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Re: 1.4.1 use of color for state indicator

for

From: Patrick H. Lauke
Date: Mar 9, 2020 4:48AM

On 09/03/2020 10:40, glen walker wrote:
> But from a strict reading of 1.4.1, it sounds like a failure. Color *is*
> being used as the only indicator. Whether it's a dramatic change isn't
> implied in the success criterion.
>
> My example was intentionally extreme.
>
> When would an example cross the border of being extreme, whether black and
> white, or reversal of foreground and background colors, to something that's
> still maybe ok to when it becomes not ok?
>
> So if the buttons have a white background initially, and the selected
> button has a blue background, is that a failure? If the blue is still dark
> enough that it passes, when does it not pass? As the blue gets lighter?
> As the contrast ratio approaches 4.5?
>
> That seems a bit subjective. Color is still being used as the only means
> to convey information. Or should 1.4.1 really be "if color is the only
> means" *and* contrast is below a threshold, then it fails?

Well, that's the "joy" of those SCs (and that "by the backdoor"
redefinition of "color is hue, not lightness" from F73). It's all very
wooly and gappy. Because if the intent is strictly about people who have
issues with color perception / color blindness, the F73 escape clause
makes sense, and the understanding document needs to be updated.
Otherwise, F73 needs to be retired/clarified. And/or what counts as
another "visual" hint needs to be clarified...is it purely text-based
(implied by the mention of "text-only displays")? Because then even an
additional icon or border or different text visual treatment or similar
would not be sufficient to pass.

(This is the usual case of vague definitions which lead to far more
unexpected questions that were never intended when the SC/Understanding
were written).

P
--
Patrick H. Lauke

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