When working on websites for universities, making sure everyone can use them is really important. This means paying special attention to color contrast—especially for people who might have trouble seeing colors or reading text. Here are some easy tips to keep in mind based on what I've learned:

1. Why Color Contrast Matters

Color contrast is super important! It helps users read the text and see different parts of a webpage clearly. If the contrast is bad, it can be frustrating and hard to navigate.

2. Follow WCAG Guidelines

It’s good to know about the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These guidelines tell us how to choose colors that work well together. Here’s a quick point to remember:

• Minimum Contrast Ratio: Try to have a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for regular text and 3:1 for big text. If you can, aim for an even better 7:1 ratio!

3. Use Tools to Test Colors

You don’t have to guess if your color choices work. There are online tools that can help:

• Contrast Checker: Use something like the WebAIM Color Contrast Checker. You can plug in your colors to see if they meet the needed standards.
• Browser Extensions: You can also add tools to your web browser that check colors while you’re building your site.

4. Don’t Use Color Alone

Make sure that color isn’t the only way to share information. For example, if you use colors for error messages, also add icons or words. This helps people who might not be able to tell colors apart.

5. Pick a Good Color Palette

Choose colors that contrast well with each other. Here are some tips:

• Stay away from very bright or neon colors since they can make it hard to read.
• Use colors that go well together. This helps with both looking nice and being easy to read.

6. Test with Real Users

If you can, get people from different backgrounds to try out your website. Their feedback can show you problems you didn’t see before. This step can really help you understand how others view your site.

7. Keep Accessibility in Mind from the Start

Always remember that making your site accessible is something to consider from the beginning. It’s easier and makes the final product much better.

In summary, focusing on color contrast makes university websites better for everyone. It not only helps those with visual challenges but also improves the overall experience for all users. Happy coding!