News & Tips

Thanks to the Job Accommodation Network for these Color Vision Deficiency insights! 

Color Vision Deficiency (CVD) is the inability to distinguish between some colors and shades. Most people with this condition can identify some colors. Few people are totally “color blind.”

Color filters, such as a special red contact lens worn on one eye or prescription glasses may be used to help some people with a color deficiency.  Talk to your eye care specialist about color enhancement lenses. The lenses are designed to significantly improve color discrimination for people with color vision deficiency. ColorMax, ChromaGen, EnChroma and X-Chrome are among some of the lenses (contacts and glasses) that may be an option.

In addition, hand-held talking devices are available that will scan a color and announce a description of the color (originally designed for individuals who are blind). Your State AT Program may have devices to trial (for free or a small fee). Examples include the Speechmaster Talking Color Identifier and the Colorino Color Identifier.

Numerous smartphone apps also assist persons with color vision deficiency to distinguish colors and shades. Examples include Color Blind Pal (free for iOS and Android) and Color Binoculars (free for iOS only).

Software is also available to help PC-users distinguish colors. These include Dalton (apps for Windows or Chrome), and Vision (also Windows or Chrome).

Learn more at this AskJan.org webpage.