15.5 Colour alone has been used to identify an error (H)

'First name' error message highlighted on the timetables page

FIGURE 15.9: ‘First name’ error message highlighted on the timetables page

15.5.1 WCAG 1.4.1 (A), 1.4.3 (AA) -

When the user skips over a form field, an error message ‘Please specify your first name’ appears on the Timetables form in red text. Colour alone has been used to indicate the error, which is problematic to colour blind users.

Furthermore, the colour contrast between the red text and the blue background fails to meet the colour contrast minimum of 4.5:1 for small text.

This issue also persists on the Registration form page.

15.5.2 Recommendation

Implement an icon to represent that an error has occurred on the page to help colour blind users and users with cognitive disabilities identify where the error has occurred on the page.

Ensure that the colour contrast of the error message and the background colour meets the minimum requirements of 4.5:1.