How Effective Are Indicators for Individuals with Colour Vision Deficiency?

Coloured indicators, whether solution or paper based, are often used in laboratory courses and academic/industrial research as a qualitative method to test important experimental markers. While useful, these tools present challenges to those with colour vision deficiency (CVD), who are unable to interpret the same results as their peers. What’s more, some of these tools aren’t as useful in determining important reaction specifics. This commentary presents the perspective of four individuals, three with CVD and one with trichromatic (normal) vision, on how easily coloured indicators are interpreted and how we can address any difficulties in a laboratory setting.