In today’s digital landscape, accessibility is essential. Whether you’re designing graphics, editing videos, or crafting social media posts, ensuring your content is inclusive should be a priority. Color contrast in design matters. Yes, I am looking at you! The ones that put white text on a yellow background /hj.
Let’s break down color contrast and key tools and principles to help you create accessible content, namely Canva’s Accessibility Checker and Adobe’s video captioning tools in PremierePro and Adobe Express.
Canva Accessibility Checker
Canva’s built-in Design Accessibility Checker helps identify and fix common accessibility issues. Here’s how to use it.
Accessing the Accessibility Tool
Here is a YouTube short I made to demonstrate how it works! How Canva Accessibility Checker Works
First, Open your design in Canva. Then, go to File > Settings > Check Design Accessibility.
What does It check for?
- Typography: Flags text smaller than 12pt (hard to read for low-vision users).
- Color Contrast: Alerts you if text/background pairs don’t meet WCAG standards.
- Alt Text: Reminds you to add descriptions for images (critical for screen readers).
Fixing Issues
Use Canva’s suggested color palettes for better contrast and resize small text and add alt text via right-clicking images.
While not foolproof, this tool is a great starting point. For example, a poster with light gray text on a white background might look sleek, but the Canva checker will flag its poor contrast, prompting you to choose a darker shade for readability.
Adobe Video Captions: Beyond Auto-Generated Text
Platforms like YouTube offer auto-captions, but they can be filled with errors. Here’s how to do better with Adobe.
In Adobe Premiere Pro
- To Generate Transcripts:
Use Text > Speech to Text to auto-generate a transcript from your audio. - Create Captions: Convert the transcript to captions and sync them to your timeline.
- Style & Export: Adjust font, color, and positioning in the
- Essential Graphics Panel. Export as SRT files (for closed captions) or burn them into the video (open captions).
Why do captions matter
Accurate captions ensure clarity for deaf users, autistic and other neurodivergent folks too.
As a deaf professional, watching tutorials or interviews without captions makes it impossible for me to understand the content. At the same time, inaccuracy in captions adds extra work for my cognitive functioning.
Color Contrast: The Invisible Barrier
Color contrast measures the brightness difference between text and its background.
The WCAG recommends: 4.5:1 for normal text. 3:1 for large text (18pt+).
Examples of Bad Contrast
Light gray text (#CCCCCC) on a white background has a 1.6:1 ratio nearly invisible to users with low vision or color blindness.
How to Fix Contrast Issues
- Use tools like WebAIM Contrast Checker and Color and Font Accessibility Simulator
- Opt for high-contrast pairs like black/white or navy/cream.
Why Auto Generated Captions Aren’t Enough
YouTube’s auto-captions might seem convenient, but they’re unreliable.
Accuracy issues caused by Background noise, accents, or AI generated speech can create errors.
People often forget to toggle auto generated captions on leaving their video 100% inaccessible.
Inclusive Design Requires Forethought
Accessibility a checkbox off your bucket list. It is a commitment to inclusivity.
Use tools like Canva’s checker, Adobe’s captioning features, and mindful color choices, you create content that’s not just compliant but inclusive.
Remember: great design is felt by everyone.
Tas The Artist 
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