FINAL PROJECT: Abstract and Reader's Reponse > A Guide to Color Blind-Friendly Visuals
S, good plan. I think the idea of alienation can be addressed in several ways:
Many individuals with color blind conditions work hard to compensate for this fundamental mismatch between colors seen and colors chosen in a display or document. Increasing awareness of universal design and accommodation of disability encourages designers, writers, scientists, and all professionals to adapt color sections to support these colleagues.
Be sure to add definition of universal design and disability support. I can use that to encourage (persuade!) my colleagues to look at this document with me.
ABT statement?
Many individuals with color blind conditions work hard to compensate for this fundamental mismatch between colors seen and colors chosen in a display or document. Increasing awareness of universal design and accommodation of disability encourages designers, writers, scientists, and all professionals to adapt color sections to support these colleagues.
Be sure to add definition of universal design and disability support. I can use that to encourage (persuade!) my colleagues to look at this document with me.
ABT statement?
May 10, 2018 |
Marybeth Shea
Marybeth Shea
Color Blindness, also known as color vision deficiency, is one of the best understood genetic disorders. The condition is linked to a recessive X chromosome-linked allele that impedes the development of one or more of the three sets of color sensing cones in the eye. The most common type is red-green color blindness, which affects up to 8% of males and 0.5 % of females (Colour Blind Awareness, 2017). However, very minimal effort is spent by professors in science classes and researchers in laboratory settings to accommodate for people with this disability. Even though science regularly relies on colors to report data and convey findings, many students and researcher are alienated and their work hindered as a result of their inability to discern between certain colors. Difficulty to distinguish between colors is not only detrimental to the development of young scientists and students, but it can also result in damaging miscommunication in emergencies and laboratory settings. Therefore, this guide provides specific instructions on how to modify course materials and laboratory visuals to be more color blind friendly. The instructions include, but are not limited to, adjusting the color hue, revising color selections, and providing resources for colorblind students to learn more about their condition. More color blind-friendly visuals will ensure that color blind students and researchers are not put at a disadvantage in the competitive world of science in the modern world.
WC: 233
Reader’s Profile:
I am imagining a reader who understands the genetics behind color blindness but is skeptical of the changes that my guide suggests because they have used the same course material for years. This reader may prefer to have a one-on-one conversation with any student that has difficulty understanding this material.
Reader’s Response:
I must admit that I was not aware of just how many people suffer from color blindness; however, knowing the genetic cause behind it, I understand that there may be some male color blind students in my class. However, I do not think that changing all of my course material will be necessary. If a student has difficulty distinguishing between colors in a figure or image, they should come talk to me in person that I will allocate time to review those figures individually with them. Maybe I will discuss the importance of color in science and offer office hours for a color blind student, but I do not think an overhaul of all my course material is necessary.