Hello everyone,
_*Feature suggestion:*_
When a user changes the background color or the actual color of a text
element that results in a low contrast, show a notification that
provides additional information regarding either to
a) technical correct blackening out of text or
b) notes on accessibility guidelines
probably including a link to relevant help articles
I would suggest to provide a suiting notification for either (a) or (b),
depending on the contrast factor.
*
_Reasoning:_*
This feature request is based on observed user errors in the political
and accessibility context (part of my profession).
*Regarding (a): *I've observed several instances where users from a
political context intended to redact/blacken out text (to hide
confidential information), but were unaware that just changing the
background color, won't result in an actual blackening out of the text,
when e.g. exporting a document as a PDF.
Personally observed instances where this happened:
* in the US in the past days with the release of certain documents from
the Epstein files
<https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/us/politics/epstein-files-redactions-doj.html>
* in several instances in the US, which resulted in a article by the NSA
on proper redaction
<https://www.cnet.com/news/privacy/editing-tips-from-the-nsa/> in 2006
* in a Swiss cantonal school commission (which I've been a member of;
but I can't disclose details)
I've come to realize that a majority of users may never be properly
trained on proper redaction.
*Regarding (b): *Ensuring accessibility for all users is an increasingly
important factor, partially due to demographic changes in most
populations (i.e. an increasing number of users with age-related issues).
e.g. consider the European Accessibility Act
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Accessibility_Act>, which
intends that an increasing number companies are fullfilling WCAG
guidelines
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_Content_Accessibility_Guidelines>.
A common problem concerns ensuring accurate contrast between foreground
and background. In the current WCAG 2 guidelines there are distinctions
concerning AA (e.g. related to EAA regulation for companies) and AAA
levels (mostly related to digital governmental services). There's also a
novel contrast calculation called APCA, which uses a more complicated
formula to calculate a contrast ratio than in WCAG 2, but provides a
better rule of thumb for human contrast perception, based on scientific
research and might be part of an upcoming WCAG 3 standard. I suggest to
check out contrast checkers on the web <https://colorcontrast.app/>, in
case you're not familiar with these topics yet.
*_
Additional notes:_*
I'm sorry in case my suggestion ended up on the wrong place and would be
more than happy - given that was the case - that someone would forward
this suggestion to the proper mailing list.
I'm well aware that (a) and (b) are unrelated on a technical level.
best & thanks in advance for any consideration
- Pat Mächler
UX and Accessibility specialist
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