Low Vision Simulator | Accessibility at Arizona

Toggle one or more conditions below, then scroll through the sample content to see the effect. This is an approximation — real experiences vary by individual.

Vision conditions

Cataracts / Blur Blurred vision, like looking through frosted glass Low Contrast Reduced ability to distinguish light from dark Protanopia Red-blind — reds appear dark, mix with greens Deuteranopia Green-blind — greens and reds look similar Tritanopia Blue-blind — blues and yellows are confused Achromatopsia Total color blindness — grayscale only Tunnel Vision Only a small central area is visible (glaucoma, RP) Macular Degeneration Central vision is lost; peripheral remains

No conditions active

Welcome to the University of Arizona

The University of Arizona is committed to making all digital content accessible to every student, faculty member, staff member, and visitor. Accessibility is not an afterthought — it is a core principle of inclusive design.

Sample Hero Image

Learn about our accessibility services, review WCAG 2.2 guidelines, or schedule a consultation with our team.

Status Indicators

These status labels rely on color alone (an accessibility problem):

Approved Rejected Pending In Review

Color Palette

Sample Form

First name Last name

Buttons

Primary Action Secondary Action

Small Print

Cataracts

Affects 24 million Americans over 40. The eye’s lens becomes cloudy, creating a blurred, hazy view. Good contrast and large text help.

Color Blindness

About 8% of men and 0.5% of women have some form. Red-green (protanopia, deuteranopia) is most common. Never use color as the sole indicator of meaning.

Low Contrast Sensitivity

Common with aging, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. Text below 4.5:1 contrast becomes illegible. WCAG AA requires 4.5:1 for normal text.

Tunnel Vision

Caused by glaucoma or retinitis pigmentosa. Only a narrow central field remains. Users need content that doesn’t require wide-field scanning.

Macular Degeneration

Leading cause of vision loss for people over 50. Central vision is lost first, making reading difficult. Peripheral vision remains.

Design Takeaways

Use sufficient contrast, don’t rely on color alone, provide text alternatives, support zoom to 200%, and test with real users.

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