Accessible colour: the challenges of colour blindness

Colour Blindness is one of the world’s most common visual disabilities, affecting an estimated 300 million people globally (1 in 12 males and 1 in 200 females).

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It impacts all walks of life including education, sport and career pathways, with limited awareness often cited. This open lecture will outline the background of colour blindness and the latest research from Oxford Brookes. Moreover, there will be guidance on how we can create colour blind inclusive environments to support and overcome the challenges colour blind individuals face.

Dr Adam Bibbey is an Associate Professor of Sport and Exercise Psychology at Oxford Brookes. He is colour blind thus has the lived experience of the challenges he has faced. He has worked with international football associations, local schools and the government to educate coaches and teachers on how to support colour blind individuals. His work has been discussed in the Houses of Parliament and has also led to policy change.

Marie DiFolco is an author and advocate specialising in Accessible Colour. Her book, Supporting Colour Blindness in Education and Beyond, is informed by over a decade of voluntary work, her lived experience as the parent of a son with Protanopia (red deficiency). Alongside her role as Operations Manager at a firm of naval architects, Marie champions inclusive colour use across education, design, and industry.