HP Intelligent Management Center Standard Software Platform - Manual (Page 771)

Contrasting colors
Users with limited vision may be unable to distinguish between colors. To
test the color contrast in your report, print or view a black and white copy.
You should be able to distinguish between values or fields displayed in
different colors (in a pie chart, for example).
If you cannot distinguish between colors on the report, try different colors or
use gray shading. If this does not resolve the issue, you can change other
characteristics.
For text, use the Format Editor to change the font, size, or style. You can
add borders, underlining, or background shading to differentiate text objects
from each other.
For charts, use a combination of shading and patterns. You can automatically
convert a color chart to a black and white one using the Chart Expert, or you
can select values individually and choose your own patterns.
Using color to convey information
Do not use color as the only identifying characteristic for critical information
in a report.
For example, a text object may instruct users to "click the green button" to
open a subreport. Users with limited vision cannot tell which button is green.
The button should be recognizable by another defining characteristic besides
its color. For example, you can change the button graphic to a shape that is
not used elsewhere on the report, and instruct users to "click the green arrow
button". This solution provides color information for people who can
distinguish colors, and extra information for people who cannot.
Other common situations where color may be used to provide important
information include:
• Highlighting
To highlight particular values in a table, do not change only the color of
the value. If you highlight outstanding invoices in red, for example, they
may look the same as the paid invoices to someone with limited vision.
In the Highlighting Expert dialog box, change a font characteristic other
than color, such as font style.
Crystal Reports 2008 SP3 User's Guide 771
C Creating Accessible Reports
Improving report accessibility