APCA

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APCA

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APCA in a Nutshell

Accessible Perceptual Contrast Algorithm is a new method for calculating and predicting readability contrast. APCA is a part of the larger S-Luv Accessible Color Appearance Model known as SACAM (formerly SAPC). These models are specifically related to color appearance on self-illuminated RGB computer displays & devices, and also for modeling accessible user needs, with a focus on readability.

Lightness contrast Lc

The APCA generates a lightness/darkness contrast value based on a minimum font size and color pair, and this value is perceptually based: that is, regardless of how light or dark the colors are, a contrast value of Lc 60 represents the same perceived readability contrast. This is absolutely not the case with WCAG 2.x, which far overstates contrast for dark colors to the point that 4.5:1 can be functionally unreadable when a color is near black. As a result, WCAG 2.x contrast cannot be used for guidance designing “dark mode”.

The APCA contrast value is perceptually uniform, and pivots near the point where the CS curve flattens due to contrast constancy. Halving or doubling the APCA value relates to a halving or doubling of the perceived contrast. There is a subtle weighting for higher contrasts to smaller, thinner fonts.

Different Uses, Different Contrasts

The APCA has a set of levels related to use cases — for instance, Lc 90 is preferred and Lc 75 is the minimum for body text. This makes for an easy way to use ACPA, very similar to 1.4.3 in terms of ease of use.

The APCA also has an optional lookup table to associate font size and weight to the readability contrast (Lc value). The lookup tables allow for even greater accuracy and therefore greater flexibility in design.

Failing Pass/Fail

A key takeaway is that a strict pass/fail with a blanket contrast ratio is not instructive as a guideline, and does not necessarily solve a given user need. In fact, user needs when it comes to contrast are conflicting—what is good for one can be harmful to another. This is even true of font size.

This points to the importance of real user personalization, an area where the technology is literally missing (and a work in progress). For the guidelines though, we can set ranges for targets and expectations toward making the web readable for all.

Use-Case & Size Ranges

These general levels are appropriate for use by themselves, without the need to reference a lookup table. APCA reports contrast as an Lc value (lightness contrast) from Lc 0 to Lc 105+. For accessibility, consider Lc 15 the point of invisibility for many users, and Lc 90 is preferred for body text.

These define the basic minimum levels, what you might think of as AA in the old WCAG 2. For the equivelent to AAA, simply increase the contrast values by Lc 15.

NOTES ON FONT SIZE

Range Based Scoring

While WCAG 3 is still in development, it includes a range-based conformance system. While it considers on multiple factors, it is simple enough to be fully automated, and does not rely on an arbitrary pass/fail binary scoring.

The overall approach improves design flexibility and readability at the same time. Readability is improved by increasing contrast in blocks of body text where it is most needed, and design flexibility is achieved by relaxing contrast for large non-text elements which do not need brute-force contrast levels due to their larger size (resulting in a lower spatial frequency).

For demonstration purposes, the example tool provides real-time updates of minimum font size and weight vs contrast: https://www.myndex.com/APCA/ click on the color patches to bring up a color-picker.

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