When information is being conveyed using color alone, that information is not accessible to some users.
Using color alone negatively impacts:
- Users with partial sight
- Users who have color-blindness
- Users who have limited color monochrome displays
- Users who rely on printing content in black and white
Common example: Graphs and Charts
Using color alone to differentiate between data in charts and graphs makes it difficult or impossible for some users to understand its meaning. The image below shows how a bar chart that only uses color to differentiate the information can be difficult to understand, with the colors appearing in shades of gray.
Provide alternate ways to convey meaning
The image below shows the same bar charts but it uses color and pattern to differentiate between the data.
Learn more about formatting your charts and graphs in Microsoft products.
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act:Â All Minnesota State employee electronic documents and course materials must adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA standards by April 24, 2026. These guidelines provide a comprehensive framework to ensure that content is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for all users.
