Many websites contain different types of designs. But do any of these websites have what it takes to reach a wide audience? The key to creating a website is having one that’s accessible to everyone. And not to mention designing one that it can rank well with search engines. Have you ever considered designing websites for the colorblind? Here are some recommendations for designing websites that are functional not only for the non-color impaired, but also for the color impaired.

Studies have demonstrated that color deficiency affects 8% of males and about ½ % of females. Testing has been done in order to diagnose red or green deficiency, which is the most common type of colorblind vision. The Ishihara Color Test includes colored spots pictures containing Arabic digits in different color. People with color deficiency can’t see the spots in different colors. About 99% of people suffer from red or green deficiency.

1. Dichromat Vision. This type of vision uses 2 of the 3 pigments, either the color red, green or blue is missing. Here are three kinds of Dichromat Vision.

a.) Protanopia Vision: color red is missing.

b.) Deuteranopia Vision: color green is missing.

c.) Tritanopia Vision: color blue is missing.

2. Monochromat Vision: unable to receive more than one color.

3. Anomalous Trichromat Vision. This type of vision is able to receive 3 color receptors. One pigment is not aligned correctly. The following are three kinds of Anomalous Trichromat Vision.

a.) Tritanomaly Vision: color blue is reduced.

b.) Protanomaly Vision: color red is reduced.

c.) Deuteranomaly Vision: color green is reduced.

Colorblind individuals can get frustrated when they come across a website that contains the wrong color combinations. A not well designed website makes it difficult for colorblind individuals to navigate. Here are some examples and links to what colorblind people have to say when encountering a colorblind non-friendly website.

“Don't you know that "so and so" many people have one form or another of colorblindness. I can't read the Russian character in the keyboard. Could you change the color of the letters?” http://webhostinggeeks.com/articles/web-design/25051.php

“…I could see no way to complete my order. I sat staring at the screen, my frustration growing by the minute. As a co-worker walked by I happened to ask: ‘Am I missing something? What do I do to complete this order, I feel like an idiot!’ The co-worker's response was justified, and at the root of this usability issue: ‘You are an idiot, click on the graphic where it says Click here to complete the order.’ My response: ‘What graphic, I don't see a graphic.’ She trudged back, put her finger right on the screen and said: ‘It's right there, look.’ It was then we realized that my fairly typical colorblindness was preventing me from seeing this crucial piece of information on their website. It was unreadable to me.” http://webword.com/moving/colorblindness.html

“Do not be deceived into thinking that because you have not heard from colorblind customers or users, you have no problems. Our experience is such that we reach a point in the site where we get stumped. Often we cannot discern the instructions but it is common that we do not even see them. If we complain it is unlikely to even touch on colorblindness because we can't see the problem!” http://webword.com/moving/colorblindness.html

“Imagine the Green is Red.” http://hicksdesign.co.uk/journal/an-explanation-of-colorblindness

http://www.last.fm/music/Say+Anything/_/Colorblind

Watch out for the color combinations that you use when designing websites for the colorblind. Learn what color combinations you can’t use. Stay away from red and green combinations. Individuals with Anomalous Trichromat Vision can’t tell the red and green apart.

Find the content of most importance in your websites, and make these colorblind safe. Headers, sub headers, menus and navigational text are the most important aspects of your pages. You should make these black and white, which are the best contrasting colors. You can use a lot of color in the background if it doesn’t affect the contrast of the text.

The Web Design Evaluation Tool is a free tool you can found on the net. In order to make sure that your websites contain enough contrast, you can use this evaluation tool. With this tool you can view different ways that your pages can be seen by a colorblind person. The Web Design Evaluation Tool can help you in designing websites for the colorblind.

The Colorblind Web Page Filter Tool can be useful by typing in your URL. You have a few options that contain different kinds of colorblindness. This filter allows you to see how your pages will look to a colorblind person. The Colorblind Web Page Filter Tool can help you make necessary adjustments to your sites.

Adobe Photoshop. This is another tool you can use to test your websites if these have enough contrast. Desaturate your pages in Adobe Photoshop. Check if the images contain sufficient contrast.

 Sources:

http://colorvisiontesting.com/color2.htm

http://www.allwebdesignresources.com/webdesignblogs/graphics/how-to-design-web-accessible-pages-for-the-colorblind/

http://www.blurtit.com/q137236.html