By: Amanda Tull and Jessica Wingard Region VIII Center for Assistive Technology

 It affects people everyday  Color is an “adjuster” to our emotions  Color affects us physiologically  Color and Disability  Color as Assistive Technology  Color and Computer Technology  Color in Our Schools Judith Sweeny, Colorful Teaching

Jealousy – the green monster Sadness and Distress – having the blues or black mood Anger – seeing red Our mood is affected everyday by colors that are used on signs, labels, packaging, room colors, lighting, and clothing colors. Advertisers use color to evoke emotional responses in people. Judith Sweeny, Colorful Teaching

 heart rate  blood pressure  respiration Certain colors have been known to change body function Judith Sweeny, Colorful Teaching

Red Yellow Magenta Lime Green Stimulati ng Colors Calming Colors Green Blue Brown Grey Black Judith Sweeny, Colorful Teaching

Antonio F. Torrice suggests that certain colors influence certain body systems: Red: motor skill activities Orange: circulatory system Yellow: cardiopulmonary Green: speech activity Blue: eyes, ears, nose Violet: non-verbal activity

Preference Tendencies for Students with Disabilities

 Problem: Lack of attention  Suggestion : Most vivid colors to aid stimulation  Problem: Confuse similar words  Suggestion: Try various colors  Problem: Uneven arousal state ( tend to drift)  Suggestion: Stimulate with bright colors to focus attention Don Johnston –Using Colors to Meet Special Needs

In most cases white is seen as a neutral background color and other colors, even when used in smaller proportion, are the colors that convey the most meaning in a design. Use white to signify cleanliness or purity or softness. In most cases white is seen as a neutral background color and other colors, even when used in smaller proportion, are the colors that convey the most meaning in a design. Use white to signify cleanliness or purity or softness.

Autism/PPD Suggestion: Try various colors Recommended: Light Blue or green background Behavior problems Suggestion: various, try dark backgrounds Developmental Delays Suggestion: Red background. Usually prefer red on screen ( either text or background) Don Johnston –Using Colors to Meet Special Needs

Dyslexia Suggestions: Dark Colors Try Black text on dark blue background Learning Disability Suggestions: Often blues and greens Don Johnston –Using Colors to Meet Special Needs

Retina based visual impairments Suggestions: Sharp contrast with vibrant colors. Can depend on type of retinal damage Try yellow text on red background with bright blue cursor. OR yellow text on blue background with red cursor Don Johnston –Using Colors to Meet Special Needs

Colored notebook papers Colored inks, Highlighters Highlighting tape Colored copy paper Colored light bulbs Reading Helpers Report covers Colored index dividers

Change color contrast (background and text) -Control Panel (PC) and Universal Access Mac Software to change text /background color & cursor - Word, WriteOutloud, Adobe Acrobat, Inspiration, Kurzweil, Zoom text, CueLine reader and many more.

 Language/Grammar based Color Coding Parts of Speech ColorExamples VerbsPinkDrink, open, get Descriptors (adj. and adverbs) BluePretty, slowly PrepositionsGreenIn, On, Under NounsYellowGirl, car, truck Miscellaneous WH words Exclamations Negations Pronouns OrangeWho, What, When Oh, Wow No, Don’t I, he, they, you Caroline Musselwhite (1999) and the Irlen Institute

Color Coding Communication Symbols :  Try printing symbols on different colored paper.  Make different background colors  It is recommended that the symbol and word have a white background and remaining have color  Use parts of speech color coding for lessons Printing on colored paper:  In a study, students with autism had more accurate scanning and symbol recognition when their symbols were printed on yellow paper rather than the standard white. Caroline Musselwhite (1999) and the Irlen Institute

 We are going to take a quiz to see what you have learned about color in this presentation!!!

 Color Meaning- - htm  Color Psychology  Irlen Institute -  Dyslexia article -  Info on See it Right -  Don Johnston handout on color - g_colors.html g_colors.html