Siteimprove Accessibility for Designers: What Is the Vision Explorer Tool?

Answer

Preview your selected frame through four color-vision groups — full color vision, monochromacy, red-green confusion, and blue-yellow confusion — to spot information that relies too heavily on color. Switching between modes is instant, it works in Dev Mode, and you can save any view to the canvas as part of a shared sidebar.

Overview

The Vision Explorer is an interactive tool available from the Home screen of the Siteimprove Accessibility for Designers. Unlike an accessibility check that scans a frame, Vision Explorer helps you visualize how designs may appear to users with different types of color vision.

What the Vision Explorer Does

Preview your selected frame through four color-vision groups:

• Full color vision
• Monochromacy
• Red-green confusion
• Blue-yellow confusion

The tool helps you identify information that relies too heavily on color.

Additional capabilities include:

• Switching between modes instantly
• Working in Dev Mode
• Saving any view to the canvas as part of a shared sidebar

Why It Matters

Designs that rely solely on color to communicate meaning can create barriers for users with color-vision deficiencies. Vision Explorer helps designers identify potential issues early in the design process and evaluate how content appears across different color-vision groups.

Key Takeaways

• Vision Explorer previews designs through four color-vision groups.
• It helps identify information that relies too heavily on color.
• Views can be switched instantly for rapid evaluation.
• The tool works in Dev Mode.
• Simulated views can be saved to the canvas as part of a shared sidebar.