can help improve contrast ratios by changing the lightness of a color.
When using WCAG 2.1 definitions, the contrast will be measured in terms of the image color’s brightness/lightness between different colors. For example, black text on a black background has a color ratio of 1:1. Black text on a white background will have a color contrast ratio of 21:1 It is important that you test these different contrast ratios to help pass WCAG 2.0 AA ADA compliance at a minimum.
Ready to get your website ADA Compliant?
If you are struggling to get your website images and pages to be ADA Compliant, you should look into consulting with an experienced team with getting websites to be WCAG 2.1 AA compliant. From small businesses to large corporations, your website is at risk for multiple ADA website compliance lawsuits (per action) and should be fixed immediately. If you want to ensure that your current site meets and exceeds the WCAG standard, then contact us for a free consultation. (805) 409-7700
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