Accessibility of two extremes

WCAG is quite clear with the colour contrast ratios we need to meet.

But meeting contrast requirements is not enough; people perceive colour differently.

Our situation: We have accordions with black text (#000000) on a light grey (#F4F4F7) background, with a contrast ratio of 19.1: 1.
On hover, the background becomes light blue, so #000000 on #CCDFEA produces a contrast ratio of 15.3:1.

While this combination meets contrast ratios one user has reached out to us that because of their total colour blindness, they find the text on grey background ‘extremely hard to read’.

I understand that people will have very different experiences of vision loss and of colour perception loss. I also understand that there could be co-existing conditions for this user that adds to their difficulties.

The solution that we find is to make the accordion just black text on white background. We will also apply variations of bold text and lines to differentiate the states (on hover, etc).

If we adjust to meet the requirements to one type of user at the other end of the spectrum would it result to making the results not as accessible for another type of user at the other end of the spectrum?

For example, is black text on white background not as accessible for people with dyslexia?

Will it be tiring for people with issues with too high contrast?

How will you provide balance in this situation?

We will also appreciate further references and research about these conditions and application of WCAG guidelines if there are any you can provide.

Thanks.

Kind regards
Charissa Ramirez

UX Team, Digital Channels

**********************************************************************************
This email message and any attached files is confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and/or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you have received this email in error, delete all copies and notify the sender.

This email is subject to copyright. No part of it should be reproduced, published, communicated or adapted without the copyright owner's written consent. No employee or agent is authorised to conclude any binding agreement on behalf of the Department of Customer Service (DCS) by email without express written confirmation.

The views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the DCS. DCS accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of this email and the recipient should check this email and any attached files for the presence of viruses.

**********************************************************************************