A Call for Awareness and Action
A groundbreaking study by EnChroma found compelling evidence demonstrating the barriers types of color blindness can pose to learning in school. The study, which surveyed nearly a thousand people affected by Color Vision Deficiency (CVD), included students - most of whom are red green colorblind - and their parents. It reveals a widespread issue that has long been overlooked in our educational systems.
The Unseen Struggle
A staggering 78% of respondents reported frequent frustration and confusion due to a decreased ability to interpret color-coded information in school assignments and activities. This frustration is not just a minor inconvenience; for one in three, it directly impacts their self-confidence in school. Moreover, 30% of participants felt they were perceived as "slow learners" before they became aware they are red green colorblind (deutan color blind and protan color blindness) or have another form of color blindness. The findings highlight a critical gap in our educational approach—recognizing and accommodating the needs of color blind students.
A Personal Touch
The personal accounts shared by survey respondents shed light on the real-world implications of color blindness in education. Stories of being labeled "stupid" for not coloring correctly, or having to change majors due to an inability to pass color-dependent coursework, illustrate the profound impact CVD can have on a student's academic and personal life.
A Delay in Diagnosis
One of the most alarming revelations from the study is the delay in diagnosing color blindness. With only 11 of 50 states administering a color blind test to schoolchildren (according to EnChroma research in 2010), a significant number of students remain unaware of their condition well into their academic journey. Nearly half of the respondents discovered their color blindness after seventh grade, with nearly 20% not finding out until high school or even later. This delay not only exacerbates the challenges faced by color blind students, but also deprives them and their parents of awareness of their condition so they can seek reasonable accommodations and support.
The Call for Change
EnChroma is calling for more awareness about the types of colorblindness and its effects among parents, educators and legislators. The study serves as a stark reminder that color blindness is not just a minor inconvenience but can be a barrier that hinders a student's learning experience, confidence and academic success in areas. A universal commitment to require a color vision test in K-12 schools in all states and countries, and as part of orientation for college freshman, is necessary. Additionally, adapting learning materials to ensure a level playing field for students with all types of colorblindness (red-green color blindness such as deutan color blind and protan color blindness, and blue-yellow color blindness) should become standard practice for educators at all levels. This 2023 Op-Ed in The Washington Post calls on educators to address the issue.
A Call to Action
The EnChroma study serves as a clarion call for systemic change in how we address color blindness in educational settings. With 81% of respondents believing that teachers should adapt teaching materials for color blind students and 87% supporting mandatory testing for CVD, it is clear that there is a strong desire for more inclusive practices in education.
Bridging the Gap
In response to these challenges, several prestigious universities such as Boston University, North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina, and the University of Hamburg, now support “color accessibility” by loaning EnChroma glasses to red green colorblind students and educating staff about adapting materials to accommodate CVD students. This is a positive step towards creating a more accessible and supportive educational environment.
EnChroma's Color Accessibility Program offers resources, support, and advocacy for color accessibility in schools and beyond. By providing a free color blind test and educational materials, EnChroma is trying to ensure that color blindness does not remain an invisible barrier to learning. By fostering awareness, promoting early testing, and adapting our educational practices, we can create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students, regardless of their color vision.
Other Key Highlights from the EnChroma Study:
- Four out of ten color blind students try to avoid schoolwork and activities involving color, and nearly half are less interested in painting, drawing, nature walks and field trips to art museums
- More than 1 in three color blind people say teachers got frustrated with them when they couldn’t understand schoolwork involving color
- Only one in four parents tell teachers that their child is color blind, and only 20% of teachers adapt schoolwork to accommodate color vision deficient students
- One in four were teased by classmates or teachers due to being color blind
- Two of three parents worry about color blindness affecting their child’s education
To read comments from color blind respondents about their educational experiences click here.
