Advice for Teachers
Practical tips to make your classroom inclusive for students with color vision deficiencies — small adjustments that make a big difference.
Important: You Almost Certainly Have Colorblind Students
Never assume you don't have any colorblind children in your class — statistically, it is very unlikely that you don't. Color vision deficiency affects approximately 8% of males and 0.5% of females. In an average mixed classroom, at least one student will be colorblind. Color is used extensively throughout schools as a teaching tool, which makes awareness and accommodation essential.
Why This Matters in School
Color is used extensively in schools — particularly in pre-school and primary school — as a means of classification, to create interest, and to provide a stimulating environment. Colorblind children cannot read color-on-color reading books, yet many school books and worksheets are designed exactly this way. By making minor adjustments you can dramatically improve the experience for every colorblind student in your class.
Classroom Tips
1. Never assume you have no colorblind children.
Statistically, there will be on average one colorblind individual per group of mixed individuals. In an average class of 25 boys, at least two are likely to have some form of color vision deficiency. Never assume you don't have any colorblind children in your class.
2. Use white chalk on the chalkboard.
Some teachers prefer yellow or pink chalk to add variety, but these colors are extremely hard to see on a green chalkboard for a colorblind child. Always use white chalk. When using a whiteboard or projector, use high-contrast colors.
3. Xerox textbook materials in black and white.
By copying colored materials in black and white on white paper, students will be able to see all the different sections. When working from colored textbooks, provide a printed black and white copy. Always use white paper for copies — not yellow or colored paper.
4. Teach children the colors of common items.
Colorblind children benefit from learning the color of common items — sky is blue, grass is green, bananas are yellow. This gives them a frame of reference when dealing with colors in everyday life. This kind of teaching benefits the colorblind child enormously.
5. Stop color-coding or label colors below.
Stop color-coding your notes, instructions, and materials — or at minimum, write the color name below the color symbol so the colorblind student can still access the information. A colorblind child cannot reliably distinguish between red and green labels.
6. Help with standardized tests.
Standardized tests often require students to "highlight the red square" or "circle the green dot." Write the color names below or provide annotation. A colorblind student who doesn't know the color name cannot correctly answer the question regardless of their intelligence.
7. Label all craft and art supplies.
When doing art projects, label all craft items — markers, crayons, colored paper, paint jars. Do not deduct points from a colorblind child for color-related mistakes. What appears obvious to a normally-sighted child is genuinely invisible to a colorblind one.
The Waggoner Color Vision Test is fast, accurate, and can be administered in any school setting.
Learn MoreQuestions? info@testingcolorvision.com