Colours Matter

The NRL State of Origin is upon us, with NSW and QLD set to go head-to-head once again.  Referred to as “Australian sport’s greatest rivalry”, the State of Origin series is one of Australia’s premier sporting events, attracting huge television audiences and usually selling out the stadiums in which the games are played. It is regularly described as being the pinnacle of rugby league, even in comparison with international competitions.

I was sitting down to watch Game 1 of the series with my mates. Rather than discussing the rivalry between the two teams, as one of my friends is colour-blind, we found ourselves discussing the fact that he could not distinguish between the 2 teams given the choice of colours between the jerseys.

The controversy surrounding the new NSW rugby league team’s Origin jersey design has been prominent in the news of late, which features a predominantly navy-blue design.  Critics have called the jersey “outrageously stupid” and have even requested that the team not wear it for their upcoming match. However, there are also supporters of the jersey, who believe that it is a good way to pay tribute to the state’s navy history and distinct identity. In short, the new jersey stirred up mixed opinions among rugby league fans and became a point of discussion leading up to the Origin opener.

This conversation is particularly relevant when we consider that many people across a wide range of ages and genders experience some degree of colour-blindness.

Colour-blindness is a condition that affects around 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women worldwide. It is a genetic disorder that interferes with the way people see and perceive colours. People with colour blindness have difficulty distinguishing certain colours, typically reds and greens, but also occasionally blues and yellows.

There are three main types of colour blindness: red-green, blue-yellow, and total colour blindness. In red-green colour blindness, the red and green receptors in the eyes overlap, leading to difficulty distinguishing between red and green colours. Blue-yellow colour blindness is less common and leads to a difficulty distinguishing between blue and green hues. Total colour blindness, as the name suggests, is extremely rare and results in an almost complete inability to perceive colour, seeing only black and white or shades of grey.

Colour-blindness can be challenging to live with, as it impairs the ability to recognize certain colours. It may also limit career opportunities that involve working with colours, such as graphic design, painting, or fashion design. However, with the help of assistive tools such as specialized eyeglasses or smartphone apps, people with colour blindness can effectively distinguish different colours and mitigate some of the challenges they face.

Colour-blindness is more common than we might think and can affect people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities. It’s important to be aware of the condition and to create an inclusive environment that accommodates the needs of people with colour blindness.

Considering this, I wanted to discuss the importance of colour-contrast and luminance contrast, and the difference between the two, when applied to the built environment.

Luminance contrast is defined in Australian Standard 1428.1-2009 as ‘the light reflected from one surface or component, compared to the light reflected from another surface or component’. It is not the difference in the colour or the colour contrast, but the difference in the light reflective properties of each colour.

Effective luminance contrast is required on a variety of installations to assist people with vision impairment to differentiate between the installations, and background or adjacent surfaces.  This assists with navigating throughout the built environment.

Luminance contrast must be provided in a range of installations such as to identify a door within a wall, a toilet pan within a toilet facility, a glazing strip across a glass door, TGSIs at the top and bottom of a set of stairs or a ramp.

Colour contrast is the difference between two colours.  Some people with vision impairment may not be able to differentiate colour contrast, but they will be able to differentiate luminance contrast.

Where possible both luminous and colour contrast should be used.

It’s fascinating how a conversation about rugby league jerseys can lead to a discussion on the importance of inclusive design practices. It’s critical that we consider the needs of everyone, including those with vision impairments, when designing any product, installation, or environment. In the case of colour-blindness, it’s essential to prioritize both colour contrast and luminance contrast to ensure people can differentiate and navigate safely throughout the built environment.