High Contrast
An accessibility display mode with enhanced visual contrast, bolder outlines, and larger symbol areas. Designed for users with low vision, visual impairments, or conditions that make standard displays difficult to read — while keeping full vocabulary, text labels, and Fitzgerald color coding intact.
What is High Contrast Mode?
A display mode that amplifies visual differences — stronger colors, thicker borders, higher contrast between symbols and backgrounds — making every element on the communication board easier to see and distinguish.
Enhanced Visual Clarity
High Contrast mode increases the color saturation and contrast ratio across the entire communication board. Symbol outlines become bolder, backgrounds become more distinct, and text labels are rendered with maximum readability.
The result is a board that's dramatically easier to see for users with low vision, age-related visual decline, or conditions like cortical visual impairment (CVI) that affect visual processing.
All Information Preserved
Unlike Symbols Only mode, High Contrast keeps everything visible — text labels, Fitzgerald color coding, category backgrounds, and symbol details. Nothing is removed; everything is amplified.
This makes High Contrast ideal for users who benefit from text and color cues but need them to be more visually prominent. The full information layer stays intact, just easier to see.
Optimized for Low Vision
Every design decision in High Contrast mode is guided by low vision accessibility research. Color combinations meet WCAG AAA contrast standards. Font weights are increased. Touch targets are visually emphasized with stronger borders.
The mode works alongside device-level accessibility features like zoom, VoiceOver, and display accommodations — adding a communication-specific layer of visual enhancement.
Key Features
High Contrast mode makes the communication board visually accessible without removing any information.
Bold Symbol Outlines
Thicker, higher-contrast borders around every symbol make them stand out clearly from the background.
Enhanced Color Saturation
Fitzgerald colors are intensified for better visibility while maintaining their category meaning.
Larger Text Labels
Text beneath symbols is rendered bolder and slightly larger for improved readability.
High Contrast Backgrounds
Background colors are adjusted to maximize the contrast ratio with symbols and text.
Instant Toggle
Switch High Contrast on or off from settings at any time. The grid layout stays identical.
Full Vocabulary Access
All 2,000+ symbols, categories, speech output, and sentence building remain fully functional.
Who Benefits from High Contrast?
Designed for users who need enhanced visual accessibility while still benefiting from text and color information.
Low Vision Users
People with reduced visual acuity who need stronger visual cuesCortical Visual Impairment
Users with CVI who process high-contrast images more effectivelyAge-Related Vision Loss
Elderly users with declining eyesight who still read text labelsBright Environment Use
Outdoor or brightly lit settings where screen visibility is reducedVisual Fatigue
Users who experience eye strain with standard contrast levelsColor Vision Deficiency
Enhanced saturation helps distinguish Fitzgerald category colorsMotor & Vision Combined
Users with both motor and visual difficulties who need clear touch targetsTransitional Use
A stepping stone between standard display and Symbols Only for progressive needsHow It Compares
High Contrast sits between the standard Symbol Grid and Symbols Only — enhanced visibility with full information.
Full symbols, text labels, and Fitzgerald color coding at standard contrast. For users with typical vision.
Same information as Symbol Grid but with amplified contrast, bolder outlines, and enhanced colors. For low vision users.
Symbols without text or color coding. Maximum simplicity for users who rely solely on visual recognition.
High Contrast Resources
Guides and materials for setting up and using High Contrast mode effectively.
Low Vision Setup Guide
How to enable High Contrast, combine with device accessibility settings, and optimize for individual visual needs.
CVI & Visual Processing Guide
Best practices for using High Contrast with users who have cortical visual impairment or visual processing disorders.
Classroom & Clinic Guide
Tips for therapists and teachers on integrating High Contrast mode into educational and clinical settings.
Try High Contrast today
Download Isaac AAC for free and switch to High Contrast — available in every installation, ready for users who need enhanced visual accessibility.
