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Success Criterion 1.4.3 - Level AA

Contrast (Minimum)

Ensure that the contrast ratio between the text color and background color is at least 4.5:1. For bold and large text, a contrast ratio of 3:1 is sufficient. By maintaining these ratios, visually impaired and color blind users can usually read the text well. In addition, this makes an app easier for everyone to use, for example outside in the sun.

Impact

  • If text has too little contrast, visually impaired people cannot read it well.

  • Sufficient contrast makes an app easier for everyone to use. For example, outside in the sun.

Check

"Is the contrast of normal text at least 4.5:1 and the contrast of bold or large text at least 3:1?"

You can take a screenshot of an app to determine the color codes and calculate the contrast. This can be done, for example, with the Contrast Checker of WebAIM.

Solution

Calculate contrast

On Android, you can use the Accessibility Scanner app to detect contrast issues automatically.

// No code required

Support dark mode

On Android, you can detect dark mode by checking if the uiMode configuration contains UI_MODE_NIGHT_MASK.

By adding -night resources to your project you can let Android automatically pick the right resources. For example, add a colors.xml file inside a values-night folder to specify night mode colors.

fun Context.isInNightMode(): Boolean {
    val nightModeFlags = resources.configuration.uiMode and Configuration.UI_MODE_NIGHT_MASK
    return nightModeFlags == Configuration.UI_MODE_NIGHT_YES
}

Resources

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